Category: The Citizen

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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It is no secret. Tanzanians know it, and the world knows it too: our country remains trapped in a political and social crisis triggered by events before and after the October 29, 2025, General Election.

The only path capable of healing the nation’s wounds is reconciliation. However, statements by some political leaders, including those from the ruling CCM government, reveal a worrying lack of political will to pursue genuine reconciliation, and that is extremely dangerous.

According to the Commission of Inquiry into the October 29 violence, chaired by former Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, at least 518 Tanzanians lost their lives. That figure is neither final nor “inconclusive data”.

Among those killed, 373 people were brought to the hospital already dead, while 121 others succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment. Yet even today, some families are still searching for the bodies of their loved ones, unsure whether to mourn or continue hoping.

Others were forced to bury the clothes of missing relatives instead. That pain runs deep, particularly in African customs and traditions, where mourning only begins to ease after burial, allowing families to gradually resume normal life.

But where families are denied the chance to bury their loved ones, the pain never truly fades. It remains permanently etched in their hearts and memories.

Whether we accept it or not, only the truth can set us free. The Commission’s findings further show that by March 31, 2026, the number of injured people treated in public and private health facilities following election-related violence had reached 2,390. I cite these figures, despite earlier acknowledging they are not conclusive because some victims declined to cooperate with the Commission over concerns about its independence, to demonstrate the scale of the tragedy Tanzania has endured.

But how did we get here? The Justice Chande Commission, established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, identified the root causes of the crisis that plunged the country into the October 29 violence and unrest that claimed the lives of so many Tanzanians. According to the Commission’s report, submitted to the President on April 23, 2026, the violence during and after the election stemmed from numerous longstanding grievances that had remained unresolved for years.

Among them were demands for a new Constitution, calls for broader democratic reforms under the multiparty system, disputes within political parties, and demands for reforms to the Independent National Electoral Commission and the wider electoral system. The Commission also highlighted economic grievances, including the high cost of living, unequal access to jobs and economic opportunities, a hostile business and investment environment, excessive taxes and levies, and an unfair tax regime.

It further identified social challenges such as moral decay, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and allegations of abductions, killings, disappearances, and enforced disappearances in Tanzania. Yet instead of addressing these root causes, some political leaders continue issuing statements that appear to trivialise the crisis, especially the growing wave of abductions, dismissing them as mere “games” intended to tarnish the government’s image.

Our leaders must weigh their words carefully and avoid turning serious national issues such as abductions, human rights violations, and the October 29 violence into propaganda battles. At this moment, the nation needs words that comfort and heal, not rhetoric that reopens wounds while the country is still in the fragile early stages of reconciliation.

This country belongs to all of us; if it falls apart, some of us will have nowhere else to go. Leaders should also stop addressing Tanzanians as though they are children incapable of understanding events unfolding around them.

Tanzanians today are informed and educated. They can distinguish truth from falsehood and recognise political propaganda when they hear it.

So when a leader claims that the shooting of Singida East MP, now Chadema national chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu, on September 7, 2017, was merely a “game” intended to tarnish the government, it becomes deeply disturbing. And when the same leader suggests that Mr Lissu’s assistant, who was abducted by armed men and found the following day injured and handcuffed, had in fact been abducted by political allies, one struggles to understand the motive behind such claims.

Even more troubling is when institutions explain abductions as matters linked to romance, revenge, or debts. One wonders why authorities continue pouring petrol onto an already raging fire, rather than attempting to extinguish it with water.

Justice Chande clearly identified public frustration over the increasing wave of abductions as one of the drivers of the October 29 violence. Yet people are once again being told that victims are staging their own abductions, usually from one political camp.

That is deeply shameful. That is why I insist that although we publicly preach reconciliation, the words and actions of some leaders betray that commitment.

This is a period when Tanzanians long to hear messages that heal rather than inflame wounds. Defiant rhetoric and political propaganda will not guarantee our safety.

We are continuing to add firewood to an already burning inferno, and the consequences will become evident sooner rather than later if we remain on this path. I urge fellow Tanzanians to ignore statements aimed at undermining President Hassan’s sincere efforts to pursue reconciliation, because people know what happened on October 29 and in the days that followed.

Mocking abduction cases while preaching reconciliation is like hiding machetes behind our backs. We cannot succeed that way.

The country must demonstrate genuine commitment to reconciliation by allowing the truth to emerge so the nation can heal, move beyond the past, and prepare for the future. As the Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, once warned, societies cannot solve problems by pretending they do not exist.

We must therefore stop joking about abductions or using them as tools of political propaganda. Otherwise, the country risks sliding into even darker times.

Daniel Mjema is a journalist and PhD student in Public Communication at the Open University of Tanzania. He can be reached at 0656600900. .

Dar es Salaam. Dar City may have seen their Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign end in the quarterfinals, but the Tanzanian side has left Kigali, Rwanda with pride, experience and belief that they can compete with Africa’s best basketball clubs.

Dar City narrowly missed out on a place in the BAL semifinals after suffering an 83-69 defeat to Angolan giants Petro de Luanda in the decisive second leg of their playoff series. The result allowed Petro de Luanda to overturn an eight-point deficit from the first game and qualify for the semifinals for the sixth consecutive season.

The Angolan champions, who won the BAL title in 2024, entered the game determined to avoid another upset. They established control early, taking a 26-16 lead at the end of the opening quarter before stretching the gap to as many as 20 points during the contest.

Despite Dar City’s efforts to reduce the damage late in the game, Petro de Luanda relied on their experience, squad depth and rebounding strength to secure the victory and keep alive their hopes of another BAL title. Speaking to The Citizen after the match, Dar City head coach Mohammed Mbwana praised his players for their fighting spirit and commitment throughout the competition.

“Even though we did not reach the semifinals, the players fought tirelessly and deserve a lot of credit,” said Mbwana. “They gave everything for the team and for the country.

Tanzania is now being recognised as one of Africa’s rising basketball nations.” Mbwana noted that his squad showed remarkable growth by competing strongly against one of the continent’s most successful basketball clubs.

Petro de Luanda have become a dominant force in African basketball in recent years. The Angolan side finished runners-up in the 2022 BAL season after losing to Tunisia’s US Monastir before lifting their first title in 2024 by defeating Libya’s Al Ahly Ly.

In 2025, they again reached the final but lost to Al Ahli Tripoli. “You can see how we played against tough and experienced teams,” Mbwana added.

“Our players have learnt a lot from this competition and we promise to come back stronger next season starting from the Elite 16 in October.” Petro de Luanda’s victory was inspired by Chasson Randle, who scored 20 points, including nine from three-point range.

Yanick Moreira added 16 points from the bench while Pete Jok contributed 15 points, all from beyond the arc. For Dar City, Daniel Utomi, Nisre Zouzoua and Michael Foster carried the scoring burden, combining for 52 of the team’s 69 points after spending more than 39 minutes each on the court.

The Tanzanian side also suffered a major setback when David Michineau, who had impressed in the first leg with 12 points and eight assists, limped off the court in the second quarter with a reported hamstring injury and did not return. Dar City struggled to match Petro’s bench strength, with the Angolan side outscoring the Tanzanian club’s bench 51-16. While Petro rotated players effectively throughout the game, Dar City relied heavily on a small core of players.

Despite the defeat, Dar City players remained optimistic about the future. “We are proud to represent Tanzania,” said player Sisko Ngaiza.

“Reaching the quarterfinals and competing the way we did shows that we have potential. We came here aiming to reach the final and win the BAL, but lack of experience at this level affected us.

” Ngaiza believes the experience gained in Kigali will help the team improve in future competitions. “The next time we return to the BAL, we will be much stronger,” he said.

Although their journey ended before the semifinals, Dar City’s performance has strengthened Tanzania’s growing reputation in African basketball and provided hope that the country can continue producing teams capable of competing on the continental stage. .

Dar es Salaam. Members of Parliament on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, engaged in a heated debate over a proposed United States Senate bill seeking sanctions against Tanzania, as the government said it would respond through diplomatic channels and had invited the bill’s sponsors to visit the country and assess the situation firsthand Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, told MPs that Tanzania’s Embassy in Washington, led by Ambassador Dr Elsie Sia Kanza, had been instructed to engage with the concerns raised by US Senators.

He said the matter would be handled through formal diplomatic procedures, stressing that Tanzania remained committed to preserving its long-standing relationship with the United States while defending its sovereignty. The debate took place during discussion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation’s Sh359.3 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

The bill in question was introduced on May 20 by US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Ted Cruz. Titled the Reassessing the United StatesTanzania Bilateral Relationship Act, it calls for a review of bilateral relations between Washington and Dar es Salaam and proposes possible sanctions in response to alleged human rights violations and political repression following Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 General Election.

The proposed legislation reportedly includes visa restrictions on certain individuals, a reassessment of security cooperation and a review of economic and diplomatic engagement between the two countries. It also cites alleged excessive use of force during election-related unrest, disruptions to internet services, denial of medical services to injured persons and arrests linked to demonstrations.

During the parliamentary debate, MPs called for calm but firm diplomatic engagement to protect Tanzania’s international relations. Specials Seats MP (Workers), Mariam Mungula, informed the House about the proposed legislation, warning that it could affect bilateral relations if not handled carefully.

She urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomats and technical experts to intensify engagement with their US counterparts. “If possible, even the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs should travel to the United States so that we use diplomacy to resolve this matter,” she said.

Mungula further cautioned that the proposed sanctions, if adopted, could affect individuals including government officials and security personnel. Mtama MP Nape Nnauye (CCM) said Tanzania had demonstrated resilience in handling internal challenges and should not be undermined by external pressure.

“President Samia [Samia Suluhu Hassan] has stood firm and shown leadership in difficult times. This has sent a message globally that even when we face challenges, we are capable of resolving them ourselves,” he said.

He said that Tanzania should continue to remind its international partners that it is a sovereign state that values cooperation but will not accept attempts to undermine its independence. “We are ready to work with them as friends, but this country is free.

We did not receive our independence as a gift; we fought for it,” he said. Bunda MP Esther Bulaya (CCM) said Tanzania’s long-standing relationship with the United States should be preserved through constructive dialogue, warning that misunderstanding could harm cooperation in key sectors.

She said it was important for international partners to engage relevant parliamentary committees before advancing such legislative proposals, adding that some of the allegations contained in the bill were not consistent with the situation on the ground. Singida West MP Elibariki Kingu (CCM) said Tanzania’s non-aligned foreign policy should not be misinterpreted as weakness.

He said the country had taken deliberate steps to strengthen political openness, including supporting reconciliation and expanding democratic space. “Our foreign policy is based on independence and balance.

We must not allow our dignity as a nation to be compromised,” he said. ACT-Wazalendo MP Addo Shaibu took a different view, arguing that the principle of non-alignment should not prevent Tanzania from speaking out against injustice globally.

He said the country should remain consistent in defending human rights and accountability, whether domestically or internationally, and warned against silence in the face of alleged abuses anywhere in the world. Responding to MPs’ concerns, Minister Kombo said the Government would handle the matter through diplomatic engagement, adding that Tanzania would continue to protect its national interests while maintaining constructive relations with international partners.

“After the elections, the President gave me a very important responsibility, which I cannot detail here,” he said. He added that the Government had already taken steps to address the concerns raised and would continue engaging diplomatically.

“We will respond through diplomatic channels. We have already written and invited them to come and see for themselves what they are claiming.

They say there is violence, but they have never been here. We want them to come and see how Tanzanians live and resolve their challenges,” he said.

He emphasised that Tanzania would continue to respond to international concerns through dialogue and engagement rather than confrontation, stressing the importance of maintaining stable relations with global partners. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, swore in nine newly appointed judges of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania, urging them to uphold justice, professionalism and the independence of the Judiciary.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House in Dar es Salaam, marked the completion of the recent appointments to the country’s highest court. Speaking shortly after administering the oath of office, President Hassan said the judges had earned the appointments through distinguished service within the Judiciary and called on them to serve the country with integrity and patriotism.

“Go and serve the country with patriotism, wisdom and without bias, affection or hatred in delivering your judgments,” she said. “You carry a great responsibility in ensuring justice is served and that the rights of citizens are protected.

” President Hassan said the delivery of justice was a divine responsibility and stressed that strengthening the Judiciary would improve public confidence and efficiency in the justice system. “Your appointment is aimed at increasing the capacity of those entrusted with administering justice,” she said.

She further urged the judges to safeguard the dignity and independence of the courts while maintaining professionalism and efficiency in their duties. “Your decisions must put humanity first, the nation first and the country first,” she emphasised.

The judges sworn in were Justice Imani Aboud, Justice Rabia Mohamed, Justice Dr Yose Mlyambina, Justice Immaculata Banzi, Justice Cyprian Mkeha, Justice Yohane Masara, Justice Dr Juliana Masabo, Justice Abdi Kagomba and Justice Mzee Ibrahim. The ceremony was attended by senior government leaders, including Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, as well as officials from the Judiciary.

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