Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Preparations are heating up for another thrilling international rugby fixture this Saturday at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Rugby Grounds, where Clyde and Co.

‘s Dar Leopards will take on Kenya’s Mombasa Sports Club from 3:30 pm. The action-packed afternoon will kick off with a women’s curtain-raiser match at 3:00 pm, followed by the men’s 15s fixture.

The event promises fans a full day of competitive rugby, vibrant social interaction, and community celebration. This Saturday’s encounter marks yet another milestone in the Dar Leopards’ expanding calendar of regional matches, further strengthening sporting ties between Tanzanian and Kenyan clubs while promoting rugby development across East Africa.

Clyde and Co., an international law firm with seven integrated offices across Africa, continues to partner with Dar Leopards Rugby Club to organize the event, demonstrating its commitment to community engagement and sports development in Tanzania.

The event will be hosted by Peter Kasanda, Clyde and Co. Africa Chair, a former Dar Leopards player and club chair, who will welcome players, guests, and supporters to what promises to be an exciting afternoon.

Spectators attending the UDSM Grounds can expect an electrifying atmosphere, complete with refreshments, competitive matches, and celebrations of rugby culture. The program opens with a showcase match featuring the Dar Cheetahs, the women’s contact rugby team of the Dar Leopards.

Founded in 2024, the Cheetahs have quickly made their mark through teamwork and dedication, and are already preparing for an expanded 2026 season. Their curtain-raiser performance will set the stage for the main event against Mombasa Sports Club.

The Dar Leopards, one of Tanzania’s oldest and most prestigious rugby clubs, continue to nurture local talent while promoting the sport nationwide. With active men’s, women’s, and touch rugby teams, the club plays a central role in the growth of Tanzanian rugby at both grassroots and competitive levels.

Saturday’s fixture also signals the Leopards’ efforts to revive the traditional “Mamba Cup,” a regional tournament historically featuring clubs from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mombasa. .

Dar es Salaam. For decades, Kariakoo has been Tanzania’s heartbeat of trade, a bustling market where traders and buyers haggle over clothes, shoes, and cosmetics.

But today, a smartphone has become more powerful than a shop in Kariakoo. With only an internet connection and good camera, a growing class of young online brokers popularly known as Winga in Swahili, are rewriting the rules of business in the country.

According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the country had over 54.1 million internet users as of June 2025. And for Winga, this digital audience has become their customer base. Many Winga source their products from Kariakoo, where wholesale traders offer clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories at affordable prices.

According to Thabit Abdul, who runs a thrift fashion page, his business depends less on location and more on how fast he posts online. “I usually go to Kariakoo a few times a week.

I look for clothes and shoes that are unique but affordable. Then I post them on Instagram and WhatsApp.

Most of the time, my items sell the same day,” he explained. On the other hand, handmade jewellery seller, Sofia Gidion, shared a similar experience, saying she turned Instagram and TikTok into her shopfront after graduation.

“At first, I thought I’d just share pictures with friends, but soon I had messages from people asking to buy. Now, a good month brings Sh300,000 to Sh800,000. I don’t pay rent, and my phone is enough to run the business,” she said.

Like many others, Fatma Saidi built her thrift fashion brand by buying from Kariakoo traders and reselling online. “I find unique pieces, buy them cheaply, and then sell them online.

Social media lets me reach buyers quickly without needing a physical shop,” she noted. She added that shipping was no longer a barrier.

“Sometimes I package orders and use local couriers, and other times I use DHL, so I don’t need to be a big company to send products abroad,” she shared Kariakoo phone seller Suleiman Mussa said the business model is now popular with students. “We work with young people, many of them university students, who buy phones or accessories and resell them to their peers.

It helps them generate income, and the demand keeps growing,” he said. Mr Mussa noted that many of his customers follow his WhatsApp status updates to check new arrivals, and most products sell within hours.

Not every Winga journey is smooth. Riziki Hassan, who sells clothing online, said one of her biggest challenges was friends and relatives asking for discounts or taking products on credit.

“Once people see you posting items online, they assume it’s easy to give things for free or on credit. But when they don’t pay back, the business suffers,” she said.

Riziki explained that success depended on understanding customers. “This business has no physical shop.

It’s just you, your phone, and your social media pages. The most important thing is to know your customers, have a good phone with a strong camera, and stay online with internet data all the time,” she shared While many started with thrift goods from Kariakoo, some Winga now directly import items from abroad.

Small shipments from China, Dubai, India, and even the United States are making their way into Tanzania through individual dealers. Their shops remain Instagram reels, TikTok videos, WhatsApp statuses, and Facebook stories, where promotion drives sales.

Judith James, once a Kariakoo-based Winga, now imports her own products. “I no longer rely heavily on local shops.

I started small, studied the game, and today I import directly,” she said. She credited social media for this transformation.

“Social media has made it possible for us to grow beyond just reselling. It allows us to run real businesses, connect directly with customers, and become independent,” she explained.

Technology analyst Dominic Dismas believes Winga are changing the way Tanzanians think about shopping. “Consumers are no longer limited to shop hours or specific locations.

With a smartphone, they can shop at midnight, compare prices instantly, and interact directly with sellers. That’s a revolution,” he said.

The smartphone has become the new storefront, with every post a potential sale. And as more Winga gain confidence, Kariakoo is no longer just a physical market it has become the supply hub of a digital economy driven by creativity, convenience, and connectivity.

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Dar es Salaam. Economic and development experts have emphasised that addressing the skills mismatch is crucial to achieving Vision 2050, which aims to transform Tanzania into a $1 trillion economy with a per capita income of $7,000. Speaking at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Conference 2025 in Iringa yesterday, experts from higher learning institutions noted that recent improvements to the national education curriculum could steer the country towards Vision 2050 (Dira 2050) provided there is greater investment in learning infrastructure and qualified teaching staff.

The conference, jointly organised by Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU) and the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), was held under the theme: Vision 2050: Are we building an inclusive economy? PPPC executive director, David Kafulila, said the global economy rests on four pillars: geographical location, natural resources, diplomacy, and human resources. “Quality human capital is key for building Tanzania’s economy, as sustainability depends more on skilled personnel than natural endowments,” he said.

He highlighted the long-standing mismatch between classroom knowledge and market needs. He added that government initiatives, including free education and student loan schemes for mid-level colleges, are being implemented to bridge the gap between skills and employment.

RUCU Vice Chancellor, Sister Prof Chrispine Lekule, said education reforms will guide the country towards its development targets if effectively implemented. “Most schools and colleges lack adequate facilities for practical training.

Teachers must also be prepared for competency-based teaching, which is prioritised in the new curriculum,” she said. Senior RUCU lecturer, Dr Isdore Minani, noted that Tanzania scores 0.

39 on the Human Capital Index, meaning today’s youth will achieve only 39 percent of their productive potential. “Vision 2050 requires skilled human capital, and more investment is urgently needed,” he said.

Daima Associates chairman, Prof Samuel Wangwe, highlighted priority sectors under Dira 2050, including agriculture, industry, mining, sports, creative industries, finance, and tourism. He stressed that inclusive PPP arrangements are essential to support these sectors, reduce government borrowing, and improve infrastructure.

Speakers agreed that public-private partnerships remain vital for national development. They highlighted that PPPs are collaborative arrangements, not privatisation, and allow private-sector co-financing of projects, while enabling closer alignment between education, skills, and market needs.

Experts further called for stronger ethics in education, improved communication on PPPs, and inclusive participation to enhance accountability and impact. Participants also agreed that boosting productivity, modernising agriculture, and expanding access to technology and financing are key to creating an inclusive economy and tackling youth unemployment, paving the way for a competitive and sustainable Tanzania by 2050. Sharing further clarification on addressing skills mismatch, Prof Lekule emphasised that quality education is the engine of change, noting that Tanzania cannot achieve its Vision 2050 goals without it.

She said Tanzania requires critical thinkers, skilled innovators, and leaders of integrity to drive sustainable economic growth. “Universities must lead social transformation through research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration with other sectors,” she said.

“Education and research should deliver solutions to Tanzania’s social and economic challenges. For Vision 2050 to succeed, transformation must start from the grassroots to the tertiary education levels,” she added.

Prof Lekule urged stronger public-private partnerships and curricula that integrate innovation, science, technology, vocational training, and gender equality. She insisted that investment in teachers, infrastructure, research, and skills transfer is vital.

“Educators should be role models, and young people must see education as a tool for national service. Education is central to our future,” she insisted, urging collective action to build a skilled, innovative, and prosperous Tanzania.

Substantiating the significance of Tanzania’s geographical position, resources, and diplomacy to drive growth, Mr Kafulila said Tanzania’s strategic position as a gateway to several landlocked countries presents substantial economic opportunities. He said over the past three decades, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure to capitalise on this advantage.

He stressed that key projects include the expansion of Dar es Salaam Port, generating nearly 40 percent of national revenue, and upgrading roads and bridges. “In the last four years alone, gravel roads have grown from 24,000 to 44,000 kilometres, while tarmac roads rose from 13,200 to 15,300 kilometres.

Despite progress, Tanzania’s vast size, larger than half of East Africa combined, remains a logistical challenge,” he said. Mr Kafulila noted that the country can harness its abundant natural resources to accelerate growth, with results already evident.

He said that since 2021, the contribution of artisanal miners to the economy has doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent, enhancing inclusivity. “Tourism earnings surged from $1.3 billion in 2021 to $4 billion last year, creating 1.

5 million jobs and increasing tour operators from 2,800 to 3,700. Irrigated land expanded from 500,000 to 980,000 hectares, boosting agricultural productivity,” said Mr Kafulila. He said a fertiliser plant has been built in Dodoma with a capacity of one million tonnes to meet national demand.

“Meat-processing factories have risen from three to seven, while mineral processing plants increased from three to nine, creating more jobs and enhancing industrial capacity,” he insisted. Explaining why diplomacy was a growth engine, Mr Kafulila said diplomatic stability is crucial for economic growth, with global trade depending on robust engagement.

“Tanzania’s trade surged from $17 billion in 2021 to over $32 billion in 2024, driven by strategic diplomacy. Dar es Salaam Port’s capacity rose from 17 million tonnes in 2021 to 30 million tonnes in 2024, improving efficiency,” he told the conference.

Furthermore, he said securing development loans has been pivotal, noting that despite rising debt, the gains are evident in infrastructure, including roads, major bridges such as the Magufuli Bridges, and the Sh270 billion Kilwa Fishing Port — the largest in East and Central Africa. He said transmission lines expanded from 6,000 km over six decades to 8,000 km in three years, a 30 percent increase.

According to him, power generation rose from 1,700 MW to over 4,000 MW, making Tanzania East Africa’s leader. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 46 percent, below Kenya’s 70 percent and Rwanda’s 71 percent, and credit ratings of B+ from Moody’s and Fitch, the government aims for a $1 trillion economy by 2050. This translates to about $7,000 per capita for a projected population of 140 million, with the PPPs described as the key leader in the realization of the economic growth.

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Dodoma. When a family is forced to choose between buying schoolbooks and having a meal, it is not just another tale of hardship but a case study of the psychological burden that poverty creates.

Economic deprivation leaves not only visible scars of malnutrition but also invisible ones like emotional trauma and mental distress that last a lifetime. Across low- and middle-income countries, poverty has become a frontline driver of depression and anxiety.

Research from Malawi, Tanzania and global institutions such as the World Bank and WHO links financial shocks, food scarcity, job losses and rising healthcare costs to worsening mental health, a vicious cycle that undermines resilience and productivity. As the world marks World Mental Health Day, experts are calling for poverty reduction to be treated as a central mental health strategy.

The Regional Medical Officer for Dodoma, Dr Rutachunzibwa, recently told The Citizen’s sister publication, Mwananchi, that health providers and the public should “seek alternative sources of income to free themselves from the chainsaw of poverty”, which he said remains a major driver of mental illness and suicide cases. In recent years, young people have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI) tools for support, motivation and income generation.

A 2024 report by Gusto Insight Entrepreneurship, authored by Senior Economist Nick Tremper, found that Gen Z entrepreneurs are 56 percent more likely than Gen X to use generative AI in business operations. However, this growing dependence on technology has raised concerns about overreliance and exposure to psychological risks.

A tragic illustration of this came in April 2025, when 16-year-old British national died by suicide after months of conversations with an AI platform. His parents have since sued the AI platform, alleging the chatbot “actively enabled and coached” his suicidal behaviour.

The case, which is still ongoing, has sparked global debate on AI accountability and safety in mental health interactions. Mental health discussions have become more open among the youth, though generational differences persist.

Older generations in developing countries often dismiss mental health issues as exaggerations, leaving younger people to struggle in silence. Victor Mutta, 32, shared with The Citizen how depression derailed his academic life: “I dropped out because of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

It took a couple of years to recover, but by then going back to university meant starting over. I’ve always been intelligent, so starting over felt too shameful.

” During the Covid-19 lockdown, Victor found new purpose through digital learning and AI-powered platforms, a sign of how technology can both hinder and heal. The Head of the Psychology Department at Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital, Dr Japhet Swai, told The Citizen that AI should be viewed as a tool, not a therapist.

“Nothing is inherently good or bad; it depends on how we use it. AI can enhance learning and research, but young people must be careful how they engage with a technology we still don’t fully control.

” Dr Swai cautioned that AI lacks the empathy and perception essential in therapy. “A chatbot can’t read subtle human cues like tone, facial expression and hesitation which only years of clinical experience can interpret,” he said.

He also warned of data privacy risks, noting that tech owners hold significant control over user information, which could be accessed under certain legal pressures. Clinical psychiatrist Dr Veronica Lymo of Mirembe Hospital urged Tanzanians to seek help when struggling with mental health challenges.

“There is no shame in asking for help. Thinking you must face it alone makes you a prisoner of your own mind,” she said.

Mirembe Hospital’s Executive Director, Dr Paul Lawala, revealed that the institution has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University in Uganda to establish a Mental Health Call Centre. “The new 24-hour call centre will ensure that those experiencing mental distress can access help immediately and be referred to the nearest health centre before reaching Mirembe for specialist care,” Dr Lawala said.

As the world embraces AI-driven solutions, experts say the challenge is finding balance, using technology as a bridge to wellness, not a replacement for human connection. .

Arusha. Government officials from Kenya and Uganda, development partners, investors, and private sector leaders are expected to converge in Kampala, Uganda, later this month to explore financing options for the 193-kilometre KenyaUganda Multinational Expressway Project.

Codenamed the Market Sounding Conference, the two-day meeting scheduled to start on October 20 will seek a viable financing model for the expressway that will link KisumuBusia in Kenya to KakiraMalaba in Uganda. The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with the governments of Kenya and Uganda and the African Development Bank (AfDB), is organising the event.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 9, 2025, the EAC described the project as a key component of the Northern Transport Corridor, designed to enhance regional trade, improve transport efficiency, and foster cross-border integration. The expressway will also upgrade key border posts at Busia, Malaba, and Lwakhakha into modern One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), easing the movement of goods and people across the region.

“This project is not just about building a road; it is about creating a modern, safe, and efficient transport artery that connects businesses, people, and opportunities across East Africa,” said the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Planning and Productive, Social, and Political sectors, Andrea Ariik Malueth. He said that the Market Sounding Conference represents “a turning point in our efforts to establish a strategy for sustainable infrastructure development through private sector funding–transforming trade, strengthening regional integration, and unlocking opportunities for millions of our citizens.

” The conference will serve as a key platform for governments, financiers, development partners, and the private sector to engage on the expressway project. Participants will review the findings of detailed feasibility studies, including traffic forecasts, engineering designs, and environmental and social impact assessments.

A Bankability Report will also be presented, outlining proposals for viable public-private partnership (PPP) financing models based on project cost estimates. “There will be ample opportunity for rich dialogue on how to mobilise resources effectively and sustainably,” said Mr Malueth.

Beyond the technical discussions, the event will invite investors, bilateral donors, and development finance institutions to contribute ideas on enhancing the project’s bankability and ensuring it delivers lasting value. Discussions will also highlight how the expressway is expected to transform regional connectivity by easing cross-border trade, lowering transport costs, and spurring economic growth across East Africa.

The conference is expected to attract strong interest from investors and financiers, generating constructive feedback on the project’s design, feasibility, and financing models. It is also anticipated to build consensus on sustainable and inclusive approaches to project implementation while addressing potential environmental and social impacts.

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Mwanza. CCM’s presidential candidate and current Head of State, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged to cement the Lake Zone as the country’s commercial heartbeat by strengthening five crucial sectors–agriculture, health, education, energy and transport.

Addressing a rally at Nyamagana grounds in Mwanza as she concluded her campaign trail in the region, President Samia said her government’s vision is to build upon the foundations already laid, with Mwanza as the epicentre of transformation. “In the past five years alone, Mwanza has received approximately Sh5.6 trillion in development projects.

Some have already been completed, while others are nearing completion. This is why progress in Mwanza is visible, and this is why we must continue,” she declared, greeted by thunderous applause.

Health: Bringing specialist services closer President Hassan assured citizens that health remains a top priority. She pointed to major investments in the region’s referral hospitals.

“At Sekou-Toure, we have built a five-storey maternal and child block worth Sh10.1 billion, with 261 beds. This has helped us significantly reduce maternal and child deaths,” she said.

She added that government efforts have ensured hospitals now produce their own oxygen, ending the old practice of transporting gas cylinders from afar. “At Bugando, we invested over Sh9 billion to improve medical facilities, expand the ICU, and build a cancer treatment block.

We have acquired mammogram machines and modern radiotherapy equipment. Cancer patients no longer need to travel to Ocean Road in Dar es Salaam,” she stressed.

The President promised to extend specialised services to islands like Ukerewe so that patients no longer have to cross to Mwanza City for treatment. Education: Skills for the future On education, she highlighted how the government has expanded opportunities through free education and investment in skills training.

“We have built three VETA colleges in Magu, Misungwi and Buchosa to give our young people practical skills for self-employment. We have also constructed a new DIT campus in Ilemela and a campus of the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy in Misungwi.

At Malya in Kwimba, we have improved the sports college with an investment of over Sh34 billion. This is to nurture talent and produce more coaches for the country,” she explained.

Energy: Powering households and businesses The president reassured residents that energy is no longer a challenge, with electricity reaching more villages and emphasis being placed on clean cooking energy. “In the first phase, we subsidised gas cylinders to promote clean cooking, because we know this is a liberation for women.

For areas not yet covered, we will continue offering subsidies and expand distribution,” she said. Transport: Roads, rail and ports She underlined the transformative impact of infrastructure in the Lake Zone.

“The KigongoBusisi Bridge, worth Sh700 billion, is now Tanzania’s longest bridge. It has ended the long ferry delays, connecting communities faster.

The MwanzaIsaka Standard Gauge Railway, a 314km section worth Sh3 trillion, is progressing well. This will link Mwanza to the central corridor and boost trade across the region,” she stated.

She added that the ongoing Sh28 billion Mwanza Airport expansion will turn the city into an international hub, handling 4,000 passengers at once. “Alongside the Sh18 billion Northern Port expansion and the new Sh123 billion modern market in Mwanza, our goal is to make Mwanza the Kariakoo of the Lake Zone,” she said.

She also highlighted government support for small traders, cage fishing investments worth S.1 billion in loans, and projects clearing invasive weeds from Lake Victoria.

“The recently launched MV Mpungu and the soon-to-operate MV Mwanza will strengthen trade with Uganda and Bukoba, restoring Mwanza’s role as the region’s trade hub,” she added. A record of resilience Former CCM Secretary General, Dr Bashiru Ally, told the crowd that President Samia has already proven her strength in times of trial.

“If our country has remained united, if CCM has stayed strong, and if peace and security have prevailed during a time of sudden change, then it is clear we are safe under her guidance,” he said, as supporters waved party flags. He urged Tanzanians to dismiss divisive voices: “These are distractions planned by a few.

Samia is a treasure of experience. I do not doubt that Tanzanians will vote for her to continue leading this country forward.

” Parliamentary candidate for Arusha Urban, Paul Makonda, also rallied youth to stand with Samia. “When the late Magufuli was president, some insulted him day and night.

Now they attack Samia. But where are the youth to defend her achievements? This is the time to rise and protect our leader,” he declared.

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Yaounde. Cameroonian President Paul Biya is running for an eighth term on Sunday that could keep him in office until he is nearly 100, seeking to overcome frustration with his decades-long rule and a spirited challenge from a former government mouthpiece.

Biya took office in 1982 and has held a tight grip on power ever since, doing away with the presidential term limit in 2008 and winning re-election by comfortable margins. His government has denied claims of ballot stuffing and manipulating the courts to sideline opponents.

Maurice Kamto, Biya’s top challenger in the 2018 election, has been disqualified this time and the remaining contenders have failed to rally around a unity candidate, boosting the president’s victory chances. Biya rarely appears in public, fuelling consistent speculation that he is in poor health.

The government last year banned public discussion of the topic. He has attended one campaign rally this year, on Tuesday in the northern city of Maroua, where he thanked people for their support “despite the false omens, the slander, the fabrications”.

He acknowledged complaints about basic services like roads and electricity in the cocoa and oil-producing country. “I am well aware of the problems that are of concern to you.

I am aware of the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future,” he said. “I can assure you that these problems are not impossible to overcome.

” FORMER SPOKESPERSON BECOMES CHALLENGER The challenger drawing the biggest crowds is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who previously served as employment minister but announced in June that he was defecting. Tchiroma has accused Biya of mismanaging Cameroon’s resource wealth, leaving it dependent on international financial institutions.

“Their failure is everywhere,” he said of the ruling party while campaigning. All Cameroonians are fed up with their management.

” It is unclear whether the energy of Tchiroma’s rallies will translate into votes. In war-hit eastern Congo, nearly 90% of surveyed health facilities were fully out of medicines “One is left with the impression that if this mobilisation is transferred into the ballot box then change is coming,” said Pippie Hugues, a Cameroonian political analyst.

“However, the reverse might be true. We have seen such mobilisation in 2018, and nothing changed.

” Raoul Sumo Tayo, senior researcher with the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies think tank, said Tchiroma might perform well in cities but would struggle in rural areas where the ruling party has a strong turnout operation fuelled by patronage. “The ruling party is likely to be declared the winner of the election,” he said.

“Nevertheless, Tchiroma has demonstrated a strong ability to mobilise support to contest the results.” Twelve candidates are running in the election, and Cameroon does not hold run-offs, meaning the top vote-getter on Sunday wins .

She would go on to become a legendary anthropologist and conservationist. She was an advocate for animals–what she referred to as sentient beings.

Her groundbreaking research into the lives of chimpanzees opened the world to a new understanding and empathy towards the wild ecosystem she studied and protected for more than 60 years. She travelled widely, visiting research centres and zoos around the world, calling for the humane treatment of man’s closest relatives.

It all began at Gombe National Park, years before Tanzania gained independence. A 26-year-old British woman chose the unknown jungles as her home.

The British colonial administration in Nairobi was alarmed that one of their young female citizens had chosen an African wilderness as her habitat. Her mother later joined her in Tanzania to calm everyone’s nerves.

With her calm and observant nature, she began to study the primates of Gombe National Park, located along the north-eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The mountainous region is now popular with trekkers who come for its steep valleys, waterfalls, and primate population.

It is Tanzania’s smallest national park but one of the most famous. For 65 years, it has been in the global spotlight since Dr Jane Goodall first set foot on its montane forest reserve.

It was in this very forest that she observed a chimpanzee using a stick, after stripping off its leaves, to catch termites. It was the first recorded instance of an animal other than humans using tools.

She reported this remarkable discovery to Dr Louis Leakey. That marked the opening of a window into the world of primates.

She ventured into a male-dominated field and knew she would have to step on toes, navigate egos, and confront the sexualisation she faced as a woman scientist in the 1960s. She recalled how, during a photoshoot only a few years after settling in Tanzania, a National Geographic photographer focused more on her legs in khaki shorts than on her message about chimpanzee conservation.

Despite such moments, she would later use her fame to raise funds for chimpanzee protection and to amplify her voice for conservation worldwide. Gombe National Park is today a thriving tourism hub.

Accommodation facilities have expanded to serve the growing number of visitors drawn to the reserve. From morning boat rides on Lake Tanganyika to treks through the forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates, visitors describe the experience as unforgettable.

The park’s guides also earn glowing reviews. Though Gombe is known mainly for its chimpanzees, it is also home to baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

The guides are eager to help visitors spot each species during their treks. The long walks are well rewarded.

As the day ends, Gombe offers one of the most stunning sunset views over Lake Tanganyika. The surrounding lodges are impressive, offering spacious rooms and a blend of Tanzanian and international cuisine.

The park also hosts the Gombe Stream Research Centre, operated by the Jane Goodall Institute at Kasekera village. The facility focuses on chimpanzee behavioural studies, long-term ecological research, and population monitoring.

Once an endangered species, the chimpanzee is now among the most studied and closely observed primates in Tanzania. The centre also works with neighbouring communities on conservation outreach programmes.

Jane would spend hours walking alone in the forest, keeping her distance from human contact. She watched the primates closely, studying their way of life and behaviour.

She would later say that observing how chimpanzee mothers cared for their young taught her valuable lessons in raising her own child, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick. Her son grew up in the same wild environment where his mother worked.

Dr Goodall ensured that he was always safe and cared for. Motherhood never slowed her commitment to protecting the primates she had dedicated her life to.

During the AIDS pandemic, when the world was struggling with the virus and scientists were using primates for research, Dr Goodall still travelled to research centres. She advocated for humane treatment of the animals–larger cages, enrichment toys, and more social time among them.

Her approach was unconventional. As she aged, she adapted her advocacy.

She appeared on television and podcasts to reach younger audiences. At 91, she became the oldest-ever guest on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy.

She was relentless, and age never slowed her down. In her final days, she was in California for a speaking engagement.

She had recently co-produced a film titled Howl with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, a fellow environmental and climate activist. Her tireless work as a conservationist helped raise Gombe National Park’s profile on the global stage.

From early visits by Dr Louis Leakey to media and film crews eager to tell her story, all travelled to this remote area. National Geographic was among the first to visit.

Their filmmaker, Hugo van Lawick, would later become Goodall’s husband. The couple shared ten years of marriage and a deep passion for wildlife.

Over the years, other global figures have followed. The humanitarian and actress Angelina Jolie visited Gombe, sharing similar conservation interests.

So did Oprah Winfrey, the American billionaire philanthropist. Several United Nations officials have also toured the park to observe its conservation and development initiatives.

Gombe National Park has firmly established itself as the birthplace of modern chimpanzee research. Since 1960, when the young British researcher began her work there, it has hosted the longest continuous field study of wild animals in history.

The data collected over the past six decades is unmatched. Breakthrough discoveries about tool use, hunting patterns, and social hierarchies among chimpanzee communities have challenged earlier assumptions about humanity’s closest relatives.

Visitors to Gombe National Park enjoy a unique experience. Unlike in open savannah parks, here they can observe wild chimpanzees up close under the watchful guidance of park rangers.

The chimps are habituated to human presence after decades of contact. They rarely show aggression towards visitors.

Access to the park is by boat or dhow from Kigoma, as there are no roads leading directly to the reserve. The isolation adds to its sense of mystery and adventure.

Trekkers often describe the journey as part of the park’s charm. Gombe has become a symbol of conservation, humanity, empathy, and coexistence.

It embodies the principle that all species sharing this planet must learn to live in harmony. Dr Jane Goodall championed this belief with quiet but firm persuasion, urging world leaders to care.

She will be remembered not only as an anthropologist and primatologist but also as a human rights and environmental activist. Her influence extended into the realm of community empowerment.

In the 1980s, she began addressing the challenges facing villagers around Gombe. Poverty and deforestation were widespread.

She realised that for conservation to succeed, the people living near the primate reserve had to be empowered and actively involved. Her institute initiated community-based projects that improved livelihoods while reducing pressure on forest resources.

These efforts bridged the gap between humans and wildlife, demonstrating that conservation and development can coexist. Today, Gombe National Park remains a living testament to her life’s work.

Its forests echo with the calls of chimpanzees that generations of scientists have studied. Each rustle of leaves and each distant cry serves as a reminder of the woman who changed the world’s view of nature.

Dr Jane Goodall’s legacy endures–not only in the scientific data she collected but in the compassion she inspired. Her work continues to guide conservationists, reminding humanity that the fate of the wild is inseparable from our own.

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Juba. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed the country’s military chief and reinstated his predecessor whom Kiir had sacked three months earlier, state-run television announced.

The moves add to relentless turnover within the ranks of South Sudan’s military and government as Kiir contends with armed conflict and speculation within the country about his eventual succession. Kiir, 74, has led a transitional government in the impoverished and fractured nation since independence from Sudan in 2011. Scheduled elections have twice been postponed and First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir’s main rival during a 2013-2018 civil war, was charged last The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Wednesday that Kiir had appointed Paul Nang Majok to replace Dau Aturjong as the new Chief of Defence Forces, without providing a reason for the decision.

Aturjong was reassigned to be a technical adviser at the defence ministry. In July, Kiir had, without explanation, sacked Majok after seven months in the post and replaced him with Aturjong.

That decision came after renewed fighting in the northeast in which the military was briefly overrun by a militia from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. The government placed Machar under house arrest in March, accusing him of supporting the militia, and he went on trial for treason, murder and crimes against humanity last month.

Machar has denied the allegations. His detention reignited fears of a return to full-blown civil war, with his supporters accusing the government of violating a 2018 peace and power-sharing agreement.

Analysts say that Kiir’s repeated shake-ups of the government and security apparatus are aimed at consolidating his hold on power and keeping various factions satisfied. U.

N. investigators last month accused South Sudanese leaders of “systematic looting” of the nation’s wealth for their personal gain .

Dar es Salaam. After impressing at the Tanzania Vodacom Open, Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, has turned her focus to representing the country at the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled from October 13 to 15, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Kenya.

The high-profile tournament, part of the Sunshine Development Tour, will bring together elite golfers from across the region for three days of intense competition. Registration for the event opened on September 22 and closes on October 6, with players expected to register via golfplus.

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The East Africa Swing is a key stage in the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, offering golfers the chance to gain ranking points, sharpen their skills, and compete on a professional platform that feeds into one of Africa’s premier golf circuits. Madina, who has consistently been Tanzania’s top female golfer, expressed excitement about the upcoming tournament.

“It’s always an honor to represent Tanzania in international tournaments,” she said. “Events like the East Africa Swing help us test our game against top players while also strengthening regional golf ties.

I’m looking forward to giving my best performance in Nairobi.” Over the years, Madina has helped elevate the profile of women’s golf in Tanzania through outstanding performances at events such as the Tanzania Ladies Open, the Geita Open, and the EAC Ladies Challenge Trophy.

Her participation in the Sunshine Development Tour highlights the growing recognition of Tanzanian golfers on the continental stage. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of East Africa’s oldest and most scenic courses, will host the tournament.

Known for its lush fairways and challenging layout, the venue promises an exciting contest as top male and female professionals compete for honors and ranking points. .