Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The fourth prosecution witness in the treason case against Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu (pictured) has told the High Court that what he heard the opposition leader say in a video is what later happened on the day of the General Election on October 29, 2025. The witness, one of the prosecution’s protected witnesses, was identified as P5 (33).

He testified from a special enclosure that concealed him from the public and the accused, while remaining visible to the judges. Lissu faces one count of treason under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, based on statements he allegedly made about plans to disrupt the 2025 General Election.

He is accused of saying on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, that he would mobilise the public to prevent the election from taking place, statements interpreted by authorities as incitement. The case is being heard by a three-judge panel led by the High Court Judge in Charge of Iringa, Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, sitting with Justices James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde.

The trial is currently at the stage of hearing prosecution evidence. Testifying yesterday under questioning by Principal State Attorney Ajuaye Zegeli, the witness said he lives in Ubungo District and works as a street vendor selling shoes and socks sourced from Ilala Boma market.

He also washes cars. He told the court that on April 4, 2025, while resting at a garden near NBC Bank in the city centre, he was browsing social media on his smartphone when he came across a video showing Lissu, whom he recognised as a politician.

He said he opened the video and heard Lissu say he would ensure the 2025 elections for councillors, MPs and the President would not take place, and that he would “cause disruption.” He also claimed that in the video Lissu said the police were being used to steal votes and that judges were biased.

After watching the video, he said he later went to a local gathering place where people were discussing it, with some expressing support for the idea of disrupting the election. He told the court the discussion made him fear violence and loss of income for street traders.

He said he later called a relative who is a police officer, who told him the matter was being handled. On April 9, 2025, he said, he was summoned to the Central Police Station, where he gave a statement about the video.

“What he said in that video about causing disruption is exactly what happened on Election Day. I stayed indoors for six days,” the witness told the court.

During cross-examination, Lissu, who is representing himself, questioned the witness about differences between his testimony in court and the statement he gave to the police. At several points, the witness admitted that some details he had mentioned in court were not included in his earlier statement.

Lissu also asked the witness to explain the meaning of the phrase he interpreted as “causing disruption.” The witness said it meant inciting unrest, but could not explain how he arrived at that interpretation.

The hearing continues. .

Ifakara. The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) has launched celebrations to mark 70 years of health research and innovation, reflecting on a journey that began as a small field laboratory and grew into one of Africa’s leading research institutions.

Speaking at the launch of the IHI@70 anniversary at Homeland Hall in Ifakara on Thursday, 12 February, Executive Director Dr Honorati Masanja described the milestone as a celebration of resilience and impact. “We are not just gathered to mark a date on the calendar.

We are here to celebrate seven decades of persistence, discovery and an unwavering commitment to the health of humanity,” Dr Masanja said. Founded in 1956 as the Swiss Tropical Institute Field Laboratory (STIFL) under the Swiss Tropical Institute in Basel, Switzerland, the institute has evolved into an African-led organisation with international recognition and operational bases in Dar es Salaam, Ifakara and Bagamoyo.

“For 70 years, Ifakara has been at the front lines of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Our impact is measured not just in peer-reviewed papers, but in lives saved and diseases defeated,” Dr Masanja said.

Over the decades, IHI has contributed significantly to malaria control, including testing insecticide-treated bed nets and conducting early vaccine trials. It has also strengthened maternal and child health, tuberculosis diagnostics, HIV care models and health systems research, while advancing work in genomics, artificial intelligence and climate-sensitive disease surveillance.

Board Chair of IHI, Prof Abraham Mnzava, said the anniversary is not only about longevity but measurable results. “Seventy years is not merely a number.

It is a testament to resilience. It is evidence of relevance.

It is proof of sustained excellence,” Prof Mnzava said. He noted that IHI’s health and demographic surveillance systems now cover more than one million people, generating critical data that informs national policy and global health strategies.

“Behind every dataset is a mother protected from malaria. Behind every clinical trial is a child given a chance to grow,” he said, adding that the institute’s enduring SwissTanzanian partnership has been central to its growth.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of former leaders, Prof Andrew Yona Kitua, Associate Research Professor at Kairuki University and former IHI director, reflected on the institute’s evolution and his personal journey. “Achieving 70 years of growth portrays maturity and the acquisition of wisdom through enduring hardships and tackling many challenges with determination,” Prof Kitua said.

He recalled arriving in Ifakara in 1992 from Seychelles and finding a remote town with no tarmacked roads and frequent flooding. “It was both shocking and challenging,” he said, noting that the area’s heavy malaria burden once shaped perceptions of the town.

Despite the difficulties, Prof Kitua said it was the people who sustained the institution. “As the saying goes, ‘Kifumwa ni vantu’ — it is the people who make the king.

It is the same people who have made Ifakara Health Institute what it is today, at 70 years. As part of the anniversary programme, IHI will host scientific symposia, community outreach activities and innovation forums throughout the year.

Looking ahead, Dr Masanja said the institute is preparing for emerging challenges including climate-sensitive diseases, pandemics and digital health equity. “We are building sustainable systems that will protect future generations,” she said.

From a remote laboratory in the Kilombero Valley to a globally influential research institution, IHI’s 70-year journey stands as a testament to science, partnership and service to humanity. .

Musoma. Four people have appeared at the District Resident Magistrate’s Court in Musoma, Mara, accused of stealing a Musoma Municipal Council ambulance, which was later found being converted into a vehicle for carrying tourists.

The suspects appeared before Acting Resident Magistrate Hadija Masala on Friday, 13 February 2026, where three charges were read, including an economic sabotage offence. The accused are Goodluck Chacha (26), a driver from Tarime, Mara; Karume Kihedu (26), a mechanic from Arusha; and Saidi Ramadhani (39) and Elias Joakim (53), both also from Arusha.

State Attorney Michael Kayombo told the court that all four are charged with money laundering, contrary to Sections 12(d) and 13(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap. 423, read together with Sections 57(1) and 60(2) of the Economic Sabotage and Crime Control Act.

“The accused jointly received Sh55 million from Alexia Baraka, knowing the funds were proceeds of crime. Handling such money is an offence under the law,” Kayombo said.

Goodluck Chacha, the first accused, faces additional charges of theft under Sections 258(1) and 265(1) of the Penal Code, Cap. 16, as amended in 2023. “You, Goodluck Chacha, on 25 October 2025 at the municipal parking area in Musoma, stole a Toyota Landcruiser, registration STM 7830, belonging to the United Republic of Tanzania, valued at Sh180 million,” the prosecutor said.

Chacha is also charged with leading a criminal gang, contrary to Paragraph 4(1)(d) of Schedule 1, Sections 57(1) and 60(2) of the Economic Sabotage and Planned Crime Control Act, Cap. 200, as amended in 2023. “You, Chacha, between 25 and 27 October 2025, in different locations within Musoma Municipality and Arusha, while not a public officer, encouraged criminal activity for personal gain, contrary to the law,” Kayombo said.

The prosecutor said investigations are ongoing and asked the court to set another date for the case to be mentioned. Following submissions, Magistrate Masala adjourned the case to 26 February 2026 for the next hearing.

Earlier, the magistrate noted that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case in full at this stage, so the accused were not required to respond to the charges. “Because your case involves multiple offences, including economic sabotage, this court does not have authority to try it.

You are only required to listen, not respond,” she said. The accused were remanded in custody until 26 February 2026, when the case will return to court.

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Bongo drinkers who spend time in bars to watch football are currently a depressed lot, be they adherents of Simba SC or those of Young Africans SC (Yanga). Granted that Yanga had started the season well, for they’ve clinched several trophies at the local front as] Simba struggles even with nondescript NBC Premier League teams.

However, when we come to the international scene, both of these bigtime teams aren’t good. This is the topic that dominates conversations in bars as men partake of their booze at Family, Forest and elsewhere.

Simba has been suffering in the hands of Yanga over the past four season, with no signs that this they’ll ever reawaken and turn tables against the apparently indomitable Jangwani side. Uncle Kich, who claims to have been a Simba supporter since 1974, has been a depressed man since Simba started to suffer defeats unstoppably since 2000 to date.

“Well, we had a bit of solace when we shined more than Yanga in continental competitions; but look now, Yanga have done better than us in the 2025/26 Afcon. It’s embarrassing!” After three encounters, Simba had ended up with zero points while their archrivals Yanga were boasting four points.

Right now, five encounters down the line, Uncle Kich’s team has claimed a mere two points while Yanga has five. Tibu, a Simba SC cheerleader in our side of Dar counsels fellow Simba supporters not to lose hope.

“The Mnyama is down but not out Mnyama will rise againSome years back, there was a match in which we beat Yanga 6-0 but people aren’t talking about it!” There’s this Simba adherent we all call Doctor, who has no illusion about Simba’s chances of winning anything this season. “It’s common for teams to go down, even in European leagues as welllook at Man-U of the yesteryear and that of todaybut as we can all see, it’s going up slowly again,” says Doctor as he refills his glass with beer.

He’s a Simba adherent to the core, but unlike many other Simba supporters, has been hopeful that Yanga would make it to the quarter finals. If Yanga makes to the top in this CAF Champions League, it will boost our position in continental and international rankings.

All hope that Simba would make it to the quarter finals was dashed on February 1 after they allowed Esperance Tunis–against whom they had beaten 2-0 by half time–to recover and equalise, thus earning a miserly one point that would take them nowhere. And that, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Aibu! Their 1-1 score versus Angola’s Petro Atletico on February 7 was also inconsequential. The Msimbazi Reds are practically out of the race–to the curious jubilation of Yanga fans who are consistently jeering: Simba hamna timu! On the same day, Morocco’s AS FAR silenced Yanga with a 1-0 in a goal scored in the dying minutes of the grueling match that started at 4pm.

Doctor wasn’t one of the majority of Simba fans at Family who celebrated Yanga’s loss. “That’s the end of the road for Yanga also–they’re, like us going nowhere with their miserable five points,” said a happy mhudumu, Fatuma, a Simba fan.

Disturbing, but that’s a typical M’bongo for you when it comes to Simba-Yanga rivalry. Doctor can keep his patriotism to himself! .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has formally opened a new chapter in its digital transformation journey, with the ICT Commission (ICTC) announcing the official start of a special registration and labelling framework for innovative ICT startups shaping key sectors of the economy.

At a press conference held in Dar es Salaam on February 12, 2026, the ICTC Director General, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, said the new system, known as ‘ICT Startup Labelling’, marked a strategic shift from simple registration to structured recognition and targeted support of tech-driven enterprises. “The time has come to move from identifying startups to systematically empowering them,” the DG said.

“This labelling framework will accelerate the journey from innovation to commercialisation, and ensure that no promising Tanzanian solution is left behind.” The ICT Commission, established under Government Notice No.

532 of November 2015, is mandated to promote ICT development, attract investment, build skills and coordinate strategic digital infrastructure projects. Over the past five years, Tanzania has witnessed a surge in youth-led innovation across finance, agriculture, health, education, tourism, transport and trade.

According to ICTC data, by December 2025 more than 95 innovation hubs had been established nationwide, with over 76 percent focused on ICT-based solutions. The Commission’s startup database had registered more than 400 ICT startups by the end of 2025. Of these, 161 met criteria to enter various incubation and acceleration programmes.

Yet, as Dr Mwasaga acknowledged, this was only a fraction of startups operating across the country. “The registration was free and helped us understand the needs of startups, from early-stage innovators to those ready for market exit,” he said.

“But we realised we needed a more refined system that aligns with our national development ambitions.” Under the new framework, startups will be classified into three categories–Silver, Gold and Tanzanite–based on their stage of growth.

Silver are startups that have completed product development and are beginning early commercial trials, Gold, startups with active customers and clear commercial traction, while Tanzanite, are those with high-growth startups seeking domestic and international business partnerships and ready for scale. The director explained that each category will come with defined criteria and specific benefits, including improved access to investment incentives, public procurement opportunities, regulatory fee relief and targeted capacity-building.

“The labelling will build trust among investors, regulators and development partners,” he said. “It will also make it easier for startups to test products in the market and enter into commercial agreements.

” The model draws lessons from countries such as Estonia, India, Algeria and Tunisia, nations that have leveraged structured startup recognition to boost innovation ecosystems. Aligning with Dira 2050 The move is firmly anchored in Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050. One of its five key drivers is digital transformation, with youth entrepreneurship and sustainable employment positioned at the heart of economic growth.

Experts believe the move is timely. A digital economy researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr Mussa Mkwizu, said the labelling initiative signals policy maturity.

“For years, Tanzania has invested in infrastructure, fibre backbone expansion, mobile penetration and digital public services,” he said. “What we are seeing now is the institutionalisation of innovation.

That is how you build a sustainable digital economy.” Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone now spans thousands of kilometres, linking all regions and connecting to neighbouring countries.

Mobile penetration exceeds 90 percent, while mobile money transactions continue to rank among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Regulatory sandboxes introduced by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) have further enabled fintech and telecom innovation to be tested in controlled environments without full licensing burdens.

Plans are underway to extend similar frameworks to insurance and capital markets. For innovators, the new system could ease long-standing barriers, especially access to capital and markets.

Co-founder of an agritech startup operating in Morogoro, Ms Judith Rwegasira, said formal recognition is critical when engaging investors. “Investors always ask about credibility and regulatory alignment,” she said.

“If the ICT Commission validates our stage of growth, it reduces due diligence friction and increases confidence.” Financial analysts argue that structured startup databases also improve data visibility, something international investors often cite as a gap in emerging markets.

According to Partech Africa reports, African tech startups have attracted billions of dollars in recent years, but East Africa’s share remains concentrated in a few markets. Analysts believe better policy clarity could help Tanzania capture a larger portion of regional tech capital.

Beyond domestic impact, the ICTC plans to publish updated lists of labelled startups every three months, promoting them in bilateral and multilateral engagements and major trade forums. .

Dar es Salaam. Technology is increasingly being positioned as a catalyst in strengthening Tanzania’s competency-based education system, with stakeholders arguing that digital tools could significantly improve how knowledge and skills are delivered in classrooms.

From augmented reality to 3D simulations and artificial intelligence-driven platforms, education technology providers say the shift is designed to move schools away from rote memorisation towards practical, skills-oriented learning aligned with real-life demands. Tanzania has in recent year’s expanded digital learning initiatives through programmes such as the Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET), Smart School projects introduced in selected urban schools, and the National Digital Education Strategy for 2024/252029/30. One of the companies leading this transition is Ekima, a Tanzanian technology firm that has introduced a digital learning platform featuring interactive videos, 2D and 3D animations, AI-powered tools, and augmented and virtual reality experiences.

According to the company, its platform has so far reached 297 educational institutions nationwide, serving more than 500,000 students and teachers. However, details on how these figures were verified or independently assessed were not immediately available.

In a new partnership with the Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC), Ekima aims to support the implementation of Tanzania’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which was introduced to address long-standing concerns about graduates lacking practical and workplace-ready skills. The collaboration seeks to integrate digital content, simulations, virtual laboratories and competency-based assessments into teaching, with the goal of improving learning outcomes and strengthening students’ skills readiness.

According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, Fredrick Mosha said competency-based teaching requires more than syllabus coverage. “It is about assessing skills and values, and whether students can apply what they have learned in real-life situations,” he said.

On the other hand, Ekima’s Chief Strategy Officer, Kusiluka Aginiwe, described the current phase of Tanzania’s education system as a major shift, noting that employers, policymakers and educators have for years expressed frustration over skills gaps among graduates. “The competency-based curriculum was introduced to respond to these concerns.

This partnership is designed to help close those gaps systematically,” he said. Mr Aginiwe further added that the use of interactive multimedia content can improve learning outcomes by between 20 and 30 percent.

“Particularly in STEM subjects where visualization enhances understanding, citing research from the Education Development Center,” he shared. Beyond academic performance, proponents argue that technology-supported competency-based education enhances employability.

According to Tanzania’s 2023 ICT Survey, only 32 percent of Tanzanians aged between 15 and 35 possess basic digital skills, while just 18 percent are able to use productivity software such as word processors or spreadsheets. This comes at a time when Tanzania’s emerging sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, business process outsourcing, creative industries and technology start-ups, increasingly require exactly these capabilities.

The Tanzania ICT Commission projects that the country will need more than 200,000 ICT professionals by 2030, yet current training pipelines are producing fewer than 15,000 graduates annually, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet future skills demand without significant changes in education delivery. Students exposed to simulations, problem-based learning and real-world scenarios are said to develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and digital fluency.

“The competencies that matter today go beyond the classroom,” Aginiwe said. “Digital fluency and problem-solving skills are increasingly central to employment readiness.

” As Tanzania’s economy diversifies into services, logistics, technology, tourism and creative industries, stakeholders argue that aligning education with digital transformation is no longer optional. “Technology-enabled competency-based education is strategic,” Aginiwe said, pointing to countries such as Singapore, Estonia and South Korea, which have invested heavily in digital education and skills-based learning and now rank highly in global innovation and education indices.

Historically, Tanzania’s efforts to integrate information and communication technology into education have been fragmented. However, progress has been recorded in recent years.

In 2020, the government equipped 1,696 primary schools with science and ICT facilities and provided ICT training to trainee teachers at primary education colleges. By 2023, primary schools nationwide were reported to have 17,700 desktop computers and 10,384 laptops, with a majority connected to the national electricity grid.

While the ambition is clear, the long-term success of such initiatives will depend on infrastructure readiness, teacher training, affordability, and sustained public-private collaboration. For Tanzania, the question is not only whether technology can improve classrooms, but how inclusively and equitably that transformation can be implemented nationwide.

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Dar es Salaam. In a decisive move to redefine the economic foundations of Tanzanian football, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has launched a landmark initiative to formally value its football assets, positioning the sport as an investment-ready enterprise rather than a donor-dependent activity.

Under the leadership of TFF president Wallace Karia, the federation has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Citadel Tanzania Limited, a private limited liability company, to oversee the auction of exclusive betting rights linked to Tanzanian football competitions. For the first time, Citadel Tanzania Limited will also partner with a licensed stockbroker to conduct a comprehensive valuation of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League and other domestic competitions.

The exercise is intended to establish the league’s true market value and open the door to capital market participation, credible investors, and sustainable commercial growth. Information obtained by The Citizen indicates that this initiative represents a fundamental shift in football governance, signalling TFF’s intention to integrate the sport into modern capital markets and adopt commercial practices consistent with global football economies.

Scope of the valuation exercise The valuation exercise will extend beyond the Tanzania Mainland Premier League. Citadel Tanzania Limited will conduct auctions for betting rights covering the Federation Cup, the Tanzania Women’s Premier League, the Championship League, and all matches involving national teams, including Taifa Stars, as well as other TFF-sanctioned competitions.

According to the framework, the auction process will commence only after the completion of a comprehensive valuation of TFF’s football assets. The exercise will be conducted by Citadel Tanzania in collaboration with a licensed stockbroker, ensuring that the process adheres to financial market standards and regulatory requirements.

The objective is to establish the true economic worth of Tanzanian football properties, including betting rights, media content, competition data, and commercial associations. These valuations will then serve as a reference point for engaging investors, broadcasters, sponsors, and other commercial partners.

A shift from survival to sustainability For decades, Tanzanian football has relied heavily on infrequent sponsorships. While these sources have offered short-term relief, they have often been unpredictable and insufficient to sustain long-term development.

TFF’s new approach replaces uncertainty with structure. By assigning clear and defensible market values to football asasets, the federation is repositioning the sport as a commercially viable ecosystem capable of generating predictable revenue streams.

TFF under president Karia has emphasised that recognising the economic value of football assets allows stakeholders to determine the true worth of media rights, including exclusive betting rights, rather than negotiating from a position of guesswork or urgency. This professional valuation model aligns Tanzanian football with international best practices, where leagues and federations treat football rights as strategic assets that can be monetised responsibly to support growth.

Unlocking sustainable revenue streams At the core of TFF’s strategy is the understanding that football assets are not merely sporting properties but economic instruments. Through signed Mou, media content, official match data, and betting rights have intrinsic value that can be leveraged to create stable, scalable, and long-term income.

These revenues are expected to support key areas such as domestic league operations, national team preparations, youth development programmes, refereeing systems, women’s football, and infrastructure development. Over time, this structured financial model aims to reduce dependence on external funding and create a self-sustaining football economy.

Beyond revenue generation, valuation will strengthens TFF’s negotiating position. Historically, commercial agreements were often influenced by limited market knowledge, leaving football bodies vulnerable to undervaluation.

With professionally assessed assets, negotiations with broadcasters, sponsors, and partners will now be grounded in objective market data. This shift reduces the risk of short-term, low-value deals and promotes long-term partnerships that align with the federation’s development objectives.

Asset valuation is not only a financial exercise; it is also a governance instrument. By linking commercial decisions to measurable economic benchmarks, TFF is introducing greater transparency and accountability into football administration.

Decisions regarding rights allocation, pricing, and contract duration can now be justified using clear valuation criteria rather than discretionary judgment. This is particularly critical in sensitive areas such as betting, where regulatory oversight, public trust, and sporting integrity are paramount.

The introduction of competitive mechanisms, including auctions, reduces opportunities for favoritism and establishes a clear audit trail. The governance framework strengthens confidence among clubs, supporters, regulators, and investors, all of whom benefit from predictable and transparent systems.

The betting rights auction model A central pillar of TFF’s strategy is the auction of betting rights through a transparent and competitive process. Betting rights relate to the regulated commercial use of official fixtures, competition data, and odds compilation by licensed betting operators.

Importantly, the auction does not grant betting licences. Licensing remains under the authority of the Gaming Board of Tanzania.

Instead, the auction grants commercial rights to use TFF competitions for betting purposes within existing legal and regulatory frameworks. By adopting an auction model, TFF and Citadel Tanzania Limited will ensure compliance with the Fair Competition Act, which promotes open and non-discriminatory participation.

All eligible licensed betting firms will be invited to bid, ensuring fairness and value for money. “This approach also creates a documented process that can be audited, reinforcing public confidence in both football governance and betting regulation,” said the source.

Reserve price and market validation The auction framework introduces a reserve price of Sh50 billion, representing TFF’s minimum acceptable valuation for betting rights. While the figure has generated debate, it reflects the rapid expansion of Tanzania’s betting industry and the increasing tax revenues collected from the sector.

Crucially, the final value will be determined by competitive bidding. This allows market forces to validate or challenge TFF’s valuation assumptions, providing an objective benchmark for future negotiations and contracts.

Regardless of the final figure, the process itself establishes a transparent reference point that replaces speculation with measurable outcomes. Betting rights versus sponsorship rights One of the key clarifications within the auction framework is the distinction between betting rights and sponsorship rights.

Betting rights relate strictly to odds, official data, and authorised betting activities linked to competitions. Sponsorship rights, such as shirt branding, stadium advertising, and club partnerships, remain under the control of individual clubs or leagues.

This separation ensures that clubs retain their commercial autonomy while betting rights are centrally managed to protect competition integrity. By clearly delineating these categories, TFF safeguards club revenues while maintaining oversight of betting-related activities at the federation level.

Exclusivity and integrity TFF and Citadel Tanzania Limited have planned to grant betting rights to a single official partner for a defined period, making exclusivity a core feature of the auction. While exclusivity can be perceived as restrictive, it is primarily intended to enhance integrity and monitoring.

Working with one authorised partner allows TFF to track betting patterns more effectively, identify suspicious activity, and implement anti-match-fixing measures. Similar models are used in several international leagues where controlled data access is essential for protecting competition integrity.

Revenue allocation and public accountability The success of the valuation and auction process will ultimately be judged not only by the revenue generated but by how those funds are utilised. Stakeholders will expect betting-related income to be reinvested into football development initiatives rather than absorbed by administrative costs.

Priority areas include grassroots football, youth academies, women’s football, refereeing development, and infrastructure upgrades. Transparent reporting on revenue allocation will be essential to maintaining public trust and demonstrating that commercial gains translate into tangible improvements on and off the pitch.

A new chapter for Tanzanian footbal TFF’s decision to formally value football assets signals the opening of a new chapter in the history of Tanzanian football. By integrating the game with capital markets and adopting professional valuation standards, the federation is laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth, stronger governance, and renewed investor confidence.

If effectively implemented, this initiative has the potential to reshape how football is financed and managed in the country, shifting it away from subsidy dependence toward a structured, transparent, and commercially resilient industry capable of supporting long-term development. .

The Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam has recently been in the headlines, chiefly because Her Excellency the President opened it after extensive repairs of the damage caused by a fire almost five years ago, in July 2021. Kariakoo has a long history behind it, dating to the pre-colonial days, when it did not even carry that name. Various pre-colonial documents show the current Kariakoo, including Ilala, as being a Sultan’s Shamba, on which slaves worked.

One Schoeller, a German land speculator, had purchased 213 hectares in Kariakoo and was planting palm trees and renting part of the area to natives, charging them rent. Many local people, known then as natives, settled haphazardly on this land.

The German government wanted a planned, but segregated town, so many natives were being moved from the city centre to Kariakoo. New arrivals from the rural areas also settled in Kariakoo.

The government planned the area in a grid pattern, and planned for a neutral zone (the current Mnazi Mmoja open space) to separate natives from Europeans and Indians. Non-natives were not allowed to reside in the native area, excepts for carrying business there.

Before the modern market, the site featured a steel-structured building used by both German and British forces. The German constructed it as both an exhibition area and a market.

After the British conquered Dar es Salaam, in 1916, the structure was converted into a military depot where porters were recruited and commissioned. In order to deliver supplies to the frontline soldiers, the British had established the Military Labour Bureau, which was later renamed the Carrier Corps (Porter soldiers).

Recruitment of the porters was from the British own colonies of Kenya, Nyasaland, Uganda and Northern Rhodesia but also from German and Portuguese East Africa and the Belgian Congo. It is estimated that some 95,000 porters died on duty, as a result of diseases, heavy loads and long distances.

After the war, the Carrier Corps depot was converted into a central market for Dar es Salaam in 1923. However, the name Kariakoo (from Carrier Corps) had taken hold, and there were other Kariakoo Depots in Nairobi, Voi and Mombasa, in Kenya. A decade into Independence, the government embarked on establishing a modern market.

Designed by Israel-trained Tanzanian architect Beda Amuli, it aimed as reflecting a traditional village market where people would sit and trade under a mango tree. This concept is very much studied by future architects.

The current, iconic, multi-story Kariakoo market structure was built in the 1970s, officially opening in 1975 to accommodate the growing commerce in the area. Kariakoo has been at the central psyche of the nation, highly prized by various Leaders.

Today, Kariakoo remains the largest market in Tanzania, serving as a vital commercial hub not just for Tanzania, but also for neighbouring countries. However, it retains its name from its WWI military history.

Land values in Kariakoo, are among the highest in the country, and are now reflected in every building from the past days, being converted into multi-story structures. Sometimes, these structures do not follow safety regulations.

Fire outbreak, and structural failure have taken place in Kariakoo in recent years. Overcrowding on the streets by informal traders is a major challenge.

At one time in the past, Kariakoo was considered to be the secondary CBD of Dar es Salaam; the primary one being in the city centre areas. This has now changed.

Kariakoo is the primary business centre of the city. In order to keep the Kariakoo market modern the government has poured billions of shillings, into this structure, enjoining users to look after this national treasure.

As we celebrate Kariakoo being an international market, we need also to contemplate the fate of the men and women who gave name to this area, and this market. Are there any people who associate themselves with those porters who were part of the British army during the first world war? This may be realized by constructing three monuments around the market.

The first monument should reflect the resources that have gone into this market. The second monument, preferably of Tanzanian renowned architect Beda Amuli, would reflect indigenous thinking reflected in the building’s architecture.

The third one, would reflect the Carrier Corps, the porters who gave name to the area. I understand that the Askari Monument has, on its side, a carving of native porters.

This is not adequate. Future generations must be reminded of these porters, who served under the British government.

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J. Cole’s The Fall-Off opens a reflective chapter in hip-hop, revisiting the long-standing rivalry between 2Pac and The Notorious B.

I.G.

and imagining a truce that history never delivered. The deaths of 2Pac and The Notorious B.

I.G.

remain among hip-hop’s deepest scars, moments that shaped not only a genre, but generations of artistes who followed. Decades later, their unresolved rivalry has once again become a point of reflection, this time through music.

That reflection sits at the centre of ‘The Fall-Off’, the newly released project by J Cole. On one of the album’s most talked-about tracks, ‘What If; Cole imagines a world in which the two icons put aside suspicion and conflict, choosing reconciliation over rivalry.

The song unfolds as a lyrical exchange, with Cole writing from the perspectives of both artistes. From Biggie’s voice, he explores guilt, misunderstanding and loss, while from Pac’s point of view he captures the paranoia and anger that defined the rapper’s final years before imagining an emotional truce.

The track avoids glorifying conflict, instead framing it as a lesson on ego, miscommunication and the cost of unresolved pain. Sonically, the record leans into dark, cinematic production reminiscent of classic West Coast hip-hop, grounding its heavy subject matter in atmosphere rather than spectacle.

It is a creative risk that has resonated with listeners, positioning Cole not as a provocateur, but as a thoughtful observer of hip-hop history. The Fall-Off, Cole’s eighth studio album, arrives as a double-disc release with 24 tracks, and is widely viewed as one of his most reflective bodies of work.

Rather than chasing trends, the album leans heavily on introspection, legacy and personal growth. Guest appearances are spread across both discs, with contributions from Future, Erykah Badu, Burna Boy, Tems and Petey Pablo, each adding texture without overshadowing the album’s core narrative.

While the album does not directly revisit Cole’s decision to disengage from a public lyrical clash with Kendrick Lamar, it subtly addresses scrutiny and legacy, suggesting a renewed focus on purpose rather than confrontation. Throughout The Fall-Off, references to hip-hop’s past appear through carefully chosen samples and interpolations, nodding to artistes such as OutKast, Mobb Deep, DMX and Boosie Badazz.

These moments give the album the feel of a curated archive, tracing the sounds and stories that shaped Cole’s journey. With The Fall-Off, J.

Cole delivers a project rooted in reflection rather than rivalry. By placing 2Pac and Biggie at the emotional core of the album, he turns one of hip-hop’s greatest tragedies into a meditation on maturity, accountability and the possibility of peace even if only imagined.

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Arusha. Community Development, Gender and Special Groups Minister, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, has called on traditional leaders to spearhead efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM).

She made the call on Thursday, February 12, 2026, during commemorations of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM in Losirwa Village, Monduli District, Arusha Region, which coincided with the launch of a five-year national anti-FGM strategy. According to the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey, the prevalence of FGM among women and girls aged 15 to 45 has declined by 10 percent.

However, Arusha and Manyara regions record the highest rates at 43 percent, followed by Mara (28 percent), Singida (20 percent), Tanga (19 percent), Dodoma (18 percent), and Iringa (12 percent). “FGM is a gross violation of the rights of women and girls.

We must not continue traditions that undermine women’s dignity and deny them a fulfilling married life,” she said. She urged parents not to succumb to social pressure but to protect their daughters.

She also encouraged trained traditional circumcisers to educate others and join entrepreneurship groups to access affordable loans instead of relying on income derived from FGM. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Assistant Resident Representative, Dr Majaliwa Marwa, said the agency stands with the government in combating FGM, describing the fight as a collective responsibility.

He said FGM complicates childbirth, increases the risk of infection, and causes lasting psychological trauma. Eliminating FGM, he said, is both a moral and human rights imperative, as well as a critical investment in future generations.

C-Sema Lake Zone Coordinator, Ms Jane Haule, said civil society organisations are implementing the national action plan to protect women and girls from FGM, which is prohibited under the Child Act No 13, prescribing imprisonment of five to 15 years and/or a fine of Sh2 million. Youth advocate, Mr Godson Loivuko, said Maasai youth have resolved to marry uncircumcised girls in an effort to challenge harmful norms that stigmatise them as children.

The ministry’s launch of the five-year strategy to end FGM in Tanzania comes amid a three-month investigation (OctoberDecember 2025) in Mara Region, which revealed that genital tissue from FGM is being illegally traded, generating income for practitioners and complicating efforts to combat the practice. .