Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The principle of “equal opportunity”, as enshrined in the foundational documents of the United Republic of Tanzania, is currently facing a silent but systemic deconstruction.

As one traverses the country, from the bustling wards of Kinondoni to the semi-arid plains of Bahi, a literal and figurative wall is being erected within the gates of public primary schools. On one side of the wall lies the “upgraded” English Medium wing.

On the other, the regular Swahili-medium wing continues to buckle under the weight of a “sorrowful” state of public education, defined by crumbling infrastructure and chronic overcrowding. This investigation reveals that the government’s rapid expansion of public English Medium schools, is not merely a “progressive” pedagogical shift, as authorities claim.

Rather, it is a profound administrative and financial crisis that has created a “two-tier” education system, effectively institutionalising class divisions within the public sector in direct violation of Article 11 of the Constitution. The ‘Special Arrangement’ trap The legal bedrock of Tanzania’s education sector is Article 11 (2 and 3) of the 1977 Constitution, which mandates that every citizen has a right to education and that the state must ensure equal opportunity for all to achieve their potential.

Furthermore, the 2014 Education and Training Policy historically designated Kiswahili as the primary medium of basic instruction. However, recent years have seen a wave of “special arrangements” that allow municipal councils to bypass these standards to meet the “appetite” of the urban middle class.

The implementation of the “fee-free” education policy in 2016 was intended to equalise the playing field. However, the reality shows that the government has struggled with chronic under-budgeting and disbursement delays.

The CAG reports say that for primary school infrastructure, the government often fails to release the full budgeted amount, leading to a reliance on donor-funded projects that are frequently delayed. Into this financial vacuum, public English Medium schools have stepped in as “semi-private” revenue generators.

At Bahi English Medium Primary School in Dodoma, a government-owned institution, parents are required to pay a “food contribution” of Sh250,000 and an “admission fee” of Sh250,000. Nationally, these “contributions” range from Sh300,000 to Sh600,000. For parents like Sophia Amoni in Sinza, this is a manageable “alternative” to expensive private schools. But for her neighbour Juma, a petty trader, it is a wall he cannot climb.

This financial barrier effectively excludes low-income families from the very quality the public sector is meant to provide, forcing their children into under-resourced Swahili-medium schools. By allowing these fees, authorities have offloaded the responsibility of providing quality education onto the individual parent, abandoning their constitutional mandate.

A tale of two ratios The accountability gap is not merely a matter of policy debate; it is reflected in the stark disparities found in the National Audit Office (NAOT) reports. According to the 2021 Performance Audit by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), the national average classroom-to-pupil ratio (PCR) was a staggering 1:76, nearly double the required standard of 1:40. Approximately 5.

38 million pupils nationwide were forced to sit outside their classrooms due to a lack of space. Contrast this with the newly minted English Medium public schools.

In Kinondoni and Ubungo, the “upgraded” wings enjoy a PCR of around 1:47, while the Swahili-medium wings in the same compound suffer with ratios as high as 1:72. Similarly, the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) in English wings is 1:55, compared to 1:63 in the Swahili wings. This preferential treatment means that the state is actively providing better learning environments ‘privatisation’ for a select few while the majority of Tanzanian children, 6.

31 million of whom lack even basic latrines, are left in substandard conditions. In Songea Municipality, the Chief Zulu English Medium Primary School was recently launched after being built for Sh626.4 million using internal municipal revenue.

While the school offers ICT rooms and French lessons for 491 pupils, critics point to the “silo” approach to development. Why, they ask, is nearly a billion shillings of tax revenue diverted to a select 500 students when the district as a whole faces a massive infrastructure deficit?.

A veteran education researcher and founding member of HakiElimu, Mr Japhet Makongo, views these “special arrangements” as a dangerous deviation from constitutional duty. “We have to make decisions based on the interests of many,” he observes.

“If we are convinced that the English language will help the Tanzanian child, then let’s make it a medium of instruction in all public schools, not just to a select few”. He argues that by allowing a selective upgrade, the government has turned a public right into a marketable commodity, creating a system where “quality” is reserved for those who can pay.

While the government brands this as providing “options,” stakeholders argue it is a discriminatory reallocation of state power. “Now government schools are becoming class-oriented,” notes an education commentator, Mr Ben Barka.

“Upper level (English) for the rich and lower level (Swahili) for the poor”. Administrative silos, the pedagogical nightmare The root of this crisis, experts say, lies in a total lack of coordination between the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG).

While MoEST formulates policy, PO-RALG manages the infrastructure. Local councils, such as Bahi and Kinondoni, are independently making decisions to “upgrade” schools without a unified national plan that ensures the Swahili-medium majority is not further neglected.

This administrative disconnect has created what Richard Mabala, a renowned education commentator, calls a “pedagogical nightmare”. He warns that secondary schools will soon receive Form I students from two vastly different linguistic systems.

“He [the teacher] cannot go too fast because he’ll fail those from Kiswahili medium and he cannot go too slow because he’ll bore those from English mediums,” Mabala explains. “How can one achieve equal opportunity in such circumstances?”.

Educational psychologists and researchers argue that the “quality” being sold in these English wings is often an illusion that masks systemic weakness. Research by Lucy Ringo, an educator based at St.

John’s University of Tanzania, shows that teacher competence in English remains a critical issue; some instructors in public schools still pronounce “chalk” as “chaki” and “sentence” as “sentensi”. Her research, ‘Teachers’ Competence in English Language Teaching in Tanzanian Primary Schools’ notes that 87.5 percent of teachers surveyed had not attended recent in-service training, meaning the pedagogical core of these schools remains stagnant.

A prominent Educational Psychologist from the University of Dar es Salaam, Richard Shukia, argues that the “two-tier” system actively stunts the development of 21st-century skills like collaboration and social responsibility. “Collaboration requires a shared environment where students of different backgrounds learn to solve problems together,” Shukia observes.

When children are segregated by their parents’ ability to pay, the “enacted curriculum” teaches them that their worth is tied to class, not merit. Shukia’s analysis found that only 3.

1 percent of Standard III syllabus activities were related to collaboration, a deficiency that is only worsened by physical segregation in the school yard. Until the National Assembly holds the executive accountable for the implementation of Article 11, the wall at Sinza and the fees at Bahi will remain as monuments to an education system that has chosen to leave its poorest behind.

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Moshi. The town of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro Region holds many histories and untold stories hidden within its old buildings.

Among the most intriguing is the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) building, which also houses the Coffee Tree Hotel (CTH). The four-storey structure still preserves memories of a room believed to have once hosted a representative of the British royal family in the 1950s.

Inside this landmark building in East Africa are walls, rooms, infrastructure, and furniture that reflect the struggle, dignity, and success of Kilimanjaro coffee farmers and the wider northern region. One of the most talked-about rooms is believed to have been occupied by Queen Margaret, who was said to be representing Queen Elizabeth II during the coronation ceremonies of Chagga Chief Mangi Thomas Marealle in 1956. Since then, the room has remained part of a history passed down from generation to generation.

The Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) building, which houses a hotel and was established by local coffee farmers in 1956 in Moshi District, Kilimanjaro Region. PHOTO | JANETH JOSEPH.

Elders in Moshi recall that royal visits at the time were major events that demanded elaborate preparations to ensure the highest standards of hospitality. It is these preparations that gave the room its special status, which continues to be remembered to this day.

However, the hotel’s reputation was not built on royal visits alone. Over the years, it also hosted several prominent figures, becoming an important part of Moshi’s social and economic history.

One of its most remarkable features is an old, large refrigerator that still stands out today. The fridge is said to have been capable of storing meat from more than two cattle at a time due to its size.

Many believe it was among the first refrigerators brought into the country during that period. The hotel’s history is closely tied to the struggle for dignity by Kilimanjaro coffee farmers.

During the colonial era, some British hotel owners in Moshi reportedly discouraged African farmers from using establishments such as the then Livingstone Hotel. This exclusion was seen as a deep insult to farmers who cultivated and sold coffee that significantly contributed to the local economy.

In response, cooperative leaders resolved to build their own hotel, a place where everyone would be served with equal respect and dignity, free from discrimination. The decision was not easy.

But the unity of farmers changed history. Each member agreed to contribute 15 cents from their coffee earnings.

Funds were collected until they reached Sh2 million, a huge sum at the time. With this, the farmers built not just a hotel, but a lasting symbol of pride, unity, and collective strength.

To this day, the Coffee Tree Hotel and the so-called Queen’s Room remain physical reminders of that history. They stand as proof that buildings do not always speak in words, but through stories preserved within their walls.

KNCU elders speak Recalling the history, one of the elders of the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU), Mr Charles Lyimo, says the building, financed through farmers’ contributions, brought great pride to the region. “This hotel was the tallest building in town at the time.

It had a lift. At that time, there was no other building with a lift.

This was the only one in East Africa,” he says. Mr Lyimo says the lift was among the first installed in a hotel building of its kind and that the structure was considered one of the most modern in East Africa, then comprising Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Why KNCU built the hotel In a special interview with The Citizen sister newspaper, Mwananchi, Mr Lyimo says Kilimanjaro farmers faced widespread discrimination from European colonialists. “There was a famous hotel in Moshi called the Livingstone Hotel (later Moshi Hotel), which was reserved for whites only.

Europeans stayed upstairs while Africans were not even allowed into those areas,” he says, adding that this deeply angered the farmers. “Why are we not allowed to stay upstairs like them?” they asked, before deciding to establish their own hotel through the cooperative.

Mr Lyimo says each farmer agreed to contribute by having 15 cents deducted from coffee sales, which funded the construction of the KNCU hotel, at the time the tallest building in East Africa. “After the hotel was completed, the farmers rose and proved they could do it.

They sat upstairs, eating meat and drinking beer while watching Europeans downstairs,” he says. “This was a symbol of pride in their dignity and proof that Africans could also build, own, and manage large buildings just like Europeans,” he adds.

4 Room number 10, where Princess Margaret once stayed while representing Queen Elizabeth II at the coronation ceremony of Chagga Chief Thomas Marealle in 1956, at Coffee Tree Hotel (CTH), located within the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU) building, Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union. PHOTO | JANETY JOSEPH.

The arrival of the Queen According to Mr Lyimo, in 1956, when Queen Margaret visited, she stayed in a special room number 10, which was equipped with all services befitting a royal guest. He says the hotel also had large modern refrigerators at the time, capable of storing meat from more than two cattle.

Mr Lyimo says the refrigerators were among the first of their kind in the country and were imported from Germany. “These refrigerators could store meat from more than two slaughtered cattle.

At that time in Tanganyika, they were among the most modern and unique appliances ever brought into the country,” says Mr Lyimo. Another elder, Mr Gabriel Ulomi, says that by 1956, Kilimanjaro had already made significant progress, including the construction of the hotel where the Queen stayed, which remains part of Moshi’s historical identity.

“KNCU was the first hotel in the Northern Zone to have a lift and among the first in East Africa to feature modern facilities in Moshi at that time. By 1956, the hotel was already operational and had become an important venue for receiving high-profile leaders and guests visiting the Kilimanjaro Region,” says Mr Ulomi.

“In 1956, Queen Margaret stayed at the KNCU Hotel during her visit to Moshi. At that time, the hotel was among the best in northern Tanzania.

Its existence reflected the status of KNCU as a major institution owned by Kilimanjaro farmers and its significant contribution to the coffee economy,” he says. Through its coffee quality, KNCU built a strong global reputation as a cooperative producing and managing premium coffee.

This helped Kilimanjaro and Tanzania gain international recognition in the global coffee trade. .

For decades, English has been viewed as the most important international language for Tanzanian students seeking global opportunities. Today, however, the world is changing rapidly.

Economic power is becoming more diverse, international trade routes are expanding, and emerging technologies are bringing nations closer than ever before. As a result, Tanzania’s education sector is increasingly encouraging learners to look beyond English and embrace other foreign languages such as Chinese, French and Arabic.

The shift is reflected in recent education reforms and curriculum changes that have expanded language-learning opportunities for students. Policymakers argue that language skills are no longer merely academic subjects but strategic tools that can determine a young person’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The question is no longer whether Tanzanian students should learn additional languages. The question is whether they can afford not to.

The world rewards multilingual citizens Across the globe, multilingualism is increasingly becoming a valuable economic asset. According to the World Economic Forum, employers are placing greater value on workers who can communicate across cultures and markets.

In a world where businesses operate across continents, language skills are becoming as important as technical competencies. Tanzania’s Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of preparing learners for a globally interconnected economy.

Education reforms, he argues, must equip students with skills that extend beyond traditional classroom knowledge. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also publicly encouraged education authorities to consider expanding the teaching of languages such as Chinese alongside other foreign languages, arguing that Tanzania must prepare its young people to engage with countries that have strong economic ties with the nation.

Education experts say the argument is straightforward. “Language is not just a communication tool; it is an economic tool,” says an education analyst, Dr Aikande Kwayu.

“When a Tanzanian graduate speaks Chinese, French or Arabic in addition to Kiswahili and English, that individual immediately becomes more competitive in international business, diplomacy, tourism, logistics and development work.” Why Chinese is attracting attention Perhaps no foreign language has generated more interest in Tanzania in recent years than Chinese.

The growing economic relationship between Tanzania and China has created demand for professionals capable of bridging communication gaps between businesses, investors and institutions. Recognizing this need, the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam was established in 2013 through a partnership involving the university and Chinese institutions.

Its mission includes teaching Chinese language, facilitating cultural exchange and supporting educational cooperation between the two countries. The institute has expanded significantly, offering degree programmes, diplomas, short courses and proficiency examinations.

It has also extended language programmes to several universities and schools across Tanzania. In 2025, the institute gained international recognition after being named among the world’s top-performing centres for administering the Chinese Language Proficiency Test (HSK), highlighting Tanzania’s growing role in Chinese language education in Africa.

For many students, the attraction is practical rather than cultural. Chinese firms are involved in major infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, transport and technology projects across Tanzania.

Graduates who can communicate directly with Chinese partners often find themselves enjoying a competitive advantage in the labour market. “Language creates trust,” says labour market analyst Dr Stephen Mhando.

“An engineer who speaks Chinese can communicate directly with Chinese contractors. A tourism officer can serve Chinese visitors better.

A trade officer can negotiate more effectively. Language creates opportunities.

” French and Arabic remain strategic While Chinese attracts headlines, experts caution against viewing multilingualism solely through the lens of China. French remains one of Africa’s most influential languages.

More than 300 million people globally speak French, and many of Tanzania’s neighbours maintain strong French-speaking populations. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi are increasingly important trading partners.

The growth of regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) means communication across linguistic borders will become increasingly important. “French is the language of opportunity in much of Africa,” says regional integration expert Prof Humphrey Moshi.

“As trade within Africa grows, young Tanzanians who speak French will enjoy advantages that many others do not.” Arabic presents similar opportunities.

The Middle East remains a major destination for Tanzanian workers, investors, tourists and students. Arabic proficiency can support careers in diplomacy, international relations, religious studies and aviation, trade and migration services.

For a country strategically located along the Indian Ocean and historically connected to Arab-speaking communities, Arabic carries both cultural and economic significance. The technology aspect One reason language education is becoming more accessible is technology.

A decade ago, learning a foreign language often required expensive classes, textbooks or overseas study. Today, artificial intelligence-powered applications, virtual classrooms, language exchange platforms and online tutors have dramatically lowered barriers.

According to UNESCO, digital technologies are expanding access to education and creating new opportunities for lifelong learning. Students can now practise pronunciation with AI tools, attend online lessons from native speakers and participate in global language communities without leaving their homes.

Educational technology specialist Dr Deus Ngaruko believes this is a game-changer for Tanzania. “Technology has democratised language learning,” he says.

“A student in Kigoma or Mtwara can access resources that were previously available only in major cities. Mobile phones have become language laboratories.

” This is particularly important in a country where internet access and smartphone ownership continue to expand. Experts also emphasise that learning another language goes beyond employment.

Research consistently shows that language learning enhances intercultural understanding and broadens perspectives. Students who learn foreign languages gain exposure to different histories, values and ways of thinking.

Such skills are increasingly valuable in diplomacy, international development, academia and global business. Why parents should take language learning seriously.

For many parents, foreign languages may still appear to be optional subjects. Education experts disagree.

They argue that parents should actively encourage children to take advantage of language opportunities while they are young. Research has long shown that younger learners generally acquire pronunciation and communication skills more easily than adults.

Parents who encourage multilingualism are effectively investing in their children’s future employability and adaptability. “Parents spend significant resources on tuition and examination preparation,” says Dr Ngaruko.

“They should view language learning in the same way, an investment that may open doors decades later.” Experts recommend that parents support language learning by encouraging reading, educational videos, language applications and participation in school language clubs.

A balancing act However, experts also stress that embracing foreign languages should not come at the expense of Kiswahili. Kiswahili remains Tanzania’s national identity, a unifying force and one of Africa’s most influential languages.

The goal, they argue, is multilingualism rather than language replacement. A Tanzanian student who speaks fluent Kiswahili, English and an additional international language enters adulthood with a powerful combination of local identity and global competitiveness.

As Tanzania pursues industrialization, digital transformation and deeper integration into regional and global markets, the demand for multilingual professionals is likely to increase. The rise of institutions such as the Confucius Institute, the growing emphasis on foreign-language education in schools and advances in digital learning all point in one direction.

Language learning is no longer a luxury reserved for diplomats and academics. It is becoming an essential skill for participation in the global economy.

In a world where opportunities increasingly cross borders, language could become one of the most valuable passports a young Tanzanian can possess. .

Moshi. Muslim women have been urged to avoid competing in fashion, clothing and beauty trends and instead focus on good morals, fear of God and proper family upbringing.

The call was made on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, by Sheikh Thabit Tarimo during Eid al-Adha sermons delivered at a regional prayer service held at Riadha Mosque in Kilimanjaro Region. Addressing hundreds of worshippers, Sheikh Tarimo said true beauty is not found in outward appearance alone, but in good character and piety.

He said many women have increasingly engaged in competition over clothing and adornment while neglecting religious principles and moral values that should guide daily life. “You love beautification, but the best adornment is taqwa.

You compete in clothing, but the best garment is modesty and good morals,” he said. Sheikh Tarimo said women with good morals and God-consciousness play a key role in building strong families and a respectful society.

He also urged men to ensure they encourage their wives and children to observe prayers and adhere to religious teachings. “A father may go to the mosque for every prayer, but his wife does not pray and his children do not pray, while he makes no effort to guide them.

Everyone will be accountable for their family,” he said. He said it is not appropriate for a parent to focus solely on personal worship while neglecting the spiritual guidance of their family.

The sheikh further emphasised the importance of teaching children to pray from an early age in order to build a strong foundation in faith and morals. “We have been instructed to teach our children to pray from a young age so that they grow up on the right path,” he said.

He said observing the five daily prayers on time is a fundamental duty for Muslims, adding that negligence in prayer can affect one’s spiritual life. Sheikh Tarimo also urged worshippers to use Eid al-Adha as an opportunity for self-reflection and to improve their conduct in line with religious teachings.

One of the worshippers, Khadija Lema, said the sermon served as an important reminder to women about their role in family upbringing and moral values. “We have been reminded that a woman’s dignity is not in expensive clothing, but in good character, proper upbringing and fear of God,” she said.

Another worshipper, Omar Mongi, said Eid is a time for strengthening unity, helping one another and promoting love within society. .

Songwe. Police in Songwe Region are searching for a woman identified as Queen Mbuba, who is accused of killing her husband, Shizya Mwangwale, 35, of Igunda Village in Mbozi District.

The deceased was allegedly injected with a substance suspected to be poison in his left shoulder before later being stabbed on the right side of his abdomen by his wife, who reportedly fled immediately after the incident. Songwe Regional Police Commander Augustino Senga said the incident occurred on Friday, May 22, 2026, at around 3 am.

According to police, when Shizya questioned his wife about the injection, she allegedly told him it was medicine intended to treat a leg condition that had been troubling him. Commander Senga said the victim was initially taken to Mbozi District Hospital for treatment before being transferred to Mbeya Referral Hospital, where he died on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while receiving treatment.

“Preliminary investigations have established that the incident was caused by romantic jealousy, with the suspect accusing the deceased of having relationships with other women,” said RPC Senga. He said police were continuing efforts to arrest the suspect so that legal action could be taken against her.

Songwe Regional Police have appealed to members of the public to cooperate by providing information that could assist in locating the suspect. They also urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead seek legal and peaceful means of resolving family and community disputes.

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Ugandan banking veteran Herman Kasekende has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania, effective May 26, 2026, ending a distinguished regional career spanning more than two decades. He will be succeeded by Geoffrey Mchangila, who assumes leadership of the bank’s Tanzanian franchise.

Kasekende is widely regarded as a transformative figure in East African banking, credited with advancing SME financing and strengthening corporate partnerships across the region. His tenure began in Uganda in 1998, rising to become the first Ugandan CEO of Standard Chartered Uganda in 2012, a milestone that reshaped local leadership in international banking.

He later served in regional roles across Nairobi, Kenya, before leading operations in Tanzania from July 2022, where he focused on sustainable growth and financial inclusion. Industry colleagues credit him with pioneering SME banking centres and landmark financing deals that boosted private sector development.

Beyond banking, Kasekende has also been involved in governance and advisory roles across East Africa. His departure marks the end of an era in regional banking leadership.

The bank said the transition would ensure continuity and stability in its Tanzanian operations. .

Dar es Salaam. The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has launched a feasibility study in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Mwanza to assess the potential of converting waste into energy as part of efforts to improve waste management and expand renewable energy options.

The study will examine different types of waste generated in the three cities and determine whether they can be commercially converted into energy. Speaking to The Citizen, NEMC Director of Environmental Research and Management, Mr Menan Jangu, said the assessment will also determine the economic viability of the identified waste materials.

“We are assessing all forms of waste that can potentially be converted into energy. In some cases, you may identify waste materials, but later discover that they do not have sufficient economic value,” he said.

The nine-month study is expected to begin in June, following the signing of the project agreement in March this year. Mr Jangu said the exercise will also assess waste collection systems to determine whether they can support a reliable supply of raw materials for energy production.

“The assessment will determine whether the existing collection systems can ensure a reliable supply of raw materials for energy production and whether the identified waste can practically be converted into energy,” he said. He said NEMC has received support from Sweefunds, a United Kingdom-based development finance institution, to fund consultancy services for a study on converting biomass residues into biofuel in Tanzania.

The study aims to establish the technical and economic viability of a value chain for converting urban and agricultural waste into biofuel. “The objective of the project is to establish the technical and economic viability of a sustainable value chain for converting urban and agricultural residues into biofuel,” he said.

The study is being conducted in collaboration with Environment Resources Consultant, a local firm. Mr Jangu said the findings will guide future investment decisions, including the establishment of waste-to-energy plants in selected cities.

“Once the assessment is completed, we will identify the most suitable investment areas, including locations for production facilities and the most appropriate technologies to be used,” he said. Meanwhile, NEMC Director of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Ms Lilian Lukambuzi, said increased volumes of hazardous materials passing through the Port of Dar es Salaam require stricter monitoring.

She said Tanzania’s role as a regional transit hub means chemicals such as sulphur continue to be transported through the country to neighbouring states, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Before ships carrying sulphur arrive at the port, meetings are convened involving the Tanzania Ports Authority and other regulatory agencies to identify possible risks and agree on safety measures,” she said.

Ms Lukambuzi said companies handling sulphur must comply with environmental regulations, including conducting Environmental Impact Assessments and obtaining permits. “We inspect vehicles before loading begins and closely monitor the transportation and storage process to ensure there is no environmental contamination,” she said.

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Dodoma. The Mufti and Chief Sheikh of Tanzania, Abubakar Zuberi bin Ally, has called on Muslims and Tanzanians at large to use the Eid ul-Adha celebrations to strengthen unity, solidarity, and uphold peace across the country.

The message was delivered in Dodoma on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, by the Chief Spokesperson of the Mufti of Tanzania, Dr Harith Kusa, during Eid ul-Adha prayers. He said the Mufti emphasised love, cooperation, and mutual respect as key pillars for sustaining national stability.

Furthermore, he said Eid ul-Adha should serve as a reminder of citizens’ responsibility to safeguard peace, protect the environment, and uphold moral values in society. “The Mufti has urged Tanzanians to use this Eid to remind themselves of their duty to protect the peace of our nation, the environment, and to avoid environmental pollution,” said Dr Kusa.

He added that the Mufti stressed that peace begins at the family level, extending to neighbours, workplaces, and the wider society before culminating in a united and stable nation. Dr Kusa said the Mufti cited the example of the Hajj pilgrimage, which brings together millions of Muslims from different countries in peace and unity without conflict, as a demonstration of the importance of solidarity among people.

He further said Tanzanians should value their nation and ensure they protect it by observing laws, ethics, religious principles, and national regulations. “The Mufti has emphasised that Tanzanians must protect their country by following laws, morals and religious principles as guided in the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as the laws of the country,” he said.

A Muslim faithful in Dodoma, Mr Mbwana Haji, said Muslims and Tanzanians in general should uphold unity and solidarity, which form the foundation of development and success in all aspects of life. He said national, community, and ethnic development cannot be achieved without love, unity, and cooperation among citizens.

The Eid ul-Adha message comes at a time when religious leaders across the country continue to stress social cohesion, warning that divisions and mistrust can undermine development efforts and weaken community resilience. Eid ul-Adha celebrations in Tanzania have in recent years also been used as platforms to reinforce messages on responsible citizenship, environmental protection, and respect for the rule of law, with leaders urging worshippers to translate religious teachings into daily conduct.

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I remember the culture shock of my first professional role in Tanzania. It was a Monday morning, and before any work had begun, a senior leader berated the team publicly.

Voices were raised, mistakes were named, no context was given nor was any response was invited. Despite later hearing the grumbling and angry murmurs among staff, I assumed that it was my first week so clearly something had to have gone wrong, only for this fear based “leadership” scenario to repeat itself the very next week and the week after that.

After the meeting, staff spoke candidly when the leader was absent, but fell into careful silence when he entered the room. What looked like respect from above was, in practice, fear.

And that fear came at a cost. People stopped volunteering ideas, risky suggestions were dismissed before they were fully formed, and initiative narrowed to what felt safest.

The organization lost creativity. This is the quiet cost of fear-based leadership.

It produces compliance, but it suppresses the very information leaders need to make good decisions. Silence in these environments is not agreement, it’s a rational response to perceived risk.

When people learn that speaking up leads to humiliation or punishment, they adapt by withholding insight. Over time, organizations mistake this absence of challenge for alignment, when it is in fact disengagement taking root.

Fear-based leadership rarely presents itself honestly. Organizational psychology is clear that fear does not improve judgement, learning, or commitment.

Instead, it narrows attention, discourages risk-taking, and prioritizes self-protection over contribution. Research led by Amy Edmondson, an American scholar of leadership and currently Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, demonstrates that teams perform best when people can speak up, admit mistakes, and challenge ideas without fear of embarrassment or retaliation.

Fear-based leadership is often rooted in power insecurity, where leaders who feel uncertain about their authority punish dissent and resist feedback. In our culture, this is reinforced by control bias, the belief that constant oversight is necessary to maintain performance.

The result is slower execution, reduced ownership, and systems that only function when authority is continually asserted. Left unexamined, these patterns become embedded in everyday leadership behavior.

Changing them requires conscious, practical shifts in how power is exercised and how feedback is received. Here is an action list that translates responsibility into daily leadership practice: 1.

Notice where silence consistently appears and treat it as information. 2.

Separate rigour from intimidation through stable, predictable expectations. 3.

Respond to respectful challenge with curiosity rather than defensiveness. 4.

Reduce unnecessary control mechanisms that signal distrust. 5.

Seek feedback downward, where the impact of your leadership is felt most. Remember fear may produce compliance, but it never produces excellence.

Fear-based leadership is rarely about maintaining standards and more often reflects anxiety about control or being challenged. When silence is mistaken for alignment, leadership shifts from responsibility to self-preservation.

Effective leadership is defined not by the absence of challenge, but by the presence of trust. Leadership is a responsibility to create conditions in which others can perform well, even when you are not in the room.

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Dar es Salaam. As the 2025/2026 Mainland Tanzania Premier League season approaches its decisive stages, the race for the Golden Boot has taken an unusual but exciting direction.

Rather than traditional centre-forwards dominating the charts, two attacking midfielders have emerged as the league’s deadliest finishers, Azam FC star Feisal Salum and Young Africans (Yanga) playmaker Allan Okello. Feisal, popularly known as “Fei Toto,” currently tops the scoring standings with 14 goals, while Ugandan international Okello sits second with 11 goals, turning the individual contest into one of the season’s most captivating storylines.

The battle is particularly remarkable because both players are naturally creators before scorers. Yet throughout the campaign, they have consistently outperformed several recognised strikers, highlighting the tactical evolution of attacking football in Tanzania.

For Azam FC, Feisal has become far more than just a playmaker. The Zanzibar-born midfielder has evolved into the team’s creative engine, leader and most reliable goal source.

Traditionally admired for his passing range, vision and ability to unlock defenses, Feisal has added another dimension to his game this season, ruthless finishing. His 14-goal tally reflects both intelligence and consistency.

Whether arriving late into the penalty area, scoring from distance or converting set-pieces, Feisal has developed into one of the most unpredictable attacking players in the league. In many matches, he has carried Azam’s attacking responsibility almost single-handedly.

Beyond goals, Feisal continues to rank among the league’s leading assist providers, underlining his importance to Azam’s overall attacking structure. His performances have reinforced the growing belief that modern midfielders no longer need to choose between scoring and creating, they can dominate both aspects.

On the other side stands Okello, whose impact at Yanga has been equally significant. Since arriving in Tanzania, the elegant midfielder has quickly adapted to the intensity and demands of the Mainland Premier League.

Blessed with technical quality, composure and excellent movement, Okello has added another attacking layer to Yanga’s already dangerous frontline. His 11 goals have come despite often operating deeper than the club’s strikers, proving how influential he has become in the defending champions’ title defence.

Unlike Feisal, who shoulders much of Azam’s creative burden, Okello operates within Yanga’s fluid and balanced attacking system alongside players such as Prince Dube, Mudathir Yahya and Pacome Zouzoua. That attacking depth has allowed Yanga to remain among the league’s most dangerous offensive sides throughout the campaign.

The scoring charts also reveal an interesting balance between local and foreign talent. Among local players, Feisal leads comfortably with 14 goals.

Yanga midfielder Mudathir Yahya has scored eight goals, while Azam’s Idd Selemani also sits on eight. JKT Tanzania duo Salehe Karabaka and Paul Peter have each netted eight goals, with Simba SC’s Selemani Mwalimu completing the leading local scorers on the same tally.

Among foreign players, Okello leads with 11 goals, followed by Yanga striker Prince Dube with nine. Singida Black Stars forward Ndumumwe Mossi with nine goals and Namungo FC striker Fabrice Ngoy scored eight goals.

The numbers underline how local players continue to dominate the scoring charts numerically, while foreign imports remain highly influential, particularly within title-chasing teams. Consistency could ultimately decide the Golden Boot race.

Feisal has maintained impressive scoring form almost throughout the season, while Okello has gained momentum during the second half of the campaign as Yanga intensified their push for another league title. With five matches still remaining, the contest is far from settled.

Feisal may hold the advantage with his three-goal cushion, but Okello’s form and Yanga’s attacking firepower ensure the race remains alive. Regardless of who eventually lifts the Golden Boot award, the rivalry between Feisal and Okello has already added quality, excitement and a fresh tactical dimension to the Mainland Premier League season — proving that in modern football, attacking midfielders can be just as lethal as strikers.

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