Category: The Citizen

The government of Germany has provided a pound 8 million grant (more than Sh24.2 billion) to support the East African Community (EAC) in strengthening its capacity to prevent and respond to Ebola, and Mpox outbreaks as well as other infectious diseases across member states.

The funding, channelled through the German Development Bank (KfW), is aimed at reinforcing regional health security systems, expanding laboratory capacity and improving surveillance, and emergency response mechanisms for disease outbreaks within the region.

Speaking in Arusha on Friday, June 12, 2026, during the signing of the cooperation agreement, the East African Community Secretary General, Ambassador Stephen Mbundi, said the support reflects a partnership built on trust, solidarity, and shared responsibility in addressing persistent public health threats in the region. ‘We are receiving this important support from the government of Germany to further strengthen our efforts in combating disease outbreaks and improving the delivery of health services across our region,’ he said.

He added that part of the funding will support a new phase of interventions focused on enhancing outbreak preparedness, building technical expertise among health professionals, and upgrading laboratory systems in EAC partner states.

‘The EAC will implement targeted interventions to strengthen early disease detection, surveillance systems and timely outbreak response capacity,’ he said.

Mr Mbundi said the support will also enhance mobile laboratory services, and provide specialised training to experts, with the aim of harmonising service standards across all member countries.

He emphasised that Germany’s continued assistance reinforces the EAC’s ambition to build a self-reliant regional health system capable of responding effectively to emerging and recurring epidemics.

The Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Tanzania, Mr Manuel Mueller, said the pound 8 million agreement marks a new chapter in the partnership between the EAC and Germany, focusing on strengthening health security, safety, and resilience in East Africa.

He said the project aligns with the strategic objectives of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for communicable diseases while also enhancing overall laboratory capacity in the region.

Mr Mueller noted that the EAC will implement the project in close collaboration with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, which has been a key technical partner since the initiative was launched.

‘We will continue supporting the EAC in addressing these health challenges, recognising that epidemic diseases know no borders and, if neglected, can spread beyond the region and affect other continents,’ he said.

The restoration of the century-old MV Liemba, one of the most iconic vessels on Lake Tanganyika, has reached 75 percent completion, with the ship expected to resume operations in August 2026, marking a major boost to regional water transport and trade.

The vessel, which previously operated routes linking Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, has been out of service for three years undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

The overhaul is being carried out by Croatian firm M/S Brodosplit JSC in partnership with Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG), with the refurbished ship expected to carry up to 600 passengers and 200 tonnes of cargo. Once completed, it is expected to significantly enhance transport and commercial activity across the Lake Tanganyika corridor. Speaking during an inspection of the project on June 11, 2026, Kigoma Regional Administrative Secretary Hassan Rugwa said trial operations for MV Liemba are scheduled to begin in July, ahead of the official relaunch in August.

‘Remaining works are mainly tests. Experts have assured us that sea trials will begin in July and the vessel will start operations in August,’ he said.

He added that completion of the MV Liemba overhaul will pave the way for rehabilitation works on another historic vessel, MV Mwongozo.

Mr Rugwa also inspected ongoing upgrades at Kigoma Port on Lake Tanganyika, noting that the expansion project is expected to improve maritime transport efficiency and boost cross-border trade.

The $20 million project includes deepening the port basin and constructing a 150-metre berth capable of accommodating passenger vessels, with completion scheduled for October 2027, allowing two ships to dock simultaneously.

‘Essentially, we now have two passenger terminals as well as a cargo terminal, all undergoing expansion and rehabilitation works,’ he said.

He added that the projects form part of the Sixth-Phase Government’s efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to strengthen maritime transport infrastructure and open up investment opportunities in the region.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Shipping Company (TASHICO) representative Humphrey Mwambungu said the government investment in MV Liemba will deliver broad economic benefits, from small-scale traders to large business operators. He noted that there is currently no operational vessel of comparable passenger and cargo capacity on Lake Tanganyika.

‘Key components had been awaited, including the shaft and propeller, which have now arrived. What remains is fitting, and we expect the project to be completed by the end of July,’ he said.

The rehabilitation works began on July 13, 2024, and were initially scheduled for completion within 18 months. However, delays occurred due to late arrival of essential components, rising lake water levels that hindered dry-docking, and other logistical challenges during early phases of the project.

England’s preparations for their World Cup opener have been disrupted after a large amount of team equipment was stolen from a transport vehicle in Kansas City, US authorities and media reports have confirmed.

According to reports from UK and international media, the incident occurred as the squad’s equipment was being moved to their training base at Swope Soccer Village ahead of their first training session in the city.

Items believed to have been taken include players’ match boots, training footballs and other essential kit used for preparation. However, some reports indicate that key personalised boots and elite performance gear may not have been among the stolen items, with investigations still ongoing to establish the full extent of the loss.

The Kansas City Police Department has confirmed it is investigating a possible theft from a team vehicle, with local media reporting that two suspects have been detained in connection with the incident.

The Football Association (FA) is understood to be working closely with local authorities and logistics teams to recover the missing equipment and secure replacements in time for training schedules to continue as planned.

England’s camp is expected to regroup quickly, with head coach Thomas Tuchel overseeing preparations ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia.

The theft is the latest logistical setback for the team as they complete final preparations for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Iranian state media have reported that funeral ceremonies for the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

According to the reports, the ceremonies will also include a religious observance in the holy city of Qom on July 7, south of the Iranian capital.

The 86-year-old cleric, who had led the Islamic Republic for 36 years, is said to have died following Israeli and United States airstrikes on Iran on February 28, which reportedly targeted a central Tehran compound and caused extensive destruction. State media further claim that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, who was reportedly injured in the same strike and lost his wife, has succeeded him as Supreme Leader.

Islamic tradition requires burial to take place as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of death, although exceptions are made in extraordinary circumstances, including wartime conditions, the reports noted.

During his long rule, Khamenei was described as having strengthened Iran’s regional influence, building alliances with proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, while maintaining a hardline stance against internal dissent and Western pressure.

He remained a vocal critic of the United States throughout his leadership, even as successive American administrations attempted to resolve long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a further development reported by Pakistani media, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is said to have stated that Iran and the United States have agreed on a framework for a peace deal after more than three months of conflict, with an initial agreement expected to be signed within 24 hours.

Passengers travelling between Dodoma and Dar es Salaam are set to benefit from an additional Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) service after the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) announced the introduction of an extra Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train to accommodate rising demand.

TRC said the additional service will operate on June 12, 2026, following a sharp increase in passenger numbers on the busy route linking the political capital and the commercial hub.

The government has launched a major upgrade of the aircraft maintenance and repair hangar at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), a move aimed at reducing the cost of sending aircraft abroad for servicing and strengthening Tanzania’s aviation maintenance capacity.

Small-scale miners could gain easier access to financing, modern technology, geological data and reliable markets under sweeping reforms proposed in a government-commissioned report that also recommends the establishment of a $100 million mining development fund.

The report, presented to the government on Friday, outlines measures aimed at boosting productivity, accelerating formalisation and strengthening the contribution of small-scale mining to Tanzania’s economic growth.

The recommendations include the creation of a dedicated miners’ bank, improved access to affordable credit, expanded geological information services, wider adoption of modern mining technologies and stronger occupational health and safety standards. Presenting the findings, committee chairman Victor Tesha said the proposals seek to address longstanding challenges that continue to limit the growth of small-scale mining despite its significant contribution to the sector.

‘Small-scale miners contribute about 40 percent of the mining sector’s revenues, but many still face major obstacles, including limited access to finance, inadequate geological data, outdated equipment and weak institutional support,’ he said.

According to the report, about 72 percent of small-scale miners still rely on basic mineral recovery methods, resulting in low productivity, high operating costs and increased environmental and safety risks.

While acknowledging progress made through reforms such as the Mining Act and the Mineral Policy of 2009, the report argues that more targeted interventions are needed to unlock the sector’s full potential.

It notes that although the number of small-scale mining licences has increased significantly in recent years, many licence holders lack the capital, technical expertise, equipment and market access required to build sustainable mining businesses.

To bridge those gaps, the committee recommends the establishment of the Tanzania Mining Development Fund with initial government capital of $100 million.

The proposed fund would support geological surveys, improve access to financing, reduce investment risks and help miners develop bankable projects capable of attracting investors.

The report estimates that nearly $97 million would be needed to support 20 advanced mining projects.

Other recommendations include strengthening miner registration systems, expanding geological information services, improving access to modern mining technologies, classifying miners according to their investment capacity and enhancing coordination among institutions supporting the sector.

The committee argues that stronger support for small-scale miners would increase mineral production, create jobs, raise government revenues and deepen Tanzanian participation across the mining value chain.

‘The recommendations we are presenting mark the beginning of a new phase in the development of small-scale mining in Tanzania,’ Mr Tesha said.

‘With the right support systems in place, the country’s vast mineral resources can play an even greater role in driving national development.’

Speaking at the event, Minerals Minister Antony Mavunde said the government is intensifying efforts to empower small-scale miners, who account for about 40 percent of the country’s mineral production.

He said reforms introduced since 2017 have strengthened oversight of mineral trading and boosted revenue collection through the establishment of mineral markets and buying centres across the country.

‘The mining sector has undergone major transformation over the past several years, with revenues increasing substantially and more benefits being retained within the country,’ Mr Mavunde said.

According to the minister, mining sector revenues rose from Sh160 billion in the 2015/16 financial year to Sh1.3 trillion by June 2025, surpassing annual revenue targets.

He said part of that growth was driven by the increasing contribution of small-scale miners.

Among the initiatives already underway is the Credit Guarantee Corporation, which will provide guarantees covering up to 50 percent of eligible loans, making it easier for miners to secure financing from commercial banks.

‘We want our miners to have greater access to capital without depending heavily on foreign financiers,’ Mr Mavunde said.

‘Through these reforms, we are creating opportunities for Tanzanians to participate more effectively in mining and mineral trading.’

The minister also announced plans to allocate idle mining areas to active miners, expand geological research and encourage investment in mineral processing facilities to add value before minerals are exported.

He said the government is strengthening domestic gold trading systems and expanding access to local financing to enable miners to sell through local channels while enhancing Tanzania’s position in the global gold market.

Mr Mavunde expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would unlock the full potential of small-scale mining and further increase the sector’s contribution to economic growth and industrialisation.

The president of FEMATA, John Bina, said empowering small-scale miners was essential if they were to compete effectively with larger operators and foreign investors who often have greater financial resources.

‘There is no mining without capital investment. The sector requires technology and significant financial resources to operate successfully,’ he said.

‘It is therefore important for the banking sector to support miners so that they can expand and compete effectively.’

Mr Bina said FEMATA is pursuing plans to establish a Tanzania Miners’ Bank and called on the government to support the initiative.

He cited the Bank of Tanzania’s gold purchasing programme as an example of how targeted interventions can strengthen the sector.

‘Today, the Bank of Tanzania purchases gold, creating a reliable domestic market for the mineral. That intervention has helped stabilise the market and support miners,’ he said.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has challenged Tanzania’s financial sector to move beyond celebrating macroeconomic achievements and ensure economic growth translates into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly through affordable credit and broader access to financial services.

Speaking during the launch of celebrations marking 60 years of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) on Thursday, President Hassan said indicators such as economic growth, financial inclusion and banking sector expansion would mean little if they fail to improve livelihoods, expand opportunities and support small businesses.

The High Court of Tanzania in Mwanza Sub-Registry has ordered the trustees of Progressive Islamic Education Foundation, operators of Bismack Pre and Primary School, to pay more than Sh363.6 million to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) over unpaid workers’ contributions and related penalties.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, June 12, 2026, by Justice Emmanuel Ngigwana, followed a suit filed by the NSSF Board of Trustees and the Attorney General against the education institution.

The court found that the defendant failed to file a defence or seek leave to contest the claim within the period prescribed by law, prompting the matter to be determined through summary procedure. According to the judgment, the institution must pay more than Sh187 million in statutory employee contributions that were not remitted to NSSF between January 2018 and February 2024.

It was also ordered to pay more than Sh176.6 million in penalties and additional contributions arising from delayed remittances.

The court further awarded interest at seven percent per annum from the date of judgment until full settlement, in addition to legal costs.

NSSF told the court that the institution, a registered contributing employer, had failed to meet its legal obligation to remit employees’ social security contributions despite repeated follow-ups and demand notices.

Justice Ngigwana said documents submitted by the claimants, including the employer’s registration certificate, audit reports, schedules of unpaid contributions and demand letters, sufficiently proved the existence of the debt.

‘The plaintiffs have proved that the defendant, as a registered employer with NSSF, failed to fulfil its legal obligation to remit employees’ contributions,’ the court held.

The court agreed that the delayed remittances had affected NSSF’s statutory mandate to collect and safeguard workers’ contributions for future benefits.

In the absence of any defence from the institution, the court entered judgment in favour of NSSF and ordered payment of the full amount together with interest and costs.

Passengers unknowingly caught in drug trade as campaign targets bus travel

_: Hundreds of passengers, bus conductors and transport workers risk becoming entangled in drug trafficking networks simply by agreeing to carry parcels for strangers, authorities have warned, prompting the launch of a nationwide film campaign aimed at curbing the growing trend.

The initiative follows a rise in cases involving unsuspecting members of the public who have found themselves facing arrest and prosecution after unknowingly transporting luggage and packages containing narcotic drugs.

Mauricio Pochettino’s gameplan worked a treat in the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener on Friday, with the hosts showcasing an attacking fluidity and positional interplay that overwhelmed the South Americans.

Rather than relying ?on a single route to goal, the Americans attacked Paraguay from multiple angles, stretching the defence in wide areas and behind the back line in a performance that offered the clearest glimpse yet of Pochettino’s project.

Christian Pulisic was the focal point. Operating primarily from the left wing, the forward repeatedly drove at Paraguay’s back line, using his acceleration and close control to isolate defenders and ?create openings. While his main threat came from wide areas, he occasionally drifted inside to combine with Weston McKennie, helping ?the U.S. overload central zones and disrupt Paraguay’s defensive shape.

Those movements proved particularly problematic for right ?back Juan Caceres, who endured a difficult night as Pulisic repeatedly found space down his flank, forcing the defender into ?desperate challenges that resulted in an early booking.

The Americans’ dominance was not solely dependent on individual brilliance. Pochettino’s side frequently crowded ?central areas, with McKennie and Malik Tillman helping create numerical advantages in midfield while runners attacked the spaces created by Paraguay’s attempts to contain Pulisic.

On the opposite flank, Sergino Dest took longer to impose himself but grew increasingly influential as the match wore on.

Two powerful surges forward ?highlighted his ability to turn defence into attack in an instant, including one first-half run that could easily have resulted in ?another goal.

The variety of the United States’ attacking patterns may have been the most encouraging sign for Pochettino.

Pulisic’s wing play and combination football ?the eye, but the Americans were equally dangerous attacking directly through the middle.

Folarin Balogun’s superb individual goal on the stroke of halftime, after latching onto a defence-splitting pass from Tillman, illustrated another dimension of an attack that looked capable of hurting their opponents in several different ways.

While the U.S. overloaded midfield and committed numbers forward, Paraguay’s attacking threats struggled to bear fruit.

Julio Enciso ?and Antonio Sanabria were often ?left isolated and forced into ?low-percentage opportunities as the Americans controlled possession and territory for long stretches.

After a blistering first half, during which Balogun struck twice and the contest was effectively settled, Pochettino began rotating his ?key players.

Pulisic departed at halftime, while Balogun and Dest were later taken off, suggesting the ?Argentine was already ?mindful of the challenges that lie ahead in the group stage where they face Australia next on Friday and then Turkey on June 25.

Although substitute Mauricio briefly reduced the deficit for Paraguay, the U.S. continued to find gaps in the ?closing stages, ?and a late move carved open the Paraguay defence again before Gio ?Reyna applied the finishing touch.

The scoreline spoiled Paraguay’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years but more significantly for the hosts, it offered perhaps the clearest ?sign yet of the attacking identity Pochettino has sought to instill since taking charge.