Category: The Citizen

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday he would cut taxes on electricity bills in his first attempt to ease a lengthy cost-of-living crisis that has angered the public and helped stoke political instability.

In his second day in his new role, Burnham said his government would remove the value-added tax from domestic electricity bills from October 1, cutting around £45 from the average annual bill of around £1,862 that households pay.

With bond investors watching closely for how any fiscal support would be paid for, he said the move would be funded by savings from the cancellation of a £1.8 billion ($2.42 billion) digital ID programme, which he announced on Sunday. “We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets and bring back hope,” he said in a statement, having pledged to give people more “breathing space” in their lives.

Burnham tries to move quickly to offer support

The energy announcement is designed to show that Burnham will move quickly to improve living standards after years of stagnation.

But in the first sign his call for unity in the governing Labour Party ?might fall flat, an ally of former prime minister Keir Starmer, Darren Jones, said the digital ID scheme was unfunded, questioning whether the new leader had the money to cover his policy move on energy bills.

“The government will have to set out how it will pay for its new policies at the budget,” he said on X.

Energy bills have been one of the main drivers of Britain’s cost-of-living crisis after the wholesale gas price, which heavily influences British electricity prices, surged after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Conservative government at the time spent billions of pounds to shield households through an energy price guarantee. But while prices eased from mid-2023, they remain up to 60% higher than before the energy crisis. They have also increased in recent months due to the Iran war.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition welcomed the move as a sign of positive intent but added: “It does not address the scale of what households are facing, with millions still left paying an unaffordable share of their income on energy and record levels of energy debt built up over successive winters of high bills.”

Revolving door of leaders

Burnham has vowed to kick off a programme he believes can ?turn Britain around, hoping a bolder agenda can win back voters to the governing Labour Party and fight a challenge from the populist Reform UK, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.

There is a lot at stake.

Dubbed the “King of the North” for his dogged defence of the northwestern English area of Greater Manchester when mayor, Burnham is the most popular leader of Britain’s main political parties and has overwhelming support in Labour.

But Britain’s revolving door of prime ministers over the past decade has underlined how quickly parties can move against leaders who are not seen as delivering for voters, and Burnham will have to move quickly to stamp his ?authority on the government.

He wants to hit the ground running.

In his first speech as prime minister on Monday, Burnham said his first ambition was to end rough sleeping in Britain, but also that he wanted people to feel the change in government in their pockets quickly.

Markets watching closely

He is also expected to look at possible caps to bus fares – something he did in Manchester – and other measures, to back up his assertion that “I will ?put the care of people at the heart of everything I do”.

“It won’t solve everything, it won’t take all of the pressure off,” he told reporters. “But it just shows the direction of travel and … about helping them out.”

Markets will be listening keenly to how Burnham and his unexpected pick for finance minister, the former defence secretary John Healey, plan to finance any further support, after borrowing costs rose ?on Monday, pushing 30-year gilt yields to a two-month high.

Some investors were unsettled by Burnham’s remarks that he planned to use “any flexibility” within existing fiscal rules.

Showing the limited room for manoeuvre, the International Monetary Fund had praised the previous government for not introducing broad, untargeted energy subsidies in response to the Iran conflict, while the OECD has urged Britain to reduce – rather than expand – VAT exemptions to bolster tax revenue.

Kulwa Maduhu, one of the lawyers representing the Chadema national, Tundu Lissu, wept in the dock whilst giving evidence about being prevented from seeing Mr Lissu in remand.

In his evidence, Mr Maduhu, who has albinism, claimed he was implicitly barred by an officer from Ukonga Prison Service from meeting Mr Lissu due to his albinism.

Hopes of improved sugar availability and stable prices are rising as local producers resume operations after months of production disruptions that contributed to shortages and increased reliance on imports.

The resumption follows delays in the start of the 2026 production season, caused by prolonged rainfall, annual maintenance, technical challenges and the transition between production cycles.

Police in Morogoro Region have launched investigations into the killing of Kilombero District Land Officer Zakaria Malika, who was attacked and killed at his residence in the Ifakara area on Sunday night.

A statement issued by the Morogoro Regional Police Commander, ACP Andrew Kantimbo, says Mr Malika, 57, was killed at around 8:30 pm at Kapolo CCM sub-village, Kibaoni Ward, in Kilombero District.

Police said the officer was attacked by unidentified individuals while at his home, with preliminary findings indicating that sharp objects were used during the assault. The attack resulted in injuries on different parts of the deceased’s body, leading to his death, with police saying they continued with efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Land dispute motive

Preliminary investigations have since pointed to a possible link between the killing and a long-standing land dispute involving the deceased and some individuals known to him.

“The initial investigations suggest that the motive behind the killing is a long-standing land dispute between the deceased and some of his associates,” police said.

Following the findings, police confirmed that two suspects had been arrested and were being questioned as investigators worked to determine their possible involvement in the incident.

While the two suspects remain in custody, police said investigations were continuing to identify other individuals who may have participated in the attack and establish the full motive behind the killing.

The incident has renewed concerns over the increasing use of violence in resolving land-related conflicts, prompting authorities to remind citizens to use legal channels when addressing disputes.

Morogoro regional police chief urged members of the public to seek assistance from relevant authorities and courts instead of taking the law into their own hands.

Police warned that resorting to violence could result in serious criminal offences, including murder, while also threatening peace and security within communities.

Lindi. Sixty graduates from the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Lindi Region have pledged to use the skills they acquired through vocational training to promote peace, create employment and contribute to community development.

The graduates completed training under the Dumisha Amani project, implemented by VETA in partnership with development organisations to equip young people with practical skills and tackle unemployment.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Monday, July 20, 2026, tailoring graduate Ms Martha Mchewa said the programme had transformed participants’ attitudes towards employment by encouraging self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

She said the graduates planned to share their knowledge within their communities, establish business groups and seek council loans to expand their enterprises.

Ms Mchewa added that training in soap making and food processing had enabled participants to add value to locally produced goods and create products with greater market potential.

Another graduate, Mr Jabiri Hamisi, who trained in CCTV installation and irrigation systems, said he intended to establish service groups to support both public institutions and private clients while creating employment opportunities for fellow youth.

Officiating at the ceremony, Lindi District Commissioner, Ms Victoria Mwanziva, congratulated the graduates and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs through access to loans and other economic opportunities.

She urged the graduates to become ambassadors for peace while using their newly acquired skills to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their communities.

VETA Lindi Principal, Mr Harry Mmari, said 60 trainees-22 men and 38 women-completed courses during the second phase of the Dumisha Amani project.

He said the graduates were expected to champion peaceful coexistence while applying their vocational skills to improve their economic well-being.

The Dumisha Amani project is implemented by the Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and VETA. Training covered batik production, CCTV installation, irrigation system design and installation, and value addition for food and beverage products.

The East African Community (EAC) is set to officially launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology on July 22, 2026.

This milestone, to be celebrated in Entebbe, Uganda, represents a transformative shift in how the region manages public health emergencies and pandemics.

. A security guard at Mailisita Primary School in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, identified as Mzee Metivoi, 25, is suspected to have died by suicide, with police saying preliminary investigations indicate prolonged psychological distress may have been a contributing factor.

The deceased, a resident of Lemanyata Village in the district, was found hanging from the ceiling of one of the school’s classrooms.

Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa confirmed the incident, saying it occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 20, 2026. “This incident occurred on July 20, 2026, at around 1 am at Mailisita Primary School in Mailisita Village, Mnadani Ward, Lyamungo Division, Hai District. Preliminary investigations indicate that prolonged psychological distress may have contributed to the incident,’ said Commander Maigwa.

He added that investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

Commander Maigwa said the body was taken to Hai District Hospital, where it is being kept pending a post-mortem examination and completion of other legal procedures.

Commenting on the incident, Shiri Njoro Village chairperson, Ms Alfonsina Otari said residents were shocked by the death, noting that another security guard at the same school had been found dead inside a maize storage structure three months earlier.

‘What has shocked us even more is that three months ago another guard at this school was found dead inside a maize granary. We are still in disbelief because it has not been long before another guard has died. We do not know what has happened at this school,’ she said.

Young Africans (Yanga) have strengthened their technical department ahead of the 2026/27 season after unveiling South African coach Simo Dladla as the club’s new assistant coach.

Dladla joins the Jangwani-based giants as part of head coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s technical team, with the club expecting him to play a key role in implementing the team’s football philosophy and improving overall performance.

The appointment comes as Yanga intensify preparations for the new campaign, where the Mainland champions will be aiming to maintain their dominance in domestiDladla brings with him experience gained from working in different football environments, including club football and player development programmes. His arrival is expected to add more technical expertise to Mngqithi’s backroom staff as the club seeks to build a competitive team capable of handling the demands of a busy season.

The South African coach will work closely with Mngqithi in areas such as tactical planning, player development, match preparation and improving the performance levels of the squad.

Yanga’s decision to strengthen the technical bench reflects the club’s ambitions to create a well-structured team ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The club believes that a strong coaching department will be crucial as they compete for trophies on multiple fronts.

Apart from reinforcing the technical team, Yanga have also been active in the transfer market, bringing in new players as part of their squad improvement strategy. The club has completed the signing of several talents, including attacking midfielder Juma Issa Abushiri from Fountain Gate FC, midfielder Rasmi, and right-back Abdulnasir Gamal from Mashujaa FC.

Abushiri, popularly known as Chuga Boy, has expressed his readiness to handle the pressure of playing for one of Tanzania’s biggest clubs, saying he is determined to prove himself and contribute to Yanga’s success.

The arrival of Dladla adds another important piece to Yanga’s preparations as the club enters a new era under Mngqithi’s leadership. Supporters will now be looking forward to seeing how the new technical setup translates into performances on the pitch.

With a strengthened coaching team and a refreshed squad, Yanga are expected to enter the 2026/27 season with high ambitions as they seek continued success both domestically and on the continental stage.

More than 500 patients are expected to undergo specialist surgical procedures during the 2026 ECSA-HC Specialised Medical and Surgical Camp, a regional initiative aimed at improving access to advanced healthcare.

The 10-day outreach programme, organised by the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will run from July 21 to 30 at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital in Arusha and Ligula Regional Referral Hospital in Mtwara.

Chairperson of the organising committee and Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) Executive Director, Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, said each camp is expected to serve more than 1,000 patients, with over 500 surgeries to be performed. The procedures will cover ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders, reconstructive orthopaedic surgery for accident victims, obstetrics and gynaecology, and various cancers.

A total of 33 specialist doctors have been deployed, with 15 stationed in Arusha and 18 in Mtwara. Registration is underway, with 229 patients enrolled in Arusha and more than 251 in Mtwara.

To support the programme, ECSA-HC has donated medical equipment, medicines and other health commodities worth $36,000 (about Sh95 million).

Speaking during the handover, ECSA-HC Director-General Dr Ntuli Kapologwe said the donation would improve access to specialised healthcare, reduce waiting times and strengthen the skills of health workers through knowledge sharing and practical collaboration.

He said the programme is being rolled out across ECSA-HC member states. Malawi has already received similar medical supplies, Uganda has completed its outreach camp, while Kenya, Mauritius and other member states will follow.

Beyond treating patients, Dr Kapologwe said the initiative supports Tanzania’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage by providing specialist care to patients who have waited months or even years for surgery. He added that the donated equipment would continue benefiting hospitals after the camp ends.

Receiving the donation, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr Emmanuel Tayari, said the initiative demonstrates the value of regional cooperation in expanding access to specialised healthcare.

He said the government would ensure the donated supplies are used transparently and for their intended purpose, adding that the camps will also provide opportunities for training and knowledge exchange between Tanzanian health workers and specialists from across the region.

The Ministry of Health’s Director of Curative Services, Dr Hamad Nyembea, said the outreach forms part of the government’s strategy to decentralise specialist healthcare, reduce referrals and enable more Tanzanians to receive advanced treatment within the country.

University of Dodoma (Udom) lecturer Melkisedeki Kaijage has been granted bail after spending 14 days in custody without securing his release.

Mr Kaijage had been detained at Chang’ombe Police Station in Dodoma since July 8, 2026, on allegations of mobilising demonstrations planned for July 7, 2026.

Following his arrest, relatives and leaders of the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association (UDOMASA) made unsuccessful attempts to secure his release before filing a bail application in court. On Monday, the court ordered that he be released on bail.

UDOMASA chairman, Dr Gerald Shija on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, confirmed that their member had been granted bail in proceedings before Judge Joachim Tiganga.

‘We are just completing a few remaining formalities, but the honourable judge has already granted the bail order and he will be released shortly,’ said Dr Shija.

In the application, UDOMASA was represented by a team of lawyers led by Advocate Prosper Malangalila, who appeared before the court while Kaijage remained in custody.

Dr Shija said the court’s ruling dealt with the bail application, which was the immediate relief they had sought, while the remaining legal process would continue.

On Sunday, Dodoma Regional Police Commander Gallus Hyera said investigations into the allegations against the lecturer were ongoing and that further legal action would follow once the investigations were completed.

Mr Kaijage’s arrest and detention sparked public concern after both government officials and the University of Dodoma said they had no official information about the matter and had instead learnt of it through social media.