Category: The Citizen

Uganda’s Daily Monitor, sister paper to Kenya’s Daily Nation, just published a disturbing investigation into secondary school elections. It revealed how schools mirror the corruption and bribery of adult politics.

Gone are the days of nervous speeches in assembly halls, the popularity contests of the playground, and humble posters taped to corridor walls.

The raw power of money and material inducements has replaced them. To win positions as prefects, students now deploy aggressive campaign strategies funded by their families. Tribalism, cash bribes and coordinated handouts dominate.

This problem extends beyond Uganda. Kenya has faced similar challenges, and echoes can be found across Africa and even in China.

In Kenya, like elsewhere, the commercialisation of school politics partly grew out of good intentions. In 2010, inspired by the new constitution, the Ministry of Education abolished the authoritarian system of teacher-appointed prefects.

In its place came the Kenya Secondary Schools Student Council (KSSSC), intended to give students a voice and teach accountability.

Yet what educators have dubbed “pocket-money politics” quickly took over.

Aspiring student leaders mimicked the campaigns of national politicians. Wealthy parents funded glossy posters, professional printing, and elaborate rallies.

Because cash is tightly regulated in boarding schools, bribery shifted to an alternative economy of sweets, chocolates, loaves of bread and maandazi.

The situation grew so serious that institutions such as the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa were reported to have intervened earlier.

During junior school elections, administrators banned bribery, gifts, and grand promises. Campaign posters were restricted to plain A4 paper, in a bid to force a return to policy debates.

However, another reality has challenged the idea that corrupt students merely imitate their parents. The problem seems to be deeper.

In China, where there are no competitive multiparty elections, and the Communist Party maintains strict control, similar behaviour has emerged.

To understand why children so effortlessly drift into political corruption, one must look back to a seminal moment in documentary filmmaking. In 2007, Chinese director Chen Weijun released a remarkable, award-winning documentary titled Please Vote for Me (which is still available on YouTube and is one of those documentaries you cannot help but watch several times).

It tracked an experimental election for class monitor among a group of eight-year-old, third-grade students (Lower Primary in Kenya) at Evergreen Primary School in Wuhan.

Given their first taste of a democratic vote, the three chosen candidates, Cheng Cheng, Luo Lei, and Xu Xiaofei, quickly abandoned fair play.

Cheng Cheng, a natural populist, masterminded sophisticated smear campaigns, organising his peers to systematically heckle his introverted female opponent, Xu Xiaofei, until she wept during a talent show.

More remarkably, the film exposed how adult structures perpetuate corruption among youth. Luo Lei, the incumbent monitor, faced a wave of unpopularity due to his authoritarian style.

To rescue his campaign, his parents, established police officials, intervened behind the scenes.

They organised an all-expenses-paid school bus trip for the entire class, utilising state-adjacent influence to dazzle the electorate.

On the eve of the vote, Luo Lei’s father provided bulk packages of sweets and snacks for his son to hand out to his classmates.

The strategy worked perfectly; Luo Lei won the election, leaving his defeated, unresourced opponents crying bitterly at their desks.

The true significance of “Please Vote for Me” lies in its profound revelation of human nature. It shattered the romantic myth that political corruption is a learned vice of adulthood.

The lesson for us is that, first, we must recognise that holding an election does not equal achieving a democracy. If the rules of the game allow wealth to dictate outcomes, the process merely legitimises an oligarchy, whether in a parliament or a primary school.

Second (and this admittedly is one of those things that are easier said than done), the educational system has to move away from merely mimicking political processes toward teaching students more ethics.

When schools implement “democratic systems” as they are presently structured, they risk training the next generation of corrupt officials, yet a return to the old autocratic system is equally bad.

If African democracies are to break the cycle of transactional voting, the intervention must begin in the classroom.

We must strip the playground of its bribes, enforce strict spending caps on student campaigns as some schools are doing, and teach children that true leadership is a burden of service, not a commodity to be bought with a bag of sweets.

That might be one of the toughest acts of modern parenting.

Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has sought to defuse a growing debate over access to healthcare services within the Union, saying the issue is not a dispute between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar but a challenge arising from foreigners allegedly exploiting weaknesses in the system.

Speaking during the Question and Answer session in Parliament on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Dr Nchemba said relations between the two sides of the Union remain strong and are founded on shared identity and kinship rather than administrative arrangements alone.

He said the debate emerged following concerns over free healthcare programmes for vulnerable groups, including beneficiaries of the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf) on the Mainland and similar welfare schemes in Zanzibar.

According to the Prime Minister, some foreigners have been obtaining Zanzibar Resident Identity Cards through illegal means and using them to access services intended for Zanzibaris.

“This is not an issue between the two sides of the Union. It is a national issue. We do not have a relationship problem regarding the sharing of resources or provision of services,” Dr Nchemba told Parliament.

He called on immigration and other state institutions to strengthen verification mechanisms to prevent non-citizens from unlawfully accessing public services.

“We should not ignore the fact that there are people from outside Tanzania who infiltrate the country, acquire citizenship or residency documents through improper means, and seek to benefit from national resources,” he said, describing the Union as one built on deep social and family ties.

“The founders symbolically mixed soil to demonstrate the Union, but today it is even stronger because it has united families and blood relations through marriage and social integration,” he said.

Health insurance cooperation

The Prime Minister noted that although healthcare is a non-Union matter, the two sides cooperate closely in service delivery through reciprocal health insurance arrangements.

He said members of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) on the Mainland and the Zanzibar Health Services Fund (ZHSF) are allowed to access treatment on either side of the Union using their respective insurance cards.

“A Zanzibari with a ZHSF card can receive treatment in Mainland Tanzania, while an NHIF member from the Mainland can also obtain services in Zanzibar,” he explained, noting that those without insurance coverage are required to pay for services directly.

Background to the debate

Dr Nchemba was responding to a question from Segerea Member of Parliament, Ms Agnesta Kaiza, who sought to know the policy and legal procedures used to provide health services to citizens from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

The MP’s question follows public reactions to comments made by some officials in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, which were interpreted by some as discriminatory towards non-Zanzibaris.

On June 6, 2026, acting Zanzibar Minister for Health Dr Saada Mkuya Salum questioned the increasing number of non-Zanzibaris accessing treatment through the Matibabu Card programme, which is designed specifically for Zanzibar residents.

She argued that Zanzibar’s budget could not support healthcare costs for a much larger population beyond the Isles, remarks that generated criticism, particularly among some mainland Tanzanians.

However, Dr Mkuya later clarified that her concern centred on financial sustainability rather than exclusion.

She said Zanzibar had established mechanisms through which non-residents could contribute to healthcare financing and noted that mainland residents could access services through insurance schemes.

She also explained that the Zanzibar Health Services Fund provides services to all registered members, including those from Mainland Tanzania.

Gold reserves and war veterans

Responding to a question from Tarime Urban MP Esther Matiko, Dr Nchemba dismissed claims that Tanzania had secretly sold part of its gold reserves.

He said the country currently holds about 27 tonnes of gold worth between $3.9 billion and $4 billion.

“Gold has become an important monetary policy instrument for maintaining economic stability and strengthening the Tanzanian shilling. No gold has been sold,” he told Parliament.

He added that Tanzania’s total foreign reserves exceed $6 billion, sufficient to cover more than four months of imports.

The Prime Minister also addressed compensation for volunteers who participated in the 1979 war that helped topple former Ugandan leader Idi Amin.

Responding to a question from Njombe MP Deodatus Mwanyika, Dr Nchemba said legal and verification processes had been completed and 72 veterans had been identified.

“I expect payments to begin during this financial year,” he said.

What began as a public disagreement between comedian Mzee Shayo and Cheka Tu founder Coy Mzungu has evolved into one of Tanzania’s most widely discussed entertainment stories, dominating social media timelines, online discussions and entertainment headlines.

At first glance, the debate appeared to centre on influence, recognition and opportunities within the comedy industry. Yet as audiences continue to engage with the back-and-forth, the conversation has expanded far beyond two personalities. It has become a reflection of a much larger shift taking place across Tanzania’s entertainment and media landscape: the growing power of digital creators.

A decade ago, national conversations were largely shaped by politicians, musicians, football stars and traditional media organisations. Today, a single video posted by a content creator can spark nationwide debate within hours, generating millions of views, thousands of comments and extensive media coverage.

The Coy Mzungu-Mzee Shayo exchange is a clear demonstration of how creators have become influential public figures in their own right. Their ability to command attention, mobilise audiences and drive public conversation increasingly rivals that of mainstream media platforms.

What makes the discussion particularly significant is that it has exposed deeper issues within Tanzania’s creative economy. Beneath the headlines are important questions about mentorship, ownership of platforms, creative recognition, revenue distribution and the future structure of the comedy industry itself.

At its core, the debate reflects a broader conversation taking place across the creator economy: who creates opportunities, who deserves recognition for building platforms, and how success should be measured in the digital age. As audiences, influence and commercial opportunities grow, these questions are becoming increasingly important for creators and the industries that support them.

For many observers, the disagreement has highlighted the tensions that often emerge as industries mature. Digital entertainment is no longer viewed as a hobby or side pursuit. It has evolved into a viable economic sector capable of creating jobs, building brands and generating substantial revenue.

The controversy has also demonstrated one of the defining realities of the modern creator economy: attention is currency.

Every response video, reaction clip, repost and commentary segment has generated further engagement, extending the lifespan of the conversation and increasing visibility for all parties involved. In the digital era, audience attention has become a valuable commodity capable of translating into brand partnerships, sponsorships, advertising revenue and long-term career opportunities.

Across Tanzania, a new generation of creators is rapidly emerging through comedy, lifestyle content, sports commentary, podcasts and short-form video platforms. Many are building loyal communities and sustainable businesses without relying on traditional media gatekeepers.

As internet access expands and social media platforms continue to evolve, content creation is increasingly being recognised as a legitimate profession. Brands are investing more heavily in influencer marketing, creators are launching independent ventures and audiences are consuming content directly from personalities they trust and relate to.

The impact is reshaping the country’s entertainment ecosystem. Success is no longer determined solely by television appearances, radio airplay or mainstream media exposure. Increasingly, influence is measured through engagement, community building and digital reach.

Against this backdrop, the ongoing Coy Mzungu-Mzee Shayo saga serves as more than entertainment gossip. It offers a glimpse into the opportunities, challenges and growing pains of Tanzania’s creator economy at a time when digital voices are becoming some of the country’s most influential cultural forces.

The growing commercial value of creators is also attracting increased interest from brands. One recent example is the Coy Mzungu and HOT 70 Creator Challenge, sponsored by Infinix Tanzania. Launched in June 2026, the initiative is an ongoing content creation competition designed to discover, mentor and empower emerging digital talent across Tanzania.

Participants receive financial support, internet connectivity and access to the newly launched AI-powered Infinix HOT 70 smartphone, equipping them with tools to create and grow their platforms.

Programmes such as these signal a wider recognition of the creator economy’s potential. As technology companies, brands and industry stakeholders continue to invest in digital talent, Tanzanian creators are increasingly finding themselves at the centre of a rapidly expanding ecosystem.

Whether audiences side with Coy Mzungu or Mzee Shayo is ultimately secondary. The more significant story lies in what their public dispute has revealed: content creators are no longer simply entertainers operating online. They are entrepreneurs, community builders and influential voices helping to shape conversations, culture and commerce in modern Tanzania.

The creator economy is still young, and debates like the one between Coy Mzungu and Mzee Shayo are likely to become more common as influence, money and audiences continue to grow. What once looked like entertainment industry drama may ultimately be remembered as evidence of a sector negotiating its future in real time.

The Minister for Finance, Khamis Mussa Omar, read the Government Budget for the year 2026 2027 on June 11 to Parliament; in which he presented a Budget of Sh62.33 trillion, a 10.3 percent increase from last year’s, sourced to 74.2 percent from domestic revenues to emphasise the need for self-reliance.

The Budget targets a GDP growth rate of 6.3 percent, and is themed:

“Building a resilient economy through digital transformation, strategic investment, and sustainable fiscal policies for inclusive economic growth”, the 2026/2027 Budget being the first to be implemented under Tanzania’s National Development Vision, 2050.

Newspapers have a tradition of adorning each Budget with fancy names like: “Recovery Budget”, “Industrialisation Budget”, “Relief Budget”; and this year’s one was called “Unique Budget” by a Government Broadsheet; and “Self-Reliance Budget” by one Swahili Daily.

However, as an old timer, you cannot fail to see the difference between Budget Day of many years bygone, and today.

In those yonder days, people would cling to their radios, listening and looking fascinated at what they heard from the Minister of Finance.

A tradition had grown that in each Budget Speech there would be measures to put up prices. That was usually a foregone conclusion, the question being price rises by how much.

An increase in prices was usually expected on what, in some countries, are called “sin taxes”.

Higher taxes on: beer, spirits, and wines; cigarettes and tobacco; and gambling and casinos.

With “sin taxes” governments aimed not only to raise revenue, but also to discourage the consumption of such goods. Unique was the Minister of Finance who did not put up prices for these goods.

Nevertheless, there was general agreement in those days that increase in taxes would not reduce the demand for beer.

In a way, therefore, the government was assured of revenue from such sources, whose demand was inelastic

These days, the reaction from the public over the Budget is a bit more sophisticated, possibly as a result of increasing financial literacy.

This year for example, as soon as the minister finished reading his Budget Speech, the Parliament’s Budget Committee immediately raised alarm over the growing Public Debt.

Procedurally, the Committee must have seen the Budget proposals and must have had opportunities to guide how the Budget would be before the proposals were finalised.

Nevertheless, it is important to realise that public borrowing is regulated by law, is realised through the Ministry of Finance, and is undertaken within the limits of the Budget approved by Parliament. There is a Debt Management Division in the Ministry of Finance.

Further guidance is obtained from the Government Loans, Guarantees, and Grants Act, Cap 134 and its Regulations.

In accordance to section 25.1(a) of, Cap 134, the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, is required to prepare a Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) and an Annual Borrowing Plan (ABP) in line with the overall fiscal framework.

The ABP is a structural plan that guides the debt management, in operationalising the provisions described in the borrowing strategy selected in the MTDS.

The Government overarching debt management objective, articulated in Regulation 4 of the Cap 134, aims at “meeting Government financing needs while minimising borrowing costs”.

That primary goal is complemented by secondary objectives that is: Fostering the development of domestic financial markets; Ensuring the sustainability of the debt burden; Mitigating debt-related risks; and, Balancing the sharing of the benefits and costs of public debt between the current and future generations. Public Debt, therefore is well-regulated.

The fact that Public Debt also aims at fostering the development of domestic financial markets is usually not discussed. Yet, without public borrowing, many of the important investment opportunities which are touted by the current crop of financial literacy advisors, such as Government Bonds, would not exist.

Governments borrow principally by selling Government bonds and Treasury bills to domestic and foreign investors (lenders), who may be individuals, banks and other financial institutions, pension funds, or other investors.

Individuals and Corporate bodies buy government bonds directly or through mutual funds/ETF. Financial Institutions such as banks, pension funds, and insurance companies are also major buyers, seeking safe, fixed-income assets.

In brief, public borrowing fosters domestic financial markets primarily by establishing a risk-free benchmark yield curve.

This provides a reliable pricing reference that allows private corporations and financial institutions to issue their own debt, price complex financial products, and accurately manage liquidity.

Thus, while trends like migrating to commercial loans from concessional loans is worrisome, there is need to bear in mind the importance of public borrowing in fostering domestic financial markets.

A key point to emphasise, is that investing opportunities offered by public borrowing should be accessible to the ordinary citizen countrywide.

Lusugga Kironde is Professor of Land and Urban Economics and lead consultant at TKA Company Ltd.

Dar es Salaam. CRDB Bank, the main sponsor of this year’s CRDB Bank Bunge Grand Bonanza, has handed over sports equipment and various prizes worth Sh450 million ahead of the event scheduled for June 20, 2026, at John Merlin Secondary School grounds in Dodoma.

Members of Parliament and employees of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania will compete in a range of sporting disciplines, including football, netball, volleyball, basketball and other games during the annual event.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, CRDB Bank Director of Communications and Managing Director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, TullyEsther Mwambapa, said the bank is proud of its longstanding partnership with Parliament and Members of Parliament, who are among the institution’s key customers through its extensive branch network across the country.

“Our relationship extends beyond financial services. It is further strengthened through social and community development initiatives, including the Imbeju Programme implemented by the CRDB Bank Foundation, which aims to promote financial literacy, inclusive economic growth and access to capital for Tanzanians,” said Mwambapa.

She noted that the sports bonanza, jointly organised by CRDB Bank and Parliament, serves as an important platform for strengthening ties between Parliament, citizens and the business community.

It also seeks to encourage physical activity as a means of combating non-communicable diseases.

During the ceremony, CRDB Bank handed over football, netball and basketball kits, along with equipment for other sports that will be contested during the event.

The sponsorship package also includes medals and trophies for winners, bringing the total value of the support to Sh450 million.

The bonanza, which reflects CRDB Bank’s continued commitment to promoting sports, public health and collaboration with public institutions, is expected to attract various national leaders.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mussa Azzan Zungu, is expected to officiate the event.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of Parliament, Bunge Bonanza Chairman Festo Sanga said Parliament traditionally organises the event as the Budget Session draws to a close each year. He thanked CRDB Bank for its continued support of the initiative.

To increase public participation, Sanga called on residents of Dodoma and neighbouring areas to attend the event and witness a unique occasion aimed at bringing together legislators, leaders and stakeholders through sports.

“Sports belong to the people. We invite all Tanzanians to come and cheer their Members of Parliament and leaders while learning about the importance of maintaining good health through sports,” he said.

Sanga also commended CRDB Bank for its significant contribution to the success of the bonanza and the development of sports in the country

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s ambition to build a competitive digital economy has received a fresh boost with preparations at an advanced stage for the 2026 ICT Awards, an initiative aimed at recognising innovators, businesses and institutions driving the country’s technological transformation.

The awards, organised by the ICT Commission (ICTC) in collaboration with Soft Ventures and the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA), come as the government intensifies efforts to harness technology as a driver of economic growth, job creation and improved public service delivery.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on June 17, 2026, ICT Commission Director-General Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga said the awards are designed to encourage innovation and recognise outstanding contributions in advancing information and communication technology (ICT) in Tanzania.

“The awards aim to recognise, appreciate and motivate individuals, companies and institutions that have contributed significantly to the development of ICT in the country,” he said.

The second edition of the awards will be held on July 15, 2026, at the SuperDome in Dar es Salaam, following the inaugural event in Arusha in 2025.

This year’s edition has attracted 345 applications across 14 categories and 44 sub-categories, reflecting growing interest in Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem.

Dr Mwasaga said the awards align with ICTC’s mandate to attract investment into the ICT sector, develop digital skills, coordinate strategic infrastructure projects and support research that unlocks economic opportunities through technology.

He said recognising innovators is a key step in strengthening Tanzania’s digital economy and encouraging further investment in technology-driven solutions. The awards come as Tanzania continues to position itself as a regional digital hub.

Over the past decade, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the National ICT Broadband Backbone, expansion of mobile broadband services and digitisation of government services through e-government platforms.

The digital transformation agenda is guided by the Digital Economy Framework, the National ICT Policy and Vision 2050, all of which emphasise innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption as engines of growth.

Industry stakeholders say recognition platforms such as the ICT Awards are critical in unlocking the full potential of the digital economy.

Head of Wholesale at Yas Business, Dr Yvonne Mashuda, said the awards provide a platform for showcasing home-grown solutions capable of solving real business and societal challenges.

“Digital innovation is becoming one of the strongest drivers of economic growth. These awards create visibility for innovators and inspire young people to develop competitive solutions,” she said.

Soft Ventures General Manager Ms Caroline Kombe said the initiative goes beyond recognition, describing it as a strategic investment in Tanzania’s digital future.

“When innovators are recognised, they gain credibility, attract partnerships and scale their ideas. That is how strong digital economies are built,” she said.

She noted that innovators continue to face challenges such as limited financing, market access and mentorship, adding that the awards help bridge these gaps by connecting them with investors and policymakers.

The awards have attracted support from institutions including UCSAF, YAS Tanzania, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Tanzania and TanzTech.

Johannesburg. South Africa’s biggest labour unions on Wednesday urged workers not to participate in anti-immigrant protests that have seized the country, and said they could face consequences if they skip work to attend.

South Africa is on edge ahead of a June 30 deadline which anti-immigrant groups have given for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country. Protests and potential civil unrest are expected, after weeks of sometimes violent xenophobic attacks.

Four major unions including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which represents around 2 million people, said in a statement that workers would not be protected ?if they do not go to work on June 30.

“We urge workers to report for duty and not place their employment at risk,” they said.

The unions echoed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on Tuesday not to scapegoat migrants for South Africa’s problems.

“Removing foreign nationals from workplaces, communities or public spaces will not reopen factories, repair municipalities, strengthen public healthcare or create sustainable jobs,” said the unions COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU and NACTU.

Africa’s largest economy has more job opportunities than many other African countries and has long attracted large numbers of foreign workers. Some politicians have seized on ?the issue in recent months to blame such migrants for widespread poverty and crime.

South African media outlets reported on Wednesday that clashes had erupted between police and thousands of Malawians awaiting repatriation in the coastal city of Durban. Police fired stun grenades and teargas after a crowd became agitated, said ?News24.

Malawi said earlier in the week that 10,000 of its nationals were in distress and hoping to return from South Africa. While the country has been organising buses to bring them home, it put ?out a public call for donations to assist with the effort.

“Government is resolute in its commitment to bring home every Malawian who wishes to return from South Africa,” the government ?said.

“However… the scale and urgency of the operation have created unprecedented financial, logistical, and humanitarian demands.”

Other countries including Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique have also repatriated citizens due to safety concerns.

Unguja. The Zanzibar Revolutionary Government has acknowledged a long-standing gap arising from the absence of a dedicated law governing the entire budget cycle.

Such a law, among other things, would define and clarify the roles and limits of key actors, including the House of Representatives Budget Committee and other stakeholders involved in public finance management.

This was revealed on Thursday, June 18, 2026, by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Juma Malik Akil, when responding to a question from Paje Representative, Mr Jaku Hashim Ayoub, CCM, who had sought to know why the legislation had not yet been enacted.

Mr Ayoub said the absence of a specific budget law made it difficult for actors in the budget cycle to clearly define their roles, responsibilities, and limits, particularly the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders.

“Since many parliaments have a budget law that clearly sets out how the budget cycle is managed, what are the fundamental reasons why such a law has not been enacted in our House of Representatives?” he asked.

In response, Dr Malik said the ministry was conducting a comprehensive review to develop an appropriate legal framework by identifying gaps in the Public Finance Management Act No. 12 of 2016.

He said the process involved internal ministerial reviews, stakeholder consultations, and an examination of existing public finance management laws and budget legislation in the East African region to ensure the proposed law adequately addresses existing gaps.

However, he noted that despite the absence of a standalone budget law, the government continues to implement the budget cycle using the Zanzibar Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act No. 12 of 2016.

He said the Act contains more than 16 provisions that establish the legal framework for budget management, alongside the 2021 Financial Regulations.

The matter was also raised by Pandani Representative, Prof Omar Fakih Hamad, ACT-Wazalendo, who said Zanzibar should already have a dedicated budget law, noting that lawmakers have repeatedly been told the legislation is “on the way.”

Arusha. The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by former Rural Energy Agency (REA) employee< Mr Prosper Peter Msellem, upholding a High Court ruling that declined to extend time for filing judicial review proceedings challenging his dismissal after more than four years’ delay, which the court said was insufficiently explained.

In a judgment delivered on June 16, 2026, a panel of Court of Appeal justices Barke Sehel, Paul Kihwelo and Ubena Agatho, sitting in Civil Appeal No. 190 of 2025, ruled that the High Court had properly exercised its discretion in rejecting Msellem’s application.

The decision is available on the Judiciary’s website.

Justice Agatho said the High Court was correct to refuse the application for extension of time to institute judicial review proceedings.

He noted that a general claim of ill health was insufficient to justify the delay without specific evidence showing the particular days on which the applicant was unable to act.

Mr Msellem, who previously served in various government institutions including REA, held positions such as Principal Statistician (Grade II) before later being appointed director of policy, research and planning after a transfer and subsequent return to the agency.

In 2017, he was issued with disciplinary charges, including dissemination of unauthorised information under applicable laws.

He was dismissed on January 26, 2018, after being found guilty.

He later appealed to the Public Service Commission (PSC), but his appeal was dismissed in May 2019 and the decision was subsequently upheld by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in October the same year.

After exhausting internal avenues, Mr Msellem sought to file for judicial review but delayed for more than four years and 169 days, prompting him to apply for extension of time, which the High Court rejected for lack of satisfactory explanation.

In 2017, he was issued with disciplinary charges, including dissemination of unauthorised information under applicable laws.

He was dismissed on January 26, 2018, after being found guilty.

He later appealed to the Public Service Commission (PSC), but his appeal was dismissed in May 2019 and the decision was subsequently upheld by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in October the same year.

After exhausting internal avenues, Mr Msellem sought to file for judicial review but delayed for more than four years and 169 days, prompting him to apply for extension of time, which the High Court rejected for lack of satisfactory explanation.

He argued on appeal that the High Court failed to consider his claim that his right to be heard was violated during disciplinary proceedings, as well as his ill health, which he said contributed to the delay.

Court decision

After evaluating submissions from both parties, the Court of Appeal agreed with the government that the alleged violation of the right to be heard was not sufficiently particularised to justify extension of time and would require substantive determination at trial.

The court further held that decisions by REA and the Public Service Commission were not final for purposes of judicial review, as the President’s decision constituted the final administrative determination.

On the claim of ill health, the court stressed that the law requires an applicant to specify, with precision, each period of delay attributable to incapacity.

Justice Agatho said Mr Msellem failed to adequately explain several periods, including between October 1, 2019 and January 20, 2020.

“A general claim of ill health is not sufficient unless each day of delay is accounted for,” the court said.

The judges concluded that the High Court had properly exercised its discretion and found no reason to interfere with its decision.

“The appellant ought to have provided evidence-backed explanations indicating which days he was in hospital and which days he was engaged in other matters. We therefore find no merit in the appeal,” the court ruled. The court made no order as to costs.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that Israeli settler groups could be added to a global blacklist for violations against children as he voiced alarm at a “staggering” rise in violations against Palestinian children.

The world body’s annual report on Children and Armed Conflict recorded 38,558 “grave violations” globally in 2025, affecting 24,174 children, the latter figure a record since CAAC’s mandate began in 1996.

The data showed 14,224 children killed or maimed, with a 34% rise over 2024 in the number killed to 6,266. It said the United Nations had verified the killing of 2,668 Palestinian children in Gaza and 57 in the West Bank.

The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters ?attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign that has since killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

“Countries with the highest levels of violations in 2025 were the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia,” a senior UN official said in a briefing on the report.

Settler groups in focus

Israel itself already features in the report’s so-called list of shame annexes for alleged violations, but the latest version for the first time highlights settlers as a potential future listing.

“I am appalled by the magnitude of grave violations against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, notably by the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas,” Guterres said in the report.

“I am deeply alarmed at ?the staggering rise in attacks carried out by Israeli settlers resulting in grave violations against Palestinian children,” Guterres added.

He said Israeli settler groups should be listed if the high number of violations is repeated in 2026.

The report said 9,465 grave violations were attributed to Israeli forces and 326 to Israeli settlers.

It defines grave violations as including the killing and maiming of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and attacks on ?schools and hospitals.

Israel’s U.N. mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hamas remains on blacklist

The report continues to blacklist Hamas’ armed wing and affiliated factions for killing and maiming children and for abductions, and attributes 2,806 violations to Palestinian armed groups.

The new report comes weeks after ?Guterres infuriated Israel by adding it to a separate U.N. blacklist of countries and parties suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict zones, a move that prompted Israel’s foreign ministry to say it would sever all ties with him.

Guterres said he was alarmed by ?the high number of children detained by Israel and reports of severe physical violence and poor conditions during detention, saying these “may constitute inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

Being blacklisted does not trigger automatic sanctions, but brings reputational harm and requires the negotiation of action plans to secure delisting.