Category: The Citizen

The 2026 BET Awards is set to bring together a cross-generational mix of global stars, with Tems, Queen Latifah and Doechii among the headline performers confirmed for this year’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

The show, scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theatre, continues BET’s positioning of the awards as ‘Culture’s Biggest Night’, blending legacy acts with the new wave of streaming-era artists.

This year’s performance roster also includes names such as Cardi B, Kehlani, Jill Scott, Common, Rick Ross, Don Toliver, French Montana, T.I., Max B, The War and Treaty, and emerging act kwn, signalling one of the most genre-diverse lineups in recent editions.

Tems’ inclusion further reinforces the growing presence of African artists on the BET stage, where she is expected to deliver one of the most closely watched performances of the night, following her continued global crossover success in R and B and Afrobeats-infused sounds.

Queen Latifah’s return to the stage adds a strong legacy dimension to the lineup, with anticipation building around a potential special live moment, while Doechii represents the rising new-school energy driving contemporary hip-hop and experimental R and B.

Industry observers note that this year’s performances reflect a deliberate balance between iconic influence and emerging global sounds.

The 2026 ceremony will be hosted by comedian Druski, marking his debut as emcee.

East Africa’s film industry has scored major international recognition after a Tanzanian-Kenyan co-production and a Ugandan feature project were selected for the prestigious Locarno Open Doors 2026 programme in Switzerland.

The Ones With the Tempered Flowers, directed by Tanzanian filmmaker Neema Ngelime and produced by Kenyan producer Ivy Kiru, is among six projects chosen for the Open Doors Projects programme.

The experimental documentary explores themes of womanhood and motherhood through a unique artistic lens.

Joining it is Uganda’s A Vineyard for A Lobster, directed by Talemwa Pius and produced by Gashumba Emmanuel.

The fiction feature uses a snow-covered landscape as a powerful allegory to examine the lingering effects of colonialism.

Open Doors is the talent development and co-production platform of the internationally renowned Locarno Film Festival.

The initiative supports filmmakers from under-represented regions by providing mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and access to international industry professionals.

The selected projects will participate in workshops, project presentations, and industry events from August 5 to August 10, during the 79th Locarno Film Festival.

The programme is currently in the second year of a four-year cycle dedicated to supporting filmmakers from 42 African countries.

The selection places East African storytelling on a global stage and highlights the growing influence of the region’s filmmakers within the international film industry.

It also follows a series of recent achievements for African creatives at major global cultural platforms, reinforcing the continent’s rising presence in cinema and the arts.

With stories centred on identity, memory, womanhood, and colonial legacies, the selected projects showcase the diversity and depth of contemporary African storytelling.

Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) have returned to the summit of the Mainland Tanzania Premier League following a 2-0 victory over Fountain Gate FC yesterday.

Yanga secured all three points through a dominant second-half display, with both goals coming shortly after the restart. Pacome Zouzoua broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after being set up by Mudathir Yahaya, finishing calmly to give the hosts the lead. Just two minutes later, Yanga doubled their advantage when Laurindo ‘Depu’ Aurelio latched onto a well-delivered pass from Maxi Nzengeli and made no mistake to seal the win. The victory saw Yanga climb back to the top of the standings with 66 points, strengthening their push to retain the league title as the season enters its decisive phase.

They now hold a two-point lead over second-placed Simba, who continue to apply pressure in the title race, while Azam FC sit third with eight points separating them from the leaders. The result further highlights the intensity of the championship battle, with only a handful of matches remaining as the top three sides continue to fight for supremacy in a tightly contested campaign. Mainland Tanzania Premier League has been suspended for six days to allow four clubs to compete in the semifinals of the CRDB Federation Cup. The break gives defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), Simba, Azam FC and Coastal Union an opportunity to focus on their quest for a place in the domestic cup final.

Simba will kick off the semifinal action on June 20 when they take on Coastal Union at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha. The Msimbazi giants will be aiming to keep alive their hopes of ending the season with silverware after missing out on the league title race.

The second semifinal will be played a day later, on June 21, when defending champions Yanga face Azam FC at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

The encounter is expected to be fiercely contested as both sides seek a place in the final and a chance to lift one of Tanzania’s most prestigious knockout trophies. Following the cup fixtures, attention will shift back to the league campaign.

The Mainland Premier League is scheduled to resume on June 24, with all 16 teams returning to action as the race for the title, continental places and survival intensifies in the closing stages of the season.

Tanzania is stepping up efforts to position its higher education sector on the global stage, with experts and university leaders meeting in Arusha to chart strategies aimed at improving international competitiveness through research, innovation and academic collaboration.

The experts are expected to adopt resolutions to strengthen the country’s higher education system, with a particular focus on research, technology and partnerships with international institutions.

What began as the familiar story of a worried parent seeking answers for a frequently ill child soon turned into a long and demanding health battle for Stella Nyakanga.

Her daughter, Joicy Lungu, suffered repeated bouts of illness from an early age, prompting the family to seek medical attention. When Joicy reached the age of two, tests confirmed that she had sickle cell disease, a diagnosis that would dramatically alter the family’s life.

The Government has confirmed that Tanzania remains free of Ebola cases and has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens through enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma, Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, said the Government continues to strengthen its readiness to respond to the disease following ongoing outbreaks reported in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The minister said that, as of June 18, 2026, no Ebola case had been reported in Tanzania and the country’s public health security situation remained stable. ‘I would like to assure citizens that our country remains free of Ebola cases. The Government is fully prepared to prevent, detect early and contain any threat that may endanger the health of Tanzanians,’ said Mr Mchengerwa.

The minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Florence Samizi; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Grace Magembe; Dr Erasto Sylvanus; and other senior ministry officials.

He said the Government has intensified screening and surveillance at border posts, airports and seaports, while also issuing guidelines to healthcare professionals and the public.

According to Mr Mchengerwa, since the Ebola threat was declared, authorities have investigated 64 alerts reported from 21 regions. Of these, 11 suspected cases met the criteria for further assessment and samples were collected, all of which tested negative for Ebola.

He said all necessary measures continue to be implemented to ensure the highest standards of safety for both citizens and healthcare workers, with the aim of preventing the disease from entering the country.

Mr Mchengerwa pledged that the Government would continue to closely monitor developments and provide timely and transparent updates to the public whenever necessary.

He also urged citizens to follow guidance issued by health experts and rely on official Government sources for information, while avoiding the spread of unverified reports that could undermine efforts to safeguard the country against the Ebola threat.

Six days after Simon Benjamin Mkwizu and his wife, Victoria, welcomed quintuplets at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), CRDB Bank has stepped in with financial support aimed at helping the family raise the children.

The bank visited the family on Friday, opening bank accounts for the five babies and their parents while also providing additional support intended to strengthen the family’s long-term welfare.

Speaking during the presentation, CRDB Bank Chief Operating Officer Bruce Mwile commended doctors, nurses and health professionals at Muhimbili for ensuring the safe delivery of both the mother and the babies. ‘The services provided at Muhimbili National Hospital demonstrate a high level of professionalism, dedication and commitment in protecting the lives of both mother and children,’ Mr Mwile said.

He said that while the birth of quintuplets was a blessing for the family, it also brought increased responsibilities in terms of childcare and upbringing.

‘CRDB Bank has a responsibility to support this family, and we have come with assistance that we believe will help in raising these children,’ he said.

Through its Youth Banking unit, the bank opened Junior Jumbo accounts for each of the five children and deposited Sh1.5 million into each account.

The mother was also given a Malkia account and financial support worth Sh2.5 million, with Sh1.5 million deposited into the account and Sh1 million set aside to support her business activities.

For the father, who works as a transport officer, the bank opened an iMBEJU account designed for entrepreneurs and provided him with a new three-wheeler taxi (bajaj) to help improve household income. The vehicle also comes with comprehensive insurance cover.

The bank further arranged premium health insurance for Victoria and the five babies, while CRDB’s brokerage unit purchased shares worth Sh500,000 for each child.

In addition, through the iMBEJU programme under the CRDB Bank Foundation, Mr Mkwizu will receive financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.

Mr Mkwizu thanked both Muhimbili and CRDB Bank for the support.

‘What CRDB has done is extraordinary. It feels like giving clean drinking water to someone suffering from thirst in the desert,’ he said.

Muhimbili National Hospital Executive Director Dr Delilah Kimambo said the accounts opened for the family would create a sustainable way for individuals and institutions wishing to support them.

‘Many people want to help the family, but some forms of support may not last long. These accounts will allow those wishing to provide long-term support to contribute directly towards the children’s future,’ she said.

Dr Kimambo said that the babies, who were born with low birth weights, had continued to improve and no longer required machine support following specialised care at the hospital.

Tanzania’s goal to strengthen medical education, accelerate health research and expand access to specialised care have received a major boost following a new partnership between the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), through its Duke-NUS Medical School.

The agreement is expected to directly enhance specialist training, advance cutting-edge research and support innovation in priority health areas such as sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and digital health-positioning Tanzania more firmly within the global medical research and innovation ecosystem.

The population of Gombe National Park’s chimpanzees has fallen by nearly 50 percent since the early years of research by Jane Goodall in the 1960s, raising concerns about the future of one of the world’s best-known primate populations.

From an estimated 150 chimpanzees recorded during the early years of research, the population had fallen to about 77 individuals by 2024, according to Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa).

The introduction of revised minimum wages for domestic workers has triggered mixed reactions among households in Tanzania, with some employers citing added financial pressure while others support the move as necessary to improve working conditions in the sector.

Under the Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, domestic workers are entitled to revised minimum wages depending on the category of employment.