Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The government has unveiled plans to invest in modern buses, digital ticketing systems and clean energy infrastructure as part of efforts to transform mobility in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

The city is characterised by transport challenges such as traffic jams and crowding of passengers in public transport. Speaking after an inspection tour of transport infrastructure in the city, the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Dr Jim Yonazi, affirmed that the government is fully committed to delivering fast, reliable and efficient public transport services to residents.

Dr Yonazi who also chairs the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) Project Steering Committee visited the infrastructure where commitee members assessed progress made in strengthening operations and expanding infrastructure. “It is the government’s determination to ensure that Dar es Salaam’s transport system becomes modern, efficient and capable of meeting the needs of its people.

We have witnessed significant infrastructure development and ongoing improvements aimed at enhancing service delivery,” Dr Yonazi said. Dr Yonazi revealed that new buses have already started arriving, positioning Dar es Salaam among Africa’s emerging cities with modern rapid transit systems.

In a shift toward sustainability, many of the incoming buses will run on natural gas. To support this transition, the government has constructed dedicated gas-filling infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations while reducing environmental impact and fuel costs.

Beyond physical infrastructure, authorities have invested in ICT systems that will allow commuters to pay fares using special electronic cards, eliminating long queues and streamlining boarding processes. The move is expected to significantly boost operational efficiency, minimise delays, and enhance commuter convenience.

In a further commitment to service reliability, the committee chairperson assured residents that all grounded buses will be repaired and returned to the roads to strengthen fleet capacity and improve service frequency. Meanwhile, Dart Chief Executive Officer, Mr Said Tunda said the agency’s primary goal is to restore confidence and convenience to Dar es Salaam commuters.

He also encouraged commuter bus operators to continue providing services as the government engages them in structured dialogue to establish effective collaboration frameworks, particularly for those authorized to operate along the bus rapid transit corridors. On Friday, the government said it had barred the renewal of licences for commuter buses operating along the Mbagala Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, clearing the way for the rapid transit system to assume full control of the route.

The new move, announced by the Dart, means daladala currently plying the corridor will continue operating only until their existing licences expire. Thereafter, they will not be eligible for renewal on the same route.

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Kwimba. Health department staff in Kwimba District Council, Mwanza Region, have undergone training on the safe and proper use of cooking gas, alongside education on the health risks associated with firewood and charcoal.

The training, organised by Oryx Gas Tanzania Company, forms part of broader efforts to promote clean cooking energy. It sought to equip health workers with knowledge of the environmental and medical effects of traditional fuels so they can educate patients and the wider community.

Speaking on Friday, February 27, 2026, during a two-day session Oryx Tanzania training manager, Mr Peter Ndomba, said health workers were strategically selected because they interact directly with residents seeking treatment. “When citizens experience health problems, they come to the hospital.

Health workers are the first point of contact, so it is important they understand clean cooking energy and its benefits,” he said. Mr Ndomba said more than 267 staff members, including personnel from Kwimba District Hospital, attended the training.

Participants received practical guidance on gas safety, storage, routine inspection and environmental considerations, as well as information on illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to smoke from firewood and charcoal. He described the initiative as the start of a wider campaign targeting institutions and schools to broaden awareness of clean energy use.

“We are encouraged by the strong response from participants. This is only the beginning.

We intend to reach other institutions and platforms to ensure clean cooking energy education spreads across the district,” he said. Mr Ndomba thanked the leadership of Kwimba District Hospital, including the District Medical Officer and the Medical Officer in Charge, for facilitating access to doctors and nurses.

He noted that many people still lack adequate understanding of cooking gas, particularly regarding safety and cost. By training health workers, he said, the company aims to dispel misconceptions and empower professionals to educate mothers and other patients on the dangers of indoor smoke exposure.

Health workers who attended the training welcomed the initiative, saying it addressed long-standing concerns about gas use. Nursing Officer in Charge at Kwimba District Hospital, Mr Christian Mvula, said the session had deepened their understanding of gas as a domestic energy source.

“We have received accurate information on safe gas use. Previously, many of us relied on firewood and charcoal, which are sometimes difficult to obtain, especially during the rainy season,” he said.

He added that misconceptions about affordability and safety had discouraged some households from adopting gas. The training, he said, clarified issues related to storage, routine inspection and accident prevention.

Nursing Officer, Ms Salome Malale, said she had used gas for 15 years but had not fully understood its advantages and limitations. “In our work, we treat patients with respiratory and eye problems linked to smoke exposure.

With this knowledge, I can now educate communities to shift to cleaner energy,” she said. Another hospital employee, Mr Robert Mayombya, said he would share the information with his family and neighbours to encourage wider adoption of gas and reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.

He urged fellow residents to prioritise safer cooking methods for better health and environmental protection. .

Kwimba. Tanzania’s largest neonatal care facility has opened in Kwimba District of Mwanza region, with capacity to save an estimated 1,300 prematurely born babies each year.

The modern facility, expands access to specialised newborn services in rural areas. The Kwimba Neonatal Care Unit (NCU), constructed by the Doris Mollel Foundation, is the biggest of its kind in the country and the first purpose-built, patient-centred neonatal facility in rural Tanzania, according to the foundation.

Launching the unit, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Janabi, said the project demonstrates how decentralised infrastructure can extend life-saving care beyond major urban centres. “Kwimba is the answer to a question we have asked for too long: how do we reach the unreachable? Not with grand policy alone, but with district-level infrastructure that puts care where the mothers are,” he said.

“This facility is a blueprint for every rural community across Africa still waiting for its first neonatal intensive care unit,” he said. Bridging a critical gap Kwimba District records 18,073 births annually, according to district officials, with approximately seven percent of babies born with low birth weight.

Until now, the district had no neonatal intensive care beds, forcing families to travel nearly 100 kilometres along unpaved roads to Mwanza City for treatment. Health officials say many critically ill newborns did not survive the journey.

Mwanza Region serves more than 3.5 million people across eight districts.

Specialised neonatal services have largely been concentrated in the regional capital, leaving rural communities underserved despite high fertility rates and pregnancy-related complications requiring urgent intervention. Founder of the Doris Mollel Foundation, Ms Doris Mollel, said the opening marks a shift from advocacy to direct investment in health infrastructure.

“I am proud of the collaborative work the foundation carried out hand in hand with the government in pushing for recognition of World Prematurity Day as a WHO calendar day. Today is proof that this is just the beginning, and there is more we can achieve together,” she said.

The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Keep a Child Alive, Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez Jr., whose organisation funded the project, described the initiative as a matter of equity rather than charity.

“This is not charity; this is justice. No child should be left behind in accessing equal opportunity,” he said.

Mothers already benefiting Jenny Petro, 26, a resident of Irumba, delivered her second child at 35 weeks last week. She was admitted to the facility after being diagnosed with high blood pressure and later gave birth safely.

“I have been taught how to care for my baby and how to provide skin-to-skin care. This place is very clean and the services are good.

Even though I do not yet know when I will be discharged, I have peace knowing that my baby is doing well. Many thanks to the donors who collaborated with the Doris Mollel Foundation,” she said.

Dr Milka Emmanuel said the modern facility, equipped with advanced medical equipment, eliminates separation between mother and child — a critical factor for preterm babies who require skin-to-skin, or Kangaroo Mother Care, to regulate body temperature and strengthen bonding. “Before this unit, we only had one room where we cared for a few premature babies, and they did not stay with their mothers.

Now we can care for more than 1,000 premature babies each year. This is good news for us and for residents of Mwanza Region,” she said.

Esther Mathias, 21, who gave birth three weeks ago at eight months’ gestation, said she had feared losing her child. “This is my second child, and I was very worried.

But the services here are very good, and we are very grateful for saving our children’s lives,” she said. Designed as a national model Tanzania reduced under-five mortality from 81 to 67 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2015 and 2022, according to official statistics.

However, deaths within the first 28 days of life now account for nearly 40 percent of all under-five deaths, underscoring the need for strengthened neonatal care at district level. The Kwimba NCU features 15 specialised neonatal beds fitted with incubators and warming equipment, Kangaroo Mother Care suites allowing mothers to remain with their babies, a dedicated breastfeeding and nutrition support centre, and on-site training facilities for community health workers.

To ensure uninterrupted service, the unit is powered by a solar-backed electricity system to cushion against grid outages. The project was delivered through cooperation between the government of Tanzania and the Doris Mollel Foundation.

The Ministry of Health provided regulatory support, land and committed to staffing the unit with government-employed nurses and clinical officers. Project leaders say the Kwimba Neonatal Care Unit has been designed as a replicable model for district-level neonatal services that can be adapted across Tanzania and other African countries.

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Former US president Bill Clinton told American lawmakers on Friday that he saw nothing suspicious during the time he associated with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, as he gave closed-door testimony about their past relationship. Mr Clinton appeared before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, marking the first time a current or former US president has been compelled to testify before Congress.

He said he would never have flown on Epstein’s private jet had he known about allegations of sex trafficking involving underage girls and would have reported him to authorities. “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Mr Clinton told the committee.

He added that Epstein had concealed his actions for years, saying that was the only reason many people, including himself, continued associating with him. Millions of files released by the United States Department of Justice include photographs showing Mr Clinton with women whose identities were redacted.

Lawmakers stressed that appearing in the documents does not in itself indicate wrongdoing, and neither Mr Clinton nor his wife has been accused of any crime linked to Epstein. His wife, Hillary Clinton, testified a day earlier and said she did not recall ever meeting Epstein or having any knowledge of his offences.

The committee’s Republican chairman, James Comer, described Mr Clinton as cooperative during what he termed a cordial session. However, some of Mrs Clinton’s responses would be reviewed for possible inconsistencies.

Democrats on the panel argued that current US President Donald Trump should also be subpoenaed, citing his past social ties with Epstein, though Mr Comer said that would not happen. Mr Trump later told reporters he felt sympathy for Mr Clinton but maintained that investigators had treated him more harshly.

Both Clintons had initially resisted subpoenas but agreed to testify to avoid possible contempt of Congress proceedings. They have accused Republicans of using the inquiry for political purposes.

Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

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Netflix has officially withdrawn from the race to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, stating the deal is no longer financially attractive and was never considered essential to the company’s strategy.

The decision comes after Paramount Skydance submitted an improved offer worth about $111 billion in cash, equivalent to roughly $31 per share, which Warner Bros. Discovery’s board described as a superior proposal.

“We want to thank David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer and the WBD Board for running a fair and rigorous process. While this deal was appealing, it was always a nice to have at the right price, not a must-have,” reads the statement.

Netflix executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the potential acquisition was only a nice-to-have opportunity at the right price rather than a necessity. Paramount Skydance is now the leading candidate to acquire Warner Bros.

Discovery, although the deal will still need approval from U.S.

regulators. The company has even pledged a multi-billion-dollar break-up fee if the transaction fails to gain approval.

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Dar es Salaam. Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with Tanzania, including military training, technology transfer and support for the modernisation of the national army.

Speaking at a reception to mark Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, the Russian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Andrey Avetisyan, said the long-standing national holiday symbolises pride in the country’s armed forces and honours generations who have defended national sovereignty and security. He said 2026 has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, reflecting what he described as the country’s historic cohesion across ethnic and religious lines, particularly during times of conflict.

According to the ambassador, Russia’s armed forces continue to uphold traditions of service and sacrifice, drawing strength from unity and a shared sense of responsibility for safeguarding national interests. Quoting President Vladimir Putin, he said Russia pays its “deepest respect” to those who serve the Fatherland and honours those who have fallen in defence of the nation.

Expanding defence ties Mr Avetisyan emphasised the decades-long relationship between Russia and Tanzania, recalling Moscow’s historical support during Tanzania’s struggle against colonial rule. He said Russia stands ready to provide modern weapons systems, military technologies and specialised training to support the strengthening and modernisation of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).

He said that about 300 Tanzanian students are currently enrolled in Russian military academies and are expected to return home as highly trained specialists to enhance the country’s defence capabilities. Military and technical cooperation, he noted, complements broader collaboration between the two countries in political, trade and economic spheres.

He also welcomed Tanzania’s open economic diplomacy under its national leadership and expressed optimism about further deepening bilateral relations. New defence attache introduced During the event, the ambassador introduced the newly appointed defence attache, Col Sekirko, who will support the implementation of military cooperation initiatives between the two nations.

The envoy expressed confidence in the continued partnership between what he described as “brotherly nations”, underscoring shared interests in security cooperation and strategic collaboration. .

By Katare Mbashiru Dodoma. The government has, for the first time, opened the door for the private sector to provide water services, directly competing with regional water authorities in a bold push to improve efficiency, expand access and raise service standards nationwide.

The landmark policy shift marks a significant reform in Tanzania’s water sector, traditionally dominated by public institutions. The long-awaited move comes amid persistent complaints of water scarcity across the country, with private investors repeatedly urging the government to allow them to offer services to citizens.

The announcement was made on Friday, February 27, 2026, by the Minister for Water, Mr Jumaa Aweso, while officiating at the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Ruwasa) and Community-Based WaterSupply Organisations (CBWSOs) in Dodoma. The high-level meeting drew more than 900 delegates from across the country.

Mr Aweso made the government’s position clear, declaring that it would not shy away from competition. “We must serve Tanzanians.

Let us not fear competition,” he said, adding: “The education sector has allowed competition. The health sector has done the same while continuing to build public hospitals.

Our role as a ministry is to ensure quality — the rest can move forward.” If effectively implemented, the reform could usher in a new era in which efficiency, accountability and innovation define the management of the country’s most precious resource.

Mr Aweso emphasised that the Ministry of Water will maintain strict oversight to ensure quality standards are upheld, even as new players enter the market. He also challenged water officials to focus on results-driven performance, warning against complacency.

The minister took a firm stance against operational failures, describing it as unacceptable for citizens to go without water simply because electricity prepaid tokens (Luku) had run out — especially when officials were aware in advance. “It is embarrassing for citizens to lack water due to preventable reasons,” he said.

Mr Aweso revealed that rural water access had reached an average of 85.2 per cent by December 2025, up from 79.9 per cent in 2024, thereby surpassing national targets. At the occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Ms Mwajuma Waziri, issued a stern warning to water service staff over the mistreatment of customers and fraudulent billing practices.

“Stop bullying customers and stop inflating water bills. Citizens have a right to quality service,” she said.

She noted that complaints about arbitrary billing practices continue to surface in Parliament despite repeated warnings, and urged professionals to fully embrace digital systems to eliminate malpractice. Ms Waziri also directed technical teams to urgently address water leakages, observing that in some areas leaks remain unrepaired for up to two months, leading to massive losses of water.

The Chairperson of the Ruwasa Board, Ms Ruth Koya, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring reliable water access across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas. She said strong community relations and improved service quality remain central to achieving universal access goals.

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Iringa. Police in Iringa Region have dismissed claims circulating on social media that four suspects previously held by law enforcement have disappeared while in custody, stating that none went missing under police watch but are instead being sought for breaching bail conditions and, in some cases, facing murder allegations.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, February 26, 2026, at his office, Iringa Regional Police Commander, Mr Allan Bukumbi identified the suspects as Ibrahim Myovella (33), Asajile Anthony (33), Anthony Mwasika (29) and Ally Kalolo (26). Incitement allegations before 2025 polls Mr Bukumbi said the four were initially linked to allegations of incitement ahead of the October 29, 2025 General Election.

According to police, they were accused of mobilising protests and publishing inflammatory content against the Government through social media platforms, allegedly with the intention of disrupting the election. They were also said to be associated with a youth group known as “Watoto wa Mbwa”, which police claim had plans to vandalise public infrastructure, including shared government facilities and to threaten the safety of water sources in the region.

Police said that in the early stages of the investigation, Asajile Anthony, a farmer and resident of Ihemi, was arrested on October 24, 2025, for allegedly publishing inciting content through a Facebook account under the name “Mnyakyusa Mpinga Utekaji”. He was detained at Iringa Central Police Station and later granted bail on December 30, 2025, on condition that he report to police every five days.

However, police said he complied with the reporting requirement only until January 15, 2026, after which he stopped reporting, allegedly breaching his bail conditions. Assault and death allegations Regarding Ibrahim Myovella, police said he had been under investigation for alleged incitement through WhatsApp groups, including one identified as “M4C Ruaha”, which he was allegedly leading.

According to the statement, on February 10, 2026, Myovella was arrested together with Anthony Mwasika and Ally Kalolo on allegations of assaulting an Ipogoro resident, Benito Avinash. The three suspects were reportedly granted police bail on February 17, 2026, and were required to report back on February 18, 2026. Police said the suspects failed to report after learning that the alleged victim had died.

They are now being sought on murder charges, and legal action is under way against their sureties. Public urged to cooperate Mr Bukumbi said investigations into the matter are ongoing and urged members of the public to cooperate by providing information that could assist in locating the suspects.

“We call upon anyone with information that may help in arresting these suspects to report to the nearest police station,” said Mr Bukumbi. .

Arusha. The Court of Appeal has upheld the death sentence imposed on Sami Kisenga after he was convicted of murdering his aunt, Holo Kisenga (50), in Shinyanga Region.

The appellant had been sentenced to death by hanging by the High Court, Shinyanga Zone, on December 23, 2023, after being found guilty of murder contrary to Section 197 of the Penal Code. According to court records, the incident occurred on May 19, 2019, at Nyaligongo Village in Shinyanga Region.

The deceased sustained fatal cuts to the head and neck inflicted with a machete. A panel of three justices–Shaban Lila, Issa Maige and Latifa Mansoor–delivered the appellate judgment on February 25, 2026, dismissing the appeal in its entirety.

A copy of the ruling has since been made available on the Judiciary’s website. Evidence before the court During the trial, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered five exhibits to support its case.

Dr Richard Okwachi, who conducted the post-mortem examination, testified that the cause of death was excessive loss of blood resulting from severe injuries. Selemani Luchanganya, the deceased’s son, told the court that he witnessed the attack and identified the appellant as the assailant.

He said he was using a torch at the time and saw the appellant strike his mother on the head and neck with a machete. Another witness, Nhale Masumbuko, testified that he responded to screams at the scene but found the deceased already dead with a deep wound on her neck.

Samson Mtonja, Ward Executive Officer for Mwakitolylo, told the court that the appellant admitted to killing the deceased, alleging that she had bewitched and caused the death of his father. Defence and appeal In his defence, the appellant denied committing the offence and claimed he was at his rice farm in Masumbwe Village on the day of the incident.

He further alleged that police tortured him and forced him to sign a caution statement. The High Court, however, found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on eyewitness testimony, medical evidence and the appellant’s admissions.

In his appeal, the appellant challenged the admissibility of the medical report and his extra-judicial confession, arguing that the caution statement had been recorded outside the legally prescribed time and in violation of the Chief Justice’s Guidelines. Court’s ruling In its determination, the Court of Appeal held that the extra-judicial confession had been properly admitted.

The judges noted that the relevant provisions of the Chief Justice’s Guidelines were administrative innature and did not invalidate the confession. The court further found that the caution statement was corroborated by eyewitness testimony and other evidence on record.

“The appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the High Court is upheld together with the sentence imposed,” the court ruled.

With the dismissal of the appeal, the death sentence by hanging remains in force. .

Dar es Salaam. Young people in several African countries have ranked highest globally in mental health outcomes, even as a new international report warns that 41 percent of internet-enabled young adults worldwide face a growing “mind health crisis”.

The findings are contained in the Global Mind Health in 2025 report released by Sapien Labs, a Washington, DC-area nonprofit led by experts in neuroscience, psychology and computational science. The study draws on survey data from nearly one million people across 84 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

It assesses what researchers call the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), a composite measure of emotional, cognitive, social and physical capacities required to navigate life, work and relationships effectively. While the global picture points to a troubling decline in youth mental health, sub-Saharan Africa stands out as a bright spot.

Ghana ranks first worldwide, followed by Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, making the top five countries entirely African. By contrast, young adults in higher-income regions — including the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia, ranked near the bottom.

The report notes a stark generational reversal. In the early 2000s, young adults aged 18 to 34 had the highest levels of well-being of any age group.

Today, they are four times more likely than those over 55 to experience clinically significant mental health challenges that impair daily functioning. Researchers attribute the decline to four key factors: early smartphone adoption during childhood, rising consumption of ultra-processed foods, weakening family bonds and diminished spirituality.

Tanzania has performed strongly across several of these indicators. The country ranks highest globally in spirituality among 1834-year-olds and records one of the oldest average ages for first smartphone ownership.

It also reports relatively low levels of ultra-processed food consumption compared to many wealthier nations. Although Tanzania slipped from first place last year to fifth in the latest ranking, largely due to a decline in “Drive and Motivation” among those aged 1824, older Tanzanians continue to score significantly above global averages.

Across all regions, however, older adults maintain stronger mind health outcomes than younger generations. Previous research by Sapien Labs indicates that the generational gap began widening before 2020 and expanded sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The founder and chief scientist at Sapien Labs and lead author of the report, Dr Tara Thiagarajan (pictured), said the crisis extends beyond rising rates of depression and anxiety. “The mind health crisis appears to be a progressive slide from generation to generation and goes far beyond depression and anxiety,” she said.

“Many young adults are struggling with emotional control, focus and relationship management — capacities essential for navigating life’s challenges.” The report warns that the economic implications could be profound if large numbers of young people enter the workforce with compromised mind health.

It calls for targeted policy interventions, including restricting smartphone use during school hours, setting minimum age requirements for social media access and investing in research into the health impacts of additives commonly found in ultra-processed foods. Despite the concerning global trends, the strong showing by African countries suggests that protective social and cultural factors — including stronger spirituality and closer family ties — may be helping to buffer young people against some of the pressures facing their peers elsewhere.

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