Category: The Citizen

We’ve before us a January 10 copy of Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet, whose Page 2 is carrying a story entitled, ‘Kairuki issues ultimatum on personal data registration.’ Reporting on an order by Minister for Communication and Information Technology Angellah Kairuki, our scribbling colleague writes: “In a STRONG directive, Kairuki instructed the Personal Data Protection Commission to begin preparations immediately for compliance audits across the country.

” A strong directive? How do we measure the strength of a directive? At the expense of being accused of fussiness, we aver to say that using the adjective “strong” to define a directive is least appropriate–rather incredulous! When a minister issues an order, we don’t need to excessively qualify it. Calling it, simply, a directive, would be good enough! However, if you consider it necessary to add weight to the Honourable Minister’s order, we’d suggest his sentence to read thus: “In a STRONGLY WORDED directive, Kairuki instructed the Personal Data Protection Commission to” Page 5 of the broadsheet is filled with an assortment of pictures, one of which has a caption written thus: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya receives A QUR’AN from the Amir and Chief Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Tanzania, Sheikh Khawaja Muzaffar Ahmad, in Dar es Salaam recently” A Qur’an? Oh, no! Why, because there’s only one Qur’an–THE QUR’AN–which is the book comprising messages from Allah Himself as revealed to His Prophet, Muhammad (peace be unto him–PHUH).

Which is to say, what the Amir presented to Minister Millya is A COPY of the Qur’an. Yes, just like one could be gifted with, not a Bible, but A COPY of the Bible.

And now, a look at Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Friday, January 16, whose Page 2 has a story whose headline reads, ‘Kilimanjaro due to welcome some 30,000 Form One students this year.’ In Para 2, the scribbler writes: “The Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, said he conducted inspections across the region from January 5 to 10, 2026 to personally verify” January 5 to 10, 2026? Telling the dates 5 to 10 are those of 2026 suggests that the scribbler doesn’t want his readers to imagine he’s talking of an inspection that took place in January 2025! It’s sheer waste of print paper space–or, an underestimation of our readers’ intelligence! In Para 5, the scribbler reports further on what RC Babu said in regard to this year’s Form One in Kilimanjaro schools: “He also directed ward education coordinators to hold preparatory meetings for school openings and to plan the RECEPTION of new students.

” Reception of new students? Well, wellwe aver our colleague set out to say: “ADMISSION of new students.” In the last para-but three, the scribbler writes: “In Moshi municipality, parents were OBSERVED accompanying children to school with FULL school SUPPLIES, signaling strong community engagement” Duh! Let’s not fuss and simply provide a rewrite: “In Moshi municipality, parents were SEEN accompanying children to school with ALL THEIR school REQUIREMENTS” Finally, a gem from the huge Nairobi tabloid that commands a sizeable readership in Bongo.

Deep inside its LifeStyle pullout, there’s a story entitled, ‘We took what the thieves left behind and changed our lives.’ In the first paragraph of the last column of the interesting human-interest story, the scribbler reports: “As time went by, a homeless person noticed there were people living within the church compound and decided to BORROW food.

” Borrow food? A-a! Things you borrow are only those belonging to someone else which you take and use with the intention of returning them. Food can’t be one of such things.

We BEG FOR food when we’re starving and have no money to buy the same. You borrow someone’s car when yours has broken down.

Ah, this treacherous language called English! Send your photos and linguistic gems to email [email protected] or WhatsApp on Tel No 0688315580 .

London/Washington. The United States’ recent control over Venezuela’s oil exports has complicated the country’s debt payments to China, raising the prospect of a major showdown between the two global powers and further challenging Venezuela’s path out of default.

About a tenth of Venezuela’s $150 billion foreign debt is owed to China, which had been repaid partly through oil shipments. That arrangement has been disrupted after U.

S. authorities took control of the country’s oil revenue earlier this month.

Debt experts warn that any dispute between Washington and Beijing over the payments could make it harder for Venezuela to restructure its debt following its 2017 default, and may affect China’s willingness to cooperate in other debt restructuring deals in developing countries. “Even under the best circumstances, disentangling creditors in Venezuela has always been messy,” said Christopher Hodge, chief economist at Natixis and former U.

S. Treasury official.

“Now with the U.S.

controlling the finances flowing into and out of the country, the situation is unprecedented.” Currently, the U.

S. only controls proceeds from oil sales, but those revenues remain Venezuela’s main source of income.

State-run oil company PDVSA documents show that, over the past five years, oil shipments to China helped service interest payments under a temporary 2019 agreement. The Trump administration has redirected these proceeds to a Qatar-based account controlled by Washington, giving the U.

S. potential leverage over which creditors are paid and when.

The U.S.

says China can still buy Venezuelan oil, but not at the discounted rates Caracas previously offered. China has condemned the redirection of Venezuela’s oil, insisting that the “legitimate rights and interests” of China and other countries in Venezuela be respected.

A White House spokeswoman said the deal would benefit both the American and Venezuelan people. Debt specialists warn that U.

S. control over oil revenues could disrupt the normal hierarchy of creditors, complicating any debt restructuring.

Venezuela needs an agreement with creditors to resume borrowing and attract investment after its bonds defaulted in 2017. “If the U.S.

pushes China to accept major write-downs and Beijing resists, restructuring could be delayed and Venezuela’s economic recovery further jeopardized,” said Jean-Charles Sambor, head of emerging market debt at TT International. China, the world’s largest bilateral lender to developing nations, could respond by withholding cooperation in future international debt restructuring programs until it feels fairly treated in Venezuela.

Experts say such a move would have significant global implications. .

Dar es Salaam. The High Court for Economic Crimes and Corruption Offences Division has sentenced a Nigerian national, Mr David Kanayo Chukwu, to 28 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to participating in the trafficking of 268.50 kilogrammes of heroin.

Mr Chukwu, 28, was the first accused among three suspects in the case. The verdict was delivered on January 22, 2026, by Magistrate Otaru Joachimu.

In passing sentence, the court took into account the five years and nine months the convict had already spent in remand since his arrest in 2020. Consequently, he will serve the remaining 22 years and three months to complete his sentence. Meanwhile, the court acquitted the third accused, Mr Alistair Amon Mbele, after the prosecution failed to prove its case against him.

The ruling was made in Case Number DCEA/IR/06/2020 ECO 36/2020, involving Mr David Kanayo Chukwu (Nigerian), Mr Isso Lomward Lupembe (Tanzanian) and Mr Alistair Amon Mbele (Tanzanian). The second accused, Mr Lupembe, is still facing trial after denying the charges against him.

His case remains pending before the same court. The court further directed that asset forfeiture proceedings related to the suspects’ properties be concluded within one year from the date of the judgement.

According to the prosecution, the three suspects were arrested in 2020 by officers from the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) in the Mbezi “Kibanda cha Mkaa” area. They were accused of trafficking 268.50 kilogrammes of heroin.

The case has been adjourned to February 23, 2026, for further hearing. .

Moshi. The government has urged the College of Business Education (CBE) to prioritise the development of innovative and highly skilled professionals for Tanzania’s tourism sector through its planned new campus in Moshi District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The call was made on January 21, 2026, by Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Dennis Londo, during an inspection visit to the site designated for the CBE Moshi Campus, which is expected to serve the northern zone. “We want CBE in this region to become a centre for producing experts who add value to the tourism sector, not only as employees but also as entrepreneurs and innovators in tourism-related ventures,” Mr Londo said.

He noted that the campus is expected to address both professional and structural challenges facing the tourism industry by equipping students with practical, market-oriented skills. “Students will be trained in tourism business management, entrepreneurship, tourism marketing, hospitality management and service excellence,” he said.

Mr Londo added that the initiative will enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy, noting that the sector remains one of Tanzania’s leading sources of revenue and employment. CBE Principal, Professor Edda Tandi Lwoga, said the Moshi campus will be the institution’s fifth nationwide and will significantly expand enrolment capacity.

“The college currently has 24,657 students, and once completed, the Moshi campus is expected to enrol more than 2,000 additional students,” she said. On implementation, Professor Lwoga said the design phase for three core buildings is already underway and is scheduled for completion by March 2026 at a cost of Sh174 million.

“The first phase of construction will comprise classrooms with capacity for 2,000 students, a three-star training hotel with 52 guest rooms, and student hostels,” she said. She added that the campus will operate as a Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality, providing specialised training aligned with business and investment opportunities in the northern tourism circuit.

The project, funded by the World Bank through the Higher Education Transformation Project, is valued at Sh17.4 billion. Construction is expected to commence later in 2026 following the completion of financial and procedural requirements, including the tendering process.

Hai District Commissioner, Mr Hassan Bomboko, welcomed the decision to establish the campus in the district and called for the project to be expedited. “Local communities will benefit from the construction phase through food supply and service businesses, and even more once the campus becomes operational,” he said.

He urged authorities to fast-track implementation so that residents who contributed land for the project can begin to realise tangible benefits. .

Dar es Salaam. Actor and Halotel Brand Ambassador Idriss Sultan has urged young people to use social media responsibly and productively, describing digital platforms as a vital avenue for economic empowerment and online business growth.

Speaking to journalists, Idriss said the internet has moved far beyond entertainment and now functions as a global marketplace that offers direct access to customers without the need for a physical shop. He emphasised that young people who apply creativity and use technology strategically can generate sustainable income through digital platforms.

He added that the internet should be regarded as an essential tool for wealth creation, particularly at a time when digital skills increasingly determine economic opportunities. His remarks come amid rapid digital expansion in Tanzania.

According to the latest Communications Statistics Report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), internet subscriptions reached 56.3 million by September 2025, raising national internet penetration to 82.6 per cent. The growth has been driven by expanded mobile broadband coverage, more affordable data packages and increased smartphone use.

TCRA data further shows that total mobile subscriptions for voice and data services exceeded 99 million, highlighting the central role of connectivity in everyday life. Social media usage continues to rise sharply.

Between late 2024 and early 2025, TikTok ranked as the third-highest platform by data consumption, with users in Tanzania recording 33.57 million gigabytes in a single quarter. This reflects the platform’s shift from entertainment to a space for business, information sharing and content discovery.

Globally, platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook remain among the most widely used applications, while WhatsApp continues to dominate daily communication across Africa. In Tanzania, TikTok’s growing influence was reinforced in December 2025 when local creators received recognition at the TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards for content that showcased Tanzanian culture to international audiences.

Halotel Head of Communications, Ms Roxana Kadio, said the company acknowledges the rising demand for fast and reliable internet services. She noted that Halotel remains committed to delivering high-quality connectivity aligned with global technological standards, as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen communication and support Tanzania’s digital development.

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Dar es Salaam. Two men have appeared before the Temeke District Court charged with trafficking 20.03 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs allegedly concealed in a passenger bus operated by King Masai Tours.

The accused, Amasha Iddi Mrisho (40), a resident of Buza, and Seleman Juma Ally (32), a Mozambican national, were arraigned on January 22, 2026, to answer charges relating to the transportation of skunk, a form of cannabis. Reading the preliminary charge before the court, State Attorney Nicas Kihembe told the Resident Magistrate that the suspects were arrested on December 8, 2025, at the Wailes area in Temeke, following an operation conducted by officers from the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) targeting drug trafficking activities.

According to the prosecution, officers seized 20 packets of skunk weighing a total of 20.03 kilogrammes. The drugs were allegedly concealed inside a bale of second-hand clothes and hidden in a Scania passenger bus belonging to King Masai Tours.

The bus, bearing Mozambican registration number AAM 297 CA, was reportedly being used to transport the illicit drugs. The court was further informed that the accused are charged under Section 16(1) of the Drug Control and Enforcement Act, which prohibits the possession, transportation and trade of narcotic drugs in Tanzania.

The prosecution stated that the offence is not bailable due to the large quantity of drugs involved. State Attorney Kihembe added that investigations in Case Number 1535 of 2026 are ongoing and that witnesses will be presented on a date to be set by the court.

The case was adjourned to February 5, 2026, and both accused were remanded in custody. .

Dar es Salaam. A total of 16 golf coaches in Tanzania have completed specialised training aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to coach young and emerging players across the country.

The training, conducted under the Community Golf Instructor (CGI) programme, was delivered by international instructors from RandA in collaboration with the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) and The Peninsula Club. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the development of golf in Tanzania, particularly at grassroots, community, and youth levels.

The CGI programme is designed to build capacity among local instructors, coaches, and golf development officers, enabling them to introduce and grow the game in a structured, safe, and professional manner. By focusing on community-based coaching, the programme seeks to widen access to golf and create sustainable pathways for young players to develop their talents from an early age.

Speaking during the training, TGU Operations Manager Johnson John said the programme was being hosted at The Peninsula Club, a venue that has consistently proven to be a key strategic partner in the Union’s golf development initiatives. He noted that the club has played a significant role in supporting TGU’s vision of expanding and professionalising golf in Tanzania.

John explained that through this collaboration, TGU and its partners are enhancing the technical and instructional capacity of Tanzanian coaches by aligning their training with internationally recognised standards set by RandA. “This partnership between TGU, The Peninsula Club and the RandA reflects our shared commitment to developing golf in a sustainable, inclusive and long-term manner,” John said.

“The CGI programme is a vital tool in ensuring that golf is taught with professionalism, safety and a clear focus on nurturing the next generation of players.” He added that investing in coach education is a cornerstone of long-term sports development, as well-trained instructors are essential in identifying talent, maintaining high coaching standards, and promoting the core values of the game.

On his part, international instructor Pete Forster expressed his satisfaction with the progress Tanzania has made in golf development and voiced strong confidence that the CGI training would help expand the reach of the sport nationwide. “Tanzania has a lot of golf talent,” Forster said.

“These talents need to be properly developed to achieve the highest possible level and to compete internationally. Through this training, many young players will benefit from the knowledge and skills of these 16 trained coaches.

I am truly encouraged by what I have seen.” Forster was joined by fellow international instructors Alex Macgregor and Vincent Wang’ombe, who also played key roles in delivering both theoretical and practical components of the training.

The sessions covered modern coaching techniques, safety principles, junior golf development, and effective ways of introducing golf to beginners in community settings. One of the participants, Angel Eaton–Tanzania’s only professional female golfer–said the training had significantly enhanced her coaching knowledge and approach.

She explained that the programme exposed participants to modern and effective coaching methods that are essential for the growth of the game. “Like other sports, golf continues to evolve and now relies on modern coaching approaches,” Eaton said.

“We are grateful to TGU, RandA and the Peninsula Club for making this training possible, as it will help us contribute more effectively to the development of golf in Tanzania.” Fellow professional golfer Salum Dilunga said the CGI programme would enable coaches to reach more communities and uncover additional talent across the country.

He noted that the training had equipped them with the tools needed to introduce golf to new audiences, particularly young people who may not have previously had access to the sport. Another participant, Geofrey Leverian, used the opportunity to call on parents to allow and encourage their children to take up golf.

He stressed that the game offers not only sporting opportunities but also life skills such as discipline, integrity and respect. The programme concluded with practical demonstrations led by The RandA instructor Alex Macgregor, who guided local professional and licensed coaches through hands-on coaching exercises.

Stakeholders believe the CGI training will have a lasting impact by creating a strong network of qualified community instructors capable of driving sustainable golf development across Tanzania. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s swimming journey to the world stage has taken a huge step forward after the Tanzania National Club Swimming Championships were officially approved by World Aquatics as a qualifying meet for the World Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships (25m), set for Beijing, China, in December 2026. The Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) confirmed that the championships will be held on April 11 and 12, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, as indicated in the federation’s annual calendar.

With this endorsement, Tanzanian swimmers will have a rare and valuable advantage as they can now chase World Aquatics “A” and “B” qualifying times on home soil. For many clubs and athletes, this removes the financial strain of travelling abroad for qualification meets and creates a realistic route to compete among the world’s best.

More than just a national title race, the National Club Championships are expected to attract swimmers from across the country and serve as one of the most important assessment platforms in Tanzanian swimming. The competition is widely viewed as the season’s biggest domestic benchmark, offering coaches and selectors a clear picture of swimmers’ technical quality, endurance levels and overall race sharpness ahead of a demanding year.

The significance of the event goes beyond Beijing qualification, with Tanzania also targeting key regional and international assignments such as the World Aquatics Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Youth Olympic Games, and the long-term mission of building a stronger pathway toward Olympic participation. TSA’s 2026 calendar is structured to ensure athletes build form steadily toward the national championships.

The season will begin in February with the Taliss-IST Invitational Swimming Championships scheduled for February 1415, followed by an Officials Clinic on February 28, aimed at raising technical officiating standards nationwide. Competitive momentum will then build through the MSC Invitational Meet in Mwanza from March 2728, offering swimmers an early test before the national spotlight turns to Dar es Salaam.

Immediately after the National Club Championships, attention will shift to the East Africa Development Gala on April 1819 in Dar es Salaam. From there, elite swimmers will head to Ghana for the Africa Aquatics Junior and Senior Championships running from April 26 to May 4, an important opportunity for Tanzanian athletes to gain international exposure and measure themselves against the continent’s leading performers.

Talent development remains at the heart of TSA’s programme, highlighted by the East Africa camp (May 414) organised in collaboration with Monti Aquaforce. This will be followed by several key local competitions, including the FK Bluemarlin Invitational Gala (May 1617) and two editions of the Swahili Talent Swimming Gala set for May 2324 and May 3031, designed to nurture and sharpen emerging swimmers.

The calendar stays intense into June with the Tanzania National Junior Championships (June 67) and the CR/Pepsi Sprint Meet (June 1314) for swimmers aged 12 and above. Tanzania will then enter the global spotlight again through participation at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland (July 23 August 2), with another Swahili Talent Swimming Gala scheduled for August 3031. The season will peak later in the year with the Tanzania National Open Championships (September 1213), followed by the Milleston Development Gala (September 19) and the CR Development Gala (October 34).

Tanzanian swimmers are also expected to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar (October 31 November 13) before the ultimate global test at the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Beijing (December 16). The year will conclude with the East Africa Swimming Awards on December 9, celebrating outstanding performances and reinforcing TSA’s growing ambition of pushing Tanzanian swimming onto the international stage.

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Nairobi. Uganda’s military chief has said authorities have detained about 2,000 opposition supporters and killed 30 others following a disputed presidential election that handed President Yoweri Museveni a seventh term in office.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Museveni, made the claims in a series of posts on his X (formerly Twitter) account late Thursday. President Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, was declared the winner of the January 15 election, defeating opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The vote was conducted during an internet shutdown. Bobi Wine rejected the results, alleging widespread irregularities, including ballot stuffing, and has since gone into hiding.

In his posts, Gen Kainerugaba said security forces had arrested thousands of NUP supporters and described those targeted as “terrorists”. “So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists,” he wrote, without providing details on how the deaths occurred.

In another post, he said most opposition leaders were in hiding and that security agencies were pursuing them. The government has accused Bobi Wine’s supporters of instigating violence during and after the election.

However, the opposition maintains that its members were attacked by security forces. Independent verification of the claims has not been possible.

Police declined to comment further on the situation, while the army spokesperson could not be reached. The United Nations has expressed concern over the arrests and reports of violence.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint and respect for the rule of law and Uganda’s international human rights obligations, according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. Bobi Wine has previously alleged that hundreds of his supporters have been illegally detained in recent months because of their political affiliation, accusing authorities of using intimidation to suppress dissent.

Opposition parties and human rights activists claim some detainees are being held in unofficial detention centres where torture is reported to occur. The crackdown has intensified with the recent arrest of Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker and Bobi Wine’s deputy in the NUP.

Two other senior party officials have reportedly been missing for several days. Bobi Wine, 43, said he fled his home after security personnel allegedly raided his residence shortly after the election.

President Museveni is widely believed to be grooming Gen Kainerugaba as his successor. The army chief has previously expressed interest in running for the presidency.

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Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania’s leading opposition party, Chadema, marked 33 years since its founding on January 21, it has described itself as a breeding ground for leaders who later go on to serve in government.

Chadema was registered in 1992, a few months after the reintroduction of multiparty politics during the Second Phase Government, a period characterised by major political and economic reforms. Over the years, the party has grown steadily to become the country’s main opposition force and has produced the largest number of opposition Members of Parliament.

Beyond Parliament, Chadema has also produced leaders who later crossed over to the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and were subsequently appointed to senior government positions, including ministers, deputy ministers, district commissioners and other public officials. Such appointments have been made under different administrations, including during the Fifth Phase Government led by the late President John Magufuli.

Under the Sixth Phase Government, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed three former Chadema members as ministers and three others as deputy ministers, a move seen by observers as reflecting confidence in their leadership abilities. Former Chadema members currently serving as ministers are Prof Kitila Mkumbo (Planning and Investment), Mr Patrobas Katambi (Home Affairs) and Mr Joel Nanauka (President’s Office Youth).

While in Chadema, Mr Katambi served as chairperson of the party’s youth wing, Bavicha, Prof Mkumbo was a member of the Central Committee, and Mr Nanauka was the party’s parliamentary candidate for Mtwara Urban during the 2015 General Election. Former Chadema members now serving as deputy ministers include Mr James Ole Millya (Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation), Ms Salome Makamba (Energy) and Mr David Silinde (Agriculture).

Others who previously served as deputy ministers include Dr Godwin Mollel (Health), Mr Mwita Waitara (Regional Administration and Local Government), Ms Juliana Shonza (Information, Arts, Culture and Sports) and Ms Pauline Gekul (Constitutional and Legal Affairs). Dr Mollel is currently the Member of Parliament for Siha, Mr Waitara represents Tarime Rural, while Ms Shonza is a Special Seats MP.

Several former Chadema leaders have also been appointed district commissioners, representing the President in various districts. They include former party secretary general Dr Vincent Mashinji (Manyoni), former Arusha mayor Mr Kalist Lazaro (Lushoto), former MP Mr Peter Lijualikali (Nkasi) and former Chadema MP Mr Joshua Nassari, who previously served as Magu district commissioner and is now the MP for Arumeru East.

However, Chadema’s Deputy Secretary General for Mainland Tanzania, Mr Amani Golugwa, said the party does not take pride in leaders who abandon its ideology before taking up government appointments elsewhere. He said leaders genuinely shaped by Chadema’s principles would not act in the manner demonstrated by some former members.

“Leadership is about ideology and conviction. Intelligence alone is not enough without firm principles and a clear philosophy.

Those you mention are not people we can take pride in,” Mr Golugwa said. He added that Chadema has produced many leaders through its leadership academy who are capable of serving as ministers.

Mr Golugwa also said the party offers opportunities to university graduates to conduct research, resulting in the production of extensive policy documents and studies. Analysts weigh in Political scientist Dr Richard Mbunda said the primary role of political parties is to nurture leaders, noting that multiparty democracy has expanded opportunities for leadership development.

“Before the introduction of multiparty politics in 1992, CCM dominated leadership grooming. Today, the presence of multiple parties allows for broader participation and talent development,” he said.

He added that Chadema has performed well in identifying and nurturing new leadership talent. Political analyst Mr Samson Sombi said Chadema has played a significant role in grooming politicians, adding that the movement of leaders to other parties reflects their capacity rather than favouritism.

“The presence of former Chadema members in senior government positions demonstrates the quality of political training they received while in the opposition,” he said. However, he noted that one of the party’s key challenges remains retaining its leaders.

Another analyst, Dr Sabatho Nyamsenda, said Chadema’s greatest contribution over its 33 years has been the expansion of democratic space rather than the production of individual leaders. He said the party has played a key role in strengthening public debate, advocating constitutional reforms and enhancing parliamentary oversight.

According to Dr Nyamsenda, Chadema’s leadership under former chairperson Mr Freeman Mbowe strengthened Parliament’s role in holding the government accountable, while under the current leadership of Mr Tundu Lissu the party has adopted a firmer stance on governance reforms. Analyst Mr Tumaini Munale said Chadema’s major achievement has been empowering young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to enter politics and develop leadership skills.

He said the party has emerged as an important platform for nurturing youth leadership while maintaining public trust by consistently addressing citizens’ concerns. .