Category: The Citizen

By Katare Mbashiru Dodoma. The Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA) has blocked 43 tenders worth Sh586.5 billion that were set to be awarded to companies lacking the financial and technical capacity to execute them.

PPAA Executive Secretary Mr James Sando disclosed this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, while addressing journalists in Dodoma. He said the authority’s intervention prevented the release of public funds to unqualified bidders, averting stalled or substandard projects and significant losses to taxpayers.

By stopping ineligible firms from securing lucrative public contracts and digitising the entire complaints process, he said, the PPAA has reinforced its role as a key pillar in safeguarding public resources. “The achievement stands out as one of the most tangible governance milestones under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose administration has placed strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public financial management,” he said.

Mr Sando noted that during President Hassan’s tenure, the PPAA has registered 196 appeals arising from various procurement processes through its Appeal Schedule, reflecting heightened vigilance and growing confidence in institutional dispute resolution mechanisms. He explained that halting the 43 tenders was not merely an administrative action but a strategic move to reinforce fairness and safeguard value for money in public spending.

“By ensuring that only competent and financially sound firms are awarded contracts, the authority has strengthened the integrity of the procurement system while shielding development projects from costly setbacks,” he added. Beyond the financial intervention, Mr Sando said the PPAA has spearheaded digital reforms in handling procurement disputes.

In collaboration with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the authority completed and operationalised the Complaints and Appeals Management Module embedded in the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST). The module, officially launched by the Ministry of Finance in February 2025, has transformed how complaints and appeals are lodged, processed, and determined.

Since its launch, all procurement-related complaints have been submitted electronically through the system. According to Mr Sando, 549 administrative review complaints have been filed and handled by procuring entities through the module, while 26 appeals have been submitted to and determined by the PPAA using the same digital platform.

He said the system has significantly reduced processing times, enhanced transparency and improved coordination between procuring entities and the appeals authority, marking a new era of ICT-driven justice in public procurement. “The reforms are reinforced by sweeping legislative changes introduced by the Sixth Phase Government.

The enactment of the Public Procurement Act of 2023, followed by the 2024 Regulations and the 2025 Public Procurement Appeals Regulations, has streamlined supply chain management and tightened procedural timelines,” he said. Furthermore, he said the period for submitting complaints to procuring entities has been reduced from seven to five working days, while accounting officers are now required to resolve complaints within five working days instead of seven.

The timeframe for lodging appeals with the PPAA has also been shortened from seven to five working days, and the authority’s determination period has been reduced from 45 to 40 days. Mr Sando said the reforms demonstrate the government’s conviction that effective dispute resolution cannot thrive where economic opportunities and justice are unevenly applied.

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Mwanza. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has accepted a plea-bargaining talks request from two senior officials of Salaaman Health Services Ltd, facing 841 counts of economic sabotage.

The defendants, Executive Director Abdi Warsame and Human Resources Officer Elia Makongwa, are accused of leading a criminal network across Mwanza and Dar es Salaam. They allegedly used forged documents to cause losses exceeding Sh1 billion to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) between 2021 and 2023. Mwanza Resident Magistrate Court in-charge, Mr Erick Maley, told the court on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, that a meeting between prosecution and defence has been scheduled for March 4, 2026, to conduct settlement discussions.

The case, numbered 2330 of 2026, was first mentioned on February 4 and again on February 10 before Magistrate Maley. Earlier, State Attorney Fadhili Mwandoloma informed the court that the prosecution had received formal instructions from the DPP’s office to proceed with the negotiations as requested by the defence.

Magistrate Maley noted that the matter would return to court on March 4 for a mention and to receive a progress report on the plea talks. Speaking after the adjournment, defence counsel Allan Robi welcomed the decision, describing it as mutually beneficial.

He added that plea bargaining would significantly reduce the court’s workload and save the government substantial trial costs. The suspects remain in custody pending the outcome of the negotiations.

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By Baraka Thomas Energy is never just about molecules and megawatts. In Tanzania, gas is the quiet heartbeat of modern life-keeping lights glowing in Dar es Salaam apartments, powering cement kilns, and sustaining the promise of industrial growth.

Yet today, the Songo Songo fields, once a symbol of partnership between sovereign authority and foreign capital-have become the stage for a drama that blends law, commerce, and politics. From partnership to arbitration For over two decades, Orca Energy Group has been a central player in Tanzania’s domestic energy system through its subsidiary Pan African Energy Tanzania Limited (PAET).

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and Gas Agreement (GA), signed in 2001, were hailed as models of cooperation. But contracts, like societies, evolve.

Governments revisit fiscal terms; investors expect stability. When those expectations diverge, friction is inevitable.

By August 2025, that friction had hardened into formal dispute. Orca announced three arbitrations at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): one under the MauritiusTanzania Bilateral Investment Treaty, and two under the PSA and GA.

The claims-valued at roughly US$1.2 billion-allege Tanzania failed to extend the development licence, prolonged the “Protected Gas” regime beyond its contractual term, withheld royalties, and subjected PAET to regulatory harassment. Tanzania, for its part, is likely to argue that these measures fall within its sovereign mandate to protect consumers and manage strategic resources.

The legal doctrines invoked-fair and equitable treatment, legitimate expectations, indirect expropriation-are familiar in international arbitration. Tribunals often scrutinize whether sudden regulatory shifts undermine the “economic equilibrium” of an investment.

The outcome will hinge on whether Tanzania’s actions are seen as legitimate regulation or breaches of contractual stability. The dividend that spoke volumes As the arbitration unfolded, Orca added another twist.

On 9th of February 2026, the company declared a special dividend of C$2.00 per share, signaling a shift from reinvestment to value extraction. Jay Lyons, Orca’s CEO, explained that with no constructive engagement from Tanzania on licence renewal, “there is no compelling business case to reinvest or retain excess cash.

” Instead, Orca would return funds to shareholders while pursuing arbitration. For investors, this reads as disciplined capital management.

For Tanzania, it raises questions about commitment to long-term growth. Dividends distributed abroad rather than reinvested locally alter perceptions of partnership.

Confidence-among banks, insurers, and potential partners-depends not only on gas flows but on trust in the durability of agreements. Sovereignty and stability The tension here is archetypal: sovereignty versus stability.

States must adapt policies to evolving national priorities. Investors commit capital on the assumption that rules will not change midstream.

Arbitration becomes the crucible where these competing imperatives are tested. Yet disputes need not mean rupture.

Around the world, many investorstate cases end in settlements that modernize contracts, refine pricing, or clarify governance. For Tanzania, the lesson is clear: transparent processes, timely decisions, and consistent application of agreements can prevent disputes from escalating.

For companies, reinvestment, technology transfer, and genuine engagement with local development goals can demonstrate that partnership extends beyond balance sheets. A shared future Gas still flows from Songo Songo.

Turbines still spin. Families still depend on the electricity they produce.

Behind the dense legal language-air treatment, legitimate expectations, economic equilibrium-ies a simple truth: both Tanzania and Orca want the project to succeed. The challenge is to rediscover the partnership logic that first brought the project to life.

This moment is not merely about claims or dividends. It is about proving that sovereignty and investment are not opposing forces, but two hands steadying the same wheel-guiding Tanzania’s energy future toward reliability, fairness, and shared prosperity.

Baraka Masubo Thomas is Energy, Mining, Finance and Investment Lawyer you can reach him by an email: “__cf_email__” data-cfemail=”2f4d4e5d4e4c445b4740424e5c1a1f6f48424e4643014c4042[email protected] .

Manyara. The Itracom Fertilizer Limited phosphate mine at Vilima Vitatu in Babati District, Manyara Region, has generated Sh1.29 billion in government revenue since commencing operations in 2023, underscoring the growing contribution of industrial minerals to the national economy.

The figures were disclosed on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by geologist Waziri Mkupe (pictured) on behalf of the Manyara Resident Mines Officer, Mr Godfrey Nyanda. Mr Mkupe said the revenue was collected through royalties and mineral inspection fees from both domestic and export sales.

Since production began, the mine has produced 69,929 tonnes of phosphate minerals valued at Sh36.99 billion. The output has been sold in local and international markets, particularly in the Nala area of Dodoma Region and in Burundi.

He said the mine’s performance has strengthened government revenue collection while also supporting socio-economic development in surrounding communities through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. Among the projects financed by the company are the construction of Vilima Vitatu Primary School, teachers’ houses and initial works for a dormitory at a girls’ secondary school.

Providing a breakdown of domestic sales, Mr Mkupe said that between December 16, 2023 and February 24, 2026, a total of 22,686 tonnes of phosphate minerals valued at Sh9.07 billion were sold to Nala, Dodoma. From these transactions, the government collected Sh90.74 million in royalties and an equal amount in inspection fees.

On exports, he said 13 permits were issued for the shipment of 47,243 tonnes of phosphate minerals to Burundi, valued at Sh27.92 billion. Between September 4, 2024 and February 24, 2026, the government collected Sh837.64 million in royalties and Sh279.21 million in inspection fees.

“Itracom Fertilizer Limited continues to demonstrate that phosphate mining is a strategic contributor to government revenue, employment creation and community development in Manyara Region,” Mr Mkupe said. He encouraged Tanzanians to explore investment opportunities in Manyara, noting that in addition to phosphate, the region is endowed with other mineral resources including gold, moonstone, green tourmaline, amethyst, green aventurine, limestone, azurite, salt, muscovite mica, feldspar and quartz crystal.

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Dar es Salaam. Long before corporate titles and boardrooms, the Managing Director of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), Rosalynn Mndolwa-Mworia, recalls being raised by women who managed households, raised children and ran small enterprises with dignity, but without visibility.

These women, she says, absorbed pressure quietly. They contributed economically, socially and emotionally, yet their labour was rarely framed as leadership or nation-building.

“What really stood out for me,” she reflects, “was how visibility was never part of their equation.” Ms Rosalynn was speaking at a high-level podcast dialogue convened following the partnership between MCL and Absa Bank Tanzania for the sixth edition of The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative (RWI 2026).

The session, moderated by Prudence Zoe Glorious and featuring Absa Tanzania’s Managing Director, Mr Obedi Laiser, was framed as a reflection on the evolution of Rising Woman. Ms Rosalynn noted that platforms like The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative, which began six years ago, remain significant.

For her, the initiative is not a corporate social responsibility exercise. It is an economic intervention.

Beyond the ‘flower’ narrative Women in leadership, she says, still walk into room carrying invisible burdens. They are often perceived first as aesthetic presence rather than intellectual authority.

“I am definitely more than a flower,” she says plainly. “I am a mind.

I am an educated woman with experience.” In many boardrooms, she argues, competence must be proven twice.

Bias becomes part of the job description. But visibility, when structured intentionally, disrupts that bias.

It allows society to peel back the rose petals and engage the core. Growing up, she did not see women widely framed as drivers of GDP, capital allocators or policy shapers.

They existed, but behind curtains. Their economic contributions were real, yet undocumented, unamplified and unarchived.

“That story was not front and centre,” she says. “It existed, but it wasn’t made visible structurally.

” Today, she is deliberate about changing that. When asked what the Rising Woman platform has become, she resists simple labels.

“It is an ecosystem,” she says. “It identifies voices, amplifies them, documents them, and serves as evidence.

” Over six years, more than 300 women have been profiled. More than 55 institutions have been showcased for reforms advancing inclusion.

Hundreds of stories have been told, not just in March but throughout the year. The initiative now tracks what Ms Rosalynn calls a Female Inclusion Index, currently at about 25 percent female readership, with a target of at least 35 percent by next year.

For her, that metric is not cosmetic. It is strategic.

“You cannot speak about inclusion if the segment you are speaking to is not following the narrative,” she says. “Women need to see more of themselves.

” Narratives, in her view, are not soft instruments. They influence capital flows, investor confidence and institutional behaviour.

When women are consistently portrayed as small-scale operators, perception caps their potential. When they are showcased as board chairs, innovators and empire builders, ceilings crack.

“Narratives matter,” she says. “A girl cannot become what she does not see.

” The compounding effect of power In the platform’s first year, Ms Rosalynn made a statement that has since become central to its philosophy: when you give power to women, you do not lose power — you multiply it. She explains it in economic terms.

“Power is not a fixed asset like land,” she says. “When you divide land, it becomes smaller.

Empowerment is the opposite.” When a woman gains access to boardrooms, finance or leadership spaces, the effect compounds.

Household income rises. Educational choices improve.

Investment decisions diversify. Her children inherit a different belief system about gender and possibility.

The multiplier extends into corporate performance. Inclusion expands talent pools.

Diverse leadership improves risk assessment. Institutions scale faster when they absorb all available capability.

“Exclusion gets in the way of accelerated growth,” she says. “It doesn’t make economic sense.

” Her argument is mathematical as much as moral. If 50 percent or more of a population remains structurally sidelined, the economy operates at half capacity.

“One plus one is two,” she says. “One plus one is not zero.

” Empowerment is not domination Ms Rosalynn is careful to clarify what empowerment is not. “Women are not looking for power so that they can dominate,” she says.

“We simply want to contribute.” That distinction matters in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions and institutional power plays.

Some organisations, she notes, still operate from scarcity thinking, assuming that sharing influence reduces authority. Those institutions, she argues, misunderstand growth dynamics.

“If you are not inclusive at an institutional level, you are getting in the way of your own scaling,” she says. Her own household offers proof of the compounding effect she describes.

As a mother of two boys, she sees empowerment shaping generational mindsets. Her sons witness leadership through their mother’s lens, not as anomaly, but as normalcy.

“They carry that truth into the spaces they will occupy,” she says. The Rising Woman Initiative has shifted from celebration to measurable outcomes.

Beyond storytelling, Ms Rosalynn is pushing mentorship from goodwill into structure. “If I did not have mentors, I would not be here,” she says.

This year, the platform plans to formalise mentorship pairings, build partnerships with like-minded institutions and create tangible programmes whose results can be presented in 2027 as evidence of impact. For her mentorship, is not praise.

It is disruption of comfort zones. It is course correction.

It is capacity acceleration. The long-term goal is parity, not symbolic, but functional.

Visibility is responsibility Critics sometimes dismiss visibility as vanity. Ms Rosalynn rejects that outright.

“Visibility is not vanity,” she says. “It is responsibility and accountability.

” When women are profiled, funded or awarded, they become accountable to audiences. Institutions that publicly commit to inclusion become accountable to measurable reforms.

Media, she adds, acts as a mirror, reflecting emerging themes until policy follows. Storytelling alone cannot dismantle systemic barriers.

But it can destabilise complacency. It can humanise risk profiles that financial institutions may otherwise treat abstractly.

It can create competitive pressure among institutions to innovate. “We hold the mirror,” she says.

“Policy follows perception.” An economic imperative Can Tanzania reach its full economic potential without fully empowering women? “Absolutely not,” she says without hesitation.

An empowered female population translates into higher productivity, stronger household economics, broader innovation and more resilient macroeconomic outcomes. It improves microeconomics at the grassroots and macroeconomics at the national level.

“If The Citizen Rising Woman disappeared tomorrow,” she says, “Tanzania would lose an ecosystem that convenes voices on this social and economic agenda.” It would lose documented evidence.

It would lose de-risked profiles of women leaders. It would lose a talent pipeline.

It would lose archived inspiration for the next generation. And evidence, she says, is what she intends to keep producing.

“We will continue to produce that evidence,” she says. “So that girls can become what they can see.

” In Ms Rosalynn’s framing, empowerment is neither a slogan nor a seasonal celebration. It is a growth model.

A capital allocation strategy. A competitiveness lever.

And if her vision holds, the quiet women who once carried households without applause will no longer exist behind curtains. They will be visible.

And visibility, in her ledger, is value. .

Arusha. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) has elected Justice Blaise Tchikaya of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) as its new President, following the unexpected early departure of Justice Modibo Sacko of Mali.

Justice Sacko had been elected on June 2, 2025, for a two-year term scheduled to run until June 2027. However, his tenure lasted only six months, prompting questions and speculation over the reasons behind his early resignation. According to official information published on the Court’s website, Justice Sacko will continue to serve as a member of the Bench, while Justice Tchikaya assumes the presidency for the remainder of his predecessor’s term.

Sources indicate that Justice Sacko formally tendered his resignation from the presidency without publicly disclosing detailed reasons. No official statement has been issued elaborating on the circumstances surrounding his decision.

Justice Tchikaya is therefore expected to serve the remaining one year and six months of the term, after which he may seek election for a full two-year mandate in accordance with the Court’s rules. In his acceptance remarks, Justice Tchikaya described his election as a profound honour and pledged to uphold the Court’s authority, particularly as it prepares to mark its 20th anniversary.

“I undertake this responsibility with deep commitment to safeguarding the Court’s mandate,” he said, noting his intention to work closely with fellow judges, the Registrar, staff and stakeholders to consolidate achievements, address persistent challenges and strengthen the Court’s role in protecting human and peoples’ rights across Africa. Justice Tchikaya assumes office at a critical juncture.

The Court continues to face mounting concerns over non-compliance by several member states of the African Union with its rulings, particularly in cases involving human rights violations. Persistent failure by some states to implement judgments has raised concerns about the institution’s credibility and long-term authority.

During his tenure, the new President is expected to intensify engagement with AU organs and human rights partners to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and promote greater adherence to the Court’s decisions. Another priority will be expanding ratification of the Protocol establishing the Court.

Of the 55 AU member states, only 34 have ratified the Protocol, and just eight — Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Malawi, Niger and Tunisia — have deposited the declaration under Article 34(6), allowing individuals and non-governmental organisations direct access to the Court. Encouraging more states to ratify the Protocol and accept the Court’s jurisdiction remains essential to broadening its reach and reinforcing Africa’s regional human rights framework.

Former President of the Court, Justice Imani Daud Aboud of Tanzania, previously described non-implementation of judgments as the institution’s greatest weakness. She noted that during her tenure, discussions were initiated with senior AU officials to explore sustainable solutions.

“Our concern is that the Court risks losing relevance if stakeholders begin to perceive it as a forum whose decisions carry no practical weight,” she said, emphasising that enforcement lies with the AU Executive Council, composed of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. “As Justice Tchikaya begins his leadership, expectations remain high that the Court will consolidate its authority and reaffirm its central role in advancing human rights and justice across the continent,” said a Senior Law Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Tumaini University Makumira, Dr Elifuraha Laltaika.

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Kitonga. The government is in the final stages of launching the expansion of the Kitonga road in Iringa Region into a four-lane carriageway with street lighting, in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving safety along the steep and winding hill section.

The Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, said the project follows a directive by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to address traffic congestion and enhance road safety. Speaking during an inspection tour of the more than seven-kilometre stretch earmarked for expansion, Mr Ulega described Kitonga as a challenging hilly section with several sharp bends that can appear intimidating to motorists, particularly heavy-duty truck drivers.

Although not officially classified as hazardous, the terrain, steep gradients and winding corners require extra caution from road users. The Kitonga stretch forms part of the TANZAM Highway, a key regional corridor linking Tanzania to fellow Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, including Zambia and Malawi.

The route also serves transit cargo to and from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe that depend on Tanzania’s ports, notably the Port of Dar es Salaam. “This road will be expanded to four lanes — two on each side — from the current two lanes.

Street lights will also be installed throughout to ensure the road remains accessible and safe at all times,” he said. Mr Ulega noted that traffic volumes along the corridor have doubled in recent years, increasing from 1,700 vehicles to 3,400 vehicles per day, leading to frequent congestion along the hill section.

“I have received recommendations from the Tanroads Iringa regional office to address congestion at Kitonga, and I have directed our experts to widen this seven-kilometre stretch. Currently, it has two lanes; it will be expanded to four,” he said.

He said that President Hassan has instructed that all road projects must incorporate street lighting to enhance safety for motorists, traders and nearby residents. Guardrails will also be installed along the escarpment to prevent vehicles from veering off the road on steep slopes.

“I am directing that procurement processes begin immediately to ensure this road is expanded without delay. It is vital to the country’s economy, and we cannot leave it in its current state.

We must also implement the President’s directives to resolve these longstanding challenges,” he said. Kilolo MP Ritha Kabati said the road plays a significant role in regional and international trade and that its improvement would further stimulate economic growth in Iringa Region and the country at large.

She added that the upgrade would also ease access to essential social services, including healthcare in Iringa Municipality. The Tanroads Iringa regional manager, Mr Yudas Msangi, said the expansion of the seven-kilometre stretch from two to four lanes is estimated to cost Sh59.2 billion, while rehabilitation of the existing carriageway will require an additional Sh16.2 billion.

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Dar es Salaam. Changes in the ruling CCM secretariat or among senior party officials could occur at any time, The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, has been informed.

Reliable sources within CCM indicate the reshuffle is ongoing and may affect the party’s top leadership. If implemented, it would mark adjustments within six months since Dr Asha-Rose Migiro was appointed Secretary-General on August 23, 2025. Political analysts say the changes are likely as CCM focuses on defending the government and preparing for internal party elections.

Internal sources say the ordinary meeting of CCM’s Central Committee, held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Dodoma under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, may be part of the reshuffle plan. Reports suggest Dr Migiro, former UN Deputy Secretary-General, and other senior officials could be affected.

“Changes are coming. All signs show Dr Migiro’s secretariat may be dissolved; some members cannot keep pace, especially as the party must support the government after the October 29 elections,” a reliable source said.

The source added that following the Central Committee meeting, the National Executive Council (NEC) will convene, where further changes could occur. Dr Migiro was appointed Secretary-General five days before CCM launched its campaign to defend the presidency.

She is the first woman to hold the post since the party’s establishment in 1977, replacing Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, now Vice President. The August 2025 reshuffle also saw Kenani Kihongosi appointed Secretary for Ideology, Propaganda and Training; Mr Joshua Mirumbe as NEC Secretary for Economy and Finance; and Mr Halid Mwinyi as Secretary-General of CCM Youth wing (UVCCM).

It has been 184 days since the last secretariat changes, and reports indicate further adjustments remain necessary. The NEC will meet soon to discuss the issue.

This will be the first NEC meeting since the October 29, 2025, general election. Unofficial reports suggest a Special National Congress could also convene online, although the agenda remains unclear.

CCM last held a Special National Congress on July 26, 2025, approving constitutional amendments and other party matters. Sources said the upcoming meetings will include reports from the CCM Zanzibar Special Committee, which met on February 19, 2026, under CCM Mainland Vice Chair and Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

Discussions included progress in CCM-ACT Wazalendo unity talks concerning the Zanzibar Government of National Unity (GNU). Analysts’ views Political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Richard Mbunda, said the developments are unsurprising, as CCM now needs to be active in defending the government.

He noted disputes involving Kihongosi and CCM elders, including Judge Joseph Warioba and Joseph Butiku, highlighting the need for careful political management. “Dr Migiro is composed and suitable for calm periods, but the party needs a different approach now to maintain legitimacy and support for the government,” said Dr Mbunda.

Analyst Kiama Mwaimu argued that some current secretariat leaders have struggled to keep pace. “Dr Migiro appears more like a professional executive than a politician, possibly due to limited political experience.

CCM needs a Secretary-General with political acumen, like Abdulrahman Kinana,” he said. Prof Ali Makame Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar (Suza) said CCM’s secretariat has lacked strength since the October 29, 2025, election.

He noted that many national issues are discussed, but the party does not provide satisfactory answers. “Considering current forces and the 2027 internal elections, CCM needs a strong secretariat to correct weaknesses and prepare for both internal elections and the 2030 general election,” said Prof Makame.

He added that 100 days of President Hassan’s term have passed, with some promises, including a new constitution, yet to be fulfilled, underscoring the need for a capable secretariat. .

Dar es Salaam. Telecommunications firm Yas Tanzania has announced plans to host iftar meals for more than 10,000 customers across Dar es Salaam, Coast Region, Tanga and Zanzibar during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The initiative forms part of the company’s broader community engagement programme and was unveiled on Tuesday evening during an iftar gathering at Magomeni Market in Dar es Salaam, which brought together more than 1,000 residents, including customers, religious leaders and community representatives. Speaking at the event, Yas Dar North Zonal Director Aidan Komba said Ramadhan offered an opportunity to strengthen bonds with communities.

“Ramadhan is a time for generosity and unity. By sharing iftar with the residents of Magomeni, we celebrate our values as a company and reaffirm our commitment to building meaningful relationships with our customers,” he said.

Mr Komba said the company would roll out similar iftar events in other regions in the coming weeks, targeting over 10,000 participants in total. He added that Yas continues to invest in telecommunications infrastructure, including the expansion of 4G coverage nationwide and enhancement of 5G services in key cities, to ensure reliable connectivity for communication, business and access to information, particularly during the fasting period.

In support of the holy month, the company is also providing free access to its Islamic content platform, HIKMA, which offers daily duas, Ramadhan teachings and Taraweeh programmes. Customers can access the service by calling 0901655582 or sending an SMS to 15582. Residents at the Magomeni gathering welcomed the initiative, describing it as a gesture that strengthens community spirit.

Speaking on behalf of attendees, Mr Masoud Masoud said the event reinforced ties between the company and the local community. “The gathering shows appreciation for customers and brings people together during an important time in our faith,” he said.

The Magomeni event marks the start of Yas’ nationwide Ramadhan engagement activities, which the company says are aimed at deepening community relations while supporting customers during the holy month. .

Dar es Salaam. In the history of the Catholic Church in Tanzania, the name of Polycarp Cardinal Pengo carries immense spiritual weight; yet behind his cardinal robes lies the story of a family that nurtured him and witnessed his rise in church service.

Until his retirement, Cardinal Pengo served the Church for a total of 54 years as a priest, including 42 years in episcopal roles and 27 years as a cardinal. Cardinal Pengo passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, while receiving treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam.

From the family home to the altar, Cardinal Pengo’s journey is not only one of church leadership but also of upbringing, values, and a lasting spiritual legacy. Reflecting on Cardinal Pengo’s spiritual path, his sister, Ms Helena Pengo, said her brother’s discipline and quiet nature were evident in childhood, noting how he vowed to become a bishop.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, during an exclusive interview at her home in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, where the family continues to mourn, Ms Pengo said her brother was the only child never physically disciplined by their parents. “He was obedient and hated lies.

He became very angry when he discovered deception. That was his nature.

Parents found it difficult to punish him for any wrongdoing. The rest of us were disciplined, but not him,” she said.

Recalling how his faith developed and inspired the vow to become a bishop, Ms Pengo said that as a child, Cardinal Pengo would accompany their mother to church and told her he wished to become a bishop. “This happened after hearing a church announcement about Bishop Polycarp Nahimidiwe’s celebration.

The announcement inspired him, and since he was also named Polycarp, he said he too wanted to be a bishop,” she said. She added that in making that vow, their mother told him he could not become a bishop without first being a priest, but he insisted he would be only a bishop.

“Mother smiled and said, ‘We shall see.’ After completing fourth grade, he joined the seminary, and that is where his spiritual journey began,” she said.

Ms Pengo noted that among their nine children, Polycarp (Cardinal Pengo) was the only one not physically disciplined. “He was obedient, quiet, and truthful.

If he discovered someone had deceived him, he became very angry. Even when we erred, our father often believed he did not, and that was usually the case,” she said.

She highlighted the dedication of their eldest sister, Mwamkodula Pengo, who was entrusted with educating the five younger siblings, including Cardinal Pengo. “Our father was not highly educated, but he sent our eldest sister to school until she became a teacher.

He then said she would not marry until she had taught us younger ones,” said Ms Pengo. “Polycarp (Cardinal Pengo), I (Helena), and our siblings Modesti and Gasper were taught by her.

She assumed the father’s responsibilities. Our brother greatly respected and valued that,” said Ms Pengo, the eighth of nine children.

Cardinal Pengo, the sixth born, was described as calm and non-confrontational, in contrast to the more mischievous seventh sibling. “In the village, going to the farm, he would guide us.

Many children lie, but not him. If it was black, he said black; if white, he said white.

He was a person of strong principles,” she said. Regarding his spiritual life, she said his upbringing of silence, attentiveness, and love shaped his faith.

She added that he never allowed the family to advise him on church matters, insisting such decisions were for church advisers alone. “He completely disliked interference in church affairs.

At times, this caused challenges, but that was his stance. Some in society disapproved, but that was his truth,” she said.

Outside his spiritual duties, Cardinal Pengo enjoyed playing the piano and singing, and was regarded as a musician. Funeral arrangements This reporter visited the site where Cardinal Pengo will be buried on Saturday, February 28, 2026, as announced by the Archbishop of the Dar es Salaam Archdiocese, Jude Thadaeus Ruwa’ichi.

Cardinal Pengo will be buried on Saturday, February 28, at the Pilgrimage Centre in Pugu, a site he personally prepared years ago and wished to be his resting place. His body will be interred within the church used for pilgrim masses at the centre, opened on July 7, 1995, which Cardinal Pengo is credited with founding.

His funeral mass will be held at the site on Saturday, starting at 10:00 a.m.

According to Archbishop Ruwa’ichi, on Friday, February 27, the late Cardinal’s body will be transported from Lugalo to St Joseph Cathedral from 9:00 a.m.

, allowing the faithful to pay final respects. “The funeral mass will begin at 1:00 p.

m., followed by final respects until 4:00 p.

m., then another mass.

The body will remain in the church for vigil prayers for those wishing to pray and sing,” said Archbishop Ruwa’ichi. He added that at the wee hours of Saturday, February 28, the body will leave St Joseph Cathedral for Pugu, where the burial mass will commence at 10:00 a.

m. Archbishop Ruwa’ichi said he received the news with faith, asking God to grant the deceased eternal rest and urging the faithful and well-wishers to attend the service and burial in large numbers.

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