Category: The Citizen

The growing burden of kidney disease in Tanzania is driving demand for modern treatment options that are less invasive and more affordable than conventional surgery.

Government data show that the number of kidney patients receiving dialysis services at health facilities increased from 1,017 in 2019 to 3,327 in 2025, underscoring rising demand for specialised kidney care.

Against this backdrop, Sino Kangning Polyclinic has introduced technology that uses focused sound waves to break kidney stones into tiny fragments, allowing them to pass naturally through urine without the need for surgery.

Speaking during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, Dr Kanansia Mbowe said the procedure eliminates the need for surgical incisions and prolonged hospital stays.

“The patient does not undergo an operation or require admission. The machine directs sound waves at the kidney stone, breaking it into sand-like particles that are later expelled naturally through urine,” she said.

Dr Mbowe said the technology, commonly known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), is currently available at only a few health facilities in Tanzania but is already helping many patients avoid surgery and lengthy recovery periods.

She said many people still believe surgery is the only effective treatment for kidney stones, yet advances in medical technology now provide a safer, less invasive alternative for suitable patients.

In addition to kidney stone treatment, the facility has specialist urologists who manage a wide range of conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract.

Dr Mbowe also revealed that the facility has brought orthopaedic and microsurgery specialists from China who are capable of reattaching severed body parts, including fingers, hands and limbs.

She said such procedures have the highest chance of success when patients reach hospital within eight hours of the injury.

“Within that period, blood vessels and nerves can still be repaired. After that, the detached body part gradually loses viability because of the lack of blood supply, reducing the chances of successful reattachment,” she explained.

The specialists also provide treatment for chronic diabetic wounds through skin grafting, scar reconstruction and reproductive health services.

One of the visitors to the facility, Mr Manjit Kumar, said the introduction of non-surgical kidney stone treatment could significantly reduce treatment costs for patients.

“Patients will spend less time in hospital, recover faster and return to work much sooner. This will also reduce the financial burden associated with surgery,” he said.

Police in Mtwara Region, through the Cybercrime Unit, have arrested four suspects accused of involvement in fraud and other cyber offences across 11 regions of the country.

Mtwara Regional Police Commander Issa Suleiman told journalists on Saturday, June 4, 2026, that the suspects had been entering Mtwara at different times, where they allegedly committed fraud targeting financial service providers before relocating to other parts of the country.

The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has donated medical equipment to the Neonatal Unit at Iringa Regional Referral Hospital, reaffirming its commitment to community welfare through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Receiving the donation, Medical Officer in Charge Dr Alfred Mwakalebela said the hospital continues to care for a growing number of premature babies but still faces critical challenges that require support from the government and development partners.

Private school owners have been urged to reduce their reliance on tuition fees and diversify income sources to remain financially resilient amid an increasingly challenging economic environment at present.

The call was made on Saturday, July 4, 2026, by SSC Group chief executive officer Salum Awadh, who said schools that have developed multiple revenue streams are better positioned to survive financial shocks, expand operations, and improve the quality of education they offer.

Speaking ahead of a specialised training on operating profitable learning institutions scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Mr Awadh said school owners must embrace business-oriented strategies if they want their institutions to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.

“Depending solely on school fees is no longer the best option. School owners need to think beyond traditional models and establish alternative sources of income that can support the growth and sustainability of their institutions,” he said.

He noted that private schools should also explore diverse financing options to fund expansion and improve cash flow management.

“Schools need to consider financing mechanisms such as venture capital, capital markets, impact investors, angel investors, private credit and other innovative funding sources to finance their growth and transformation,” he said.

The training will bring together private school owners, investors, board members, finance managers, and school administrators to discuss practical approaches to improving financial sustainability and profitability.

According to him, many private schools continue to face financial difficulties despite increasing demand for quality education, largely because of weak business models, poor cash flow management, and heavy dependence on costly borrowing.

“As an advisory firm, we have conducted assessments in a number of schools and learning institutions and found that many face similar financial and operational challenges. This training is designed to provide practical, tailor-made solutions to address those challenges,” he said.

He said participants are expected to leave with actionable strategies that will enable them to strengthen their financial management, improve profitability, and build resilient institutions capable of sustaining long-term growth.

The programme will cover topics including alternative financing options, profitability diagnosis, financial management, business challenges facing private schools, and case studies of successful education enterprises.

SSC Capital, which operates in three countries, provides advisory services in strategy, corporate finance, capital raising, asset management, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and credit rating.

A fire that broke out at around 1:30am on July 3, 2026, in cosmetics shops located in the Lumumba area of Mwanza City has been successfully contained and extinguished after more than five hours of intensive firefighting operations.

Authorities have indicated that the suspected cause of the blaze is an electrical fault, although a full investigation is still underway.

Speaking at the scene, Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda confirmed that no fatalities had been reported by midnight, though significant damage had already been recorded.

He said several shops were destroyed in the incident, alongside one building that was severely affected by the fire.

Mr Mtanda further noted that security was swiftly reinforced from the onset of the incident, with officers from the Tanzania Police Force and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force ensuring that public property remained secure and that no cases of theft were reported.

However, he observed that some residents and traders moved their belongings out of panic, despite assurances that the situation was under control.

‘I received a call from a resident reporting that they had seen fire, and I immediately contacted the fire and rescue services… they responded promptly and managed to prevent the fire from spreading,’ said Mr Mtanda.

He added that emergency services had been strengthened at the scene, including the deployment of ambulances to assist any members of the public who might have suffered shock or blood pressure-related complications as a result of the incident. He also assured that the government would meet affected traders to discuss the next steps for recovery and support.

Nyamagana Member of Parliament John Nzilanyingi said the incident highlighted the urgent need for continued investment in modern firefighting equipment, noting that the situation could have been far worse without the resources currently in place.

He commended the cooperation shown by members of the public, saying some residents actively participated in rescue efforts, including breaking shop doors and assisting in directing water during the operation.

He also urged residents and business owners to adhere strictly to urban planning regulations when constructing buildings, warning that narrow access routes had, in some areas, hindered fire engines from reaching the scene with ease.

A witness, Emmanuel Mushi, described the incident as distressing, noting that the situation could have resulted in greater losses had security teams not acted swiftly, especially as cosmetics such as perfumes were exploding due to the heat.

‘What happened today is heartbreaking… we commend the rescue services and the regional government. They should continue standing with us in such disasters whenever they occur,’ he said.

More than eight fire engines took part in the operation, including those from the Fire and Rescue Force, the Tanzania Police Force, and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, jointly managing to bring the blaze under control and prevent further destruction.

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RG) has said the adoption of technology in the cooperative sector will enhance transparency, accountability and financial inclusion, following the signing of a partnership agreement between Mixx by Yas and the Zanzibar Department of Cooperative Development.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of International Day of Cooperatives celebrations, the Minister of State in the Office of the Second Vice-President (Policy, Coordination, House of Representatives and Union Affairs), Mr Hamza Hassan, said the partnership aligns with the government’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation and equipping cooperative societies with modern, secure, and efficient systems.

‘Digital transformation in the cooperative sector will strengthen transparency, enhance accountability and provide citizens with better financial services. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is essential in driving inclusive development and building a modern economy that benefits every citizen,’ he said.

The partnership is expected to benefit thousands of cooperative society members, community groups and entrepreneurs across Zanzibar by enabling digital financial management, improving transaction security and expanding access to financial services.

Mixx by Yas director of compliance, Mr Abdallah Nguba, said the collaboration lays the foundation for transformative reforms that will improve how cooperative societies manage their finances and deliver services to members through technology.

‘This partnership marks the beginning of significant reforms in the cooperative sector by improving financial management, enhancing transparency, and simplifying service delivery through technology.

Through Mixx Kikoba, members will be able to save, contribute to group funds, make payments, purchase shares, receive dividends and even apply for loans directly from their mobile phones,’ he said.

He added that cooperative societies remain a key pillar of the economy, bringing together farmers, fishers, livestock keepers and entrepreneurs, while technology will promote accountability, improve financial record-keeping, and provide reliable data to support more effective government planning and decision-making.

The agreement is also expected to accelerate the formalisation of community groups and cooperative societies, reduce reliance on cash transactions, and strengthen members’ confidence through secure and transparent digital systems.

The initiative further reinforces Mixx’s role as a strategic government partner in advancing financial inclusion and accelerating the digital economy, enabling citizens to participate more actively in Zanzibar and Tanzania’s economic development.

Zanzibar’s Second Vice President, Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, has said the government will not allow road infrastructure projects to stall or be delayed due to compensation processes, noting that a structured system is already in place to handle valuation and payments.

He directed relevant authorities to speed up valuation exercises and compensation payments to enable residents to vacate areas where project implementation has been delayed due to pending assessments.

Hemed made the remarks on Saturday, July 4, 2026, during an inspection tour of road construction projects in various parts of Zanzibar City.

He instructed the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure that no administrative or technical bottlenecks delay the implementation of road infrastructure works across the country.

The roads form part of a 100.9-kilometre network valued at $130 million, being implemented by different contractors in Unguja.

‘We have no reason to delay these projects because of compensation. I direct that all pending payments be completed so that citizens are compensated and the projects continue,’ he said.

The senior government official also urged residents who have already received compensation to vacate project areas, warning that those who refuse to comply would be removed by authorities.

He also cautioned against rebuilding temporary structures in such areas.

‘Ministry, we must stop being lenient on this matter. Once a person has been compensated, they must leave. Some people are defiant or return to erect temporary structures; this is unacceptable,’ he said.

However, he assured citizens that no one entitled to compensation would be denied their rights.

He said the government has invested significant resources in infrastructure development to improve transport services and drive economic and social progress, and therefore ministries must ensure timely implementation and adherence to standards.

‘All citizens will be paid according to proper valuation procedures, and everyone will receive their rightful compensation as others have done,’ he said.

He also directed the Urban West regional authorities to ensure that once compensation procedures are completed, all houses and commercial structures earmarked for demolition are removed immediately to allow construction works to proceed, stressing that the government’s goal is to improve infrastructure for present and future generations.

During another stop at Mpigaduri Maruhubi port, Mr Abdulla instructed the Ministry of Water and Energy to explore the possibility of issuing permits for sand extraction to enable phase two of construction works at the facility.

‘We cannot suspend major strategic projects while waiting for sand extraction permits,’ he said.

He further directed the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, together with the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA), to identify a suitable area with a conducive environment for fishing activities.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Ali Said Bakar, said some contractors had stalled works due to delayed compensation processes that were yet to be completed.

For his part, Minister for Works and Transport, Dr Khalid Mohammed Salum, assured the Vice President that the government would continue supervising project implementation to ensure timely completion and improved service delivery.

He said most ongoing road projects were expected to be completed by December this year.

During the tour, Mr Abdulla inspected several projects, including Kwamchina Mwanzo (Othman Maalim) Road, Magomeni-Mwanakwerekwe Makaburini Road, Amani Flyover, Amani-Mikunguni Road, Mpigaduri-Kinazini Port, Darajani-Creek Road and ZRA-Fumba Road.

Thousands of Young Africans (Yanga) supporters lined the streets of Tanzania’s commercial capital on Saturday, July 4, 2026 as the club celebrated its record-extending 32nd Mainland Premier League title with a victory parade following a fifth consecutive league triumph.

Fans dressed in the club’s green and yellow colours gathered around Karume, near the headquarters of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), hours before the celebrations officially began.

Singing club songs, waving flags and chanting throughout the morning, supporters turned the city centre into a festive scene as they awaited the arrival of the champions.

Yanga were officially confirmed as league champions on June 30 after finishing the 2025-26 season with 75 points, two ahead of arch-rivals Simba SC, who ended the campaign on 73 points.

The title extended Yanga’s record haul to 32 league championships since the competition began in 1965 and completed a fifth straight league crown, underlining the club’s recent dominance of Tanzanian football.

Although the club had announced that festivities would begin earlier in the day, the parade eventually set off from Karume in the afternoon with players, coaching staff and club officials travelling aboard an open-top celebration vehicle through central Dar es Salaam.

Head coach Abdihamid Moallin, who guided the club to another league title in his first season in charge, received a warm reception from supporters lining the route.

The coach waved to fans alongside members of the title-winning squad, including midfielder Maxi Mpia Nzengeli, Mohamed Damaro and Kouassi Attohoula Yao.

The players celebrated by singing, dancing and displaying the league trophy while supporters followed the convoy on foot and motorcycles, creating long stretches of green and yellow through the city’s streets.

One of the most anticipated moments of the parade came when the convoy reached Msimbazi, home to Simba SC’s headquarters and a symbolic location in one of East Africa’s biggest football rivalries.

Yanga president Hersi Said emerged from the celebration vehicle carrying five league trophies, representing the club’s run of five successive championships. His appearance drew loud cheers from Yanga supporters, who responded with songs celebrating the club’s latest achievement.

Simba supporters also gathered along sections of the route and answered with their own chants and club songs, highlighting the fierce but deeply rooted rivalry between the country’s two most successful clubs.

The exchanges remained celebratory as both sets of fans created a lively atmosphere.

For Yanga supporters, the procession through Msimbazi has become a symbolic feature of recent championship celebrations, reflecting the club’s sustained success during a period in which it has won five consecutive league titles.

Saturday’s celebrations marked another milestone for the Dar es Salaam club, which has established itself as the dominant force in Tanzanian football over the past five seasons.

The latest championship not only extended Yanga’s league record but also reinforced the consistency that has seen the club remain ahead of its closest challengers in recent years.

The parade concluded with thousands of supporters continuing celebrations across the city, capping another successful season for a club that has continued to set the standard in Tanzanian domestic football.

Yanga’s latest triumph further strengthens its position as the country’s most decorated league club, with attention now expected to turn toward preparations for the new season and another campaign in continental competition.

Residents in Tanzania may soon reduce trips to health facilities for preliminary urinary tract infection (UTI) screening following the introduction of a portable home-testing kit into the local market.

The product, known as Checkfor UTI Test (pictured), is designed to enable individuals to conduct preliminary screening at home and encourage early medical intervention.

Vancouver. Switzerland striker Breel Embolo struck early and winger Dan Ndoye added a second as their side cruised to a 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday and into the ?last 16 at the World Cup, where they will meet Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver week.Murat Yakin’s Swiss side put on a tactical masterclass, shifting formations and laying traps for Algeria before hitting them with two sucker-punch goals that decided a contest short on excitement, but full of intrigue and nuance.Pitted against a familiar ?foe in Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, who had seven years at the helm of Switzerland ?between 2014 and 2021, Yakin set his team up to absorb early pressure and ?strike on the break, and that is exactly what they did.Their opener was as simple as it ?was effective.The Swiss won the ball in their own half and sent 20-year-old Johan Manzambi off down the ?left on the counter, and he squared for Embolo to steer the ball into the net from close range in the 10th minute.The lead secured, Switzerland shifted to a five-man midfield out of possession, snuffing out the space and challenging ?the Algerians to play through them, but Petkovic’s charges struggled to break their opponents down.Algeria’s best chance ?came in first-half stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a snap shot wide of the near post, one of few ?on goal they managed in the game.The Swiss struck again almost immediately after the break, attacking down the right before a half-hearted clearance from Rafik Belghali ended up at the feet of Ndoye and the winger placed his shot beyond the dive of goalkeeper Luca Zidane.Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez could have pulled a ?goal back moments later ?but he fired straight ?at a defender from a central position, summing up a frustrating evening for the Algerians.With Granit Xhaka steering Switzerland’s defensive shape, they went back to their ?original game-plan of ceding possession and launching lightning-fast counter-attacks, but the Algerians were ?wary of committing ?players forward lest they concede again.Despite the sell-out crowd at BC Place, the last 15 minutes were played in virtual silence, only broken by cheers and then groans as Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder somehow contrived to ?miss with ?the goal at his mercy, scuffing his shot back across ?goal where a grateful Zidane was able to avert the danger.Fortunately for Switzerland it had no bearing on the outcome as they ?celebrated moving into a last-16 clash on Tuesday.