Category: The Citizen

Kampala. Ugandans voted in a tense national election on Thursday after an often violent campaign and internet shutdown, with President Yoweri Museveni seeking to extend his rule into a fifth decade.

Museveni told reporters after casting his ballot in western Uganda that he expected to win 80% of the vote “if there’s no cheating”, dismissing the prospect of an upset victory by popular singer Bobi Wine. The election is widely seen as a test of the 81-year-old leader’s political strength and ability to avoid the kind of unrest that has rocked neighbours Tanzania and Kenya as speculation mounts about his eventual succession.

He has campaigned on a slogan of “protecting the gains”, vowing to maintain peace and lift Uganda into middle-income status. Wine, who is 43 and nicknamed the “Ghetto President” for his humble origins, has appealed to young people angry about scarce economic opportunities in a country where the average age is just over 16. Voting took place in the capital Kampala amid a heavy police presence.

Some polling stations did not open on time because biometric voter verification machines were not working. Museveni said the cause of this was being looked into.

Casting his ballot in the Kasangati township, Ronald Tenywa, a 45-year-old university researcher, complained that political leaders “cling on for a long time”. “If we vote for someone who cares, things will be better for Uganda,” he said, without specifying for whom he was voting.

The authorities cut internet access across the country on Tuesday to curb what they called misinformation about the election. Many Ugandans turned to an offline messaging app launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.

Hundreds arrested, at least one killed during campaign Security forces have repeatedly opened fire at Wine’s campaign events, killing at least one person and arresting hundreds of his supporters. Museveni’s government has said the security forces’ actions were a justified response to what it called lawless conduct by opposition supporters.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said while voting that Ugandans should protest non-violently if the election is rigged. There were no signs of unrest through the morning.

The United States denounced Museveni’s last election victory in 2021 – when he defeated Wine with 58% of the vote – as neither free nor fair. Similar criticism from U.

S. President Donald Trump’s administration is unlikely after U.

S. diplomats were instructed last July not to comment on the integrity of foreign elections.

Museveni is a strategic partner of the west Besides Wine, six other opposition candidates are challenging Museveni – Africa’s third-longest-ruling head of state. Voters will also choose more than 500 members of parliament.

Polls are due to close at 4:00 p.m.

with results expected to be announced within 48 hours. Museveni came to power at the head of a rebellion in 1986 and has changed the constitution twice to remove age and term limits.

As president, he has positioned Uganda as a strategic partner of Western nations, sending troops to regional hotspots such as Somalia and taking in millions of refugees. Economic growth, traditionally reliant on agriculture and tourism, is widely expected to surge into double digits when crude oil production from fields run by France’s TotalEnergies (TTEF.

PA), opens new tab and China’s CNOOC (600938.SS), opens new tab begins this year. Museveni is widely believed to favour his son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor, but the president has denied grooming him for the role and his status as heir apparent is opposed by some within the ruling party, analysts say.

Juliet Zawedde, an 18-year-old first-time voter in Kampala, said any succession should happen democratically. “In Africa, too many people in government promote their family members,” she said.

“They need to give chances to others.” .

Dar es Salaam. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has entered into a strategic partnership with global events firm Informa Markets to strengthen the organisation of the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) and other flagship health forums across the continent.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today in Addis Ababa reflecting growing demand for coordinated public health leadership in Africa. Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya signed the agreement alongside Informa Markets President for the Middle East, India, Turkiye and Africa, Mr Peter Hall.

The collaboration brings together Africa CDC’s scientific and policy leadership with Informa’s global expertise in large-scale event planning and knowledge services. Dr Kaseya said the partnership would help expand the reach and impact of CPHIA while maintaining Africa CDC’s leadership over the conference’s scientific and strategic direction.

“CPHIA has become a critical forum for African experts and leaders to define the continent’s public health and health security priorities,” he said. “This partnership supports our commitment to African ownership of health agendas while strengthening the quality and sustainability of our convening.

” The statement issued by Africa CDC shows that, Africa CDC will continue to lead the conference’s scientific content and policy direction, aligned with its 20232027 Strategic Plan and the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty agenda. Informa Markets will contribute its experience in delivering large international healthcare exhibitions to enhance the conference’s scale, visibility and global engagement.

Informa Markets, a member of the FTSE 100 Index and organiser of major global healthcare events including the World Health Expo, said the partnership reflects a shared vision for strengthening Africa’s public health ecosystem. Mr Hall said Informa Markets was proud to support the continued growth of CPHIA.

“Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in delivering trusted global healthcare events, we aim to ensure that CPHIA 2026 delivers lasting value for Africa’s public health community,” he said. Since its launch in December 2021, Africa CDC has hosted four editions of CPHIA, bringing together Heads of State, Ministers of Health, researchers, frontline health workers, private-sector leaders and global institutions.

The conference has emerged as the continent’s leading platform for public health dialogue, policy alignment and scientific exchange. The fifth edition CPHIA 2026 is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is expected to attract thousands of delegates from across Africa and beyond.

Africa CDC is a specialized public health agency of the African Union mandated to support member states in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, and controlling disease outbreaks across the continent. .

Recently, on Tuesday January 6, 2026, the Zanzibar President inaugurated the first flyover ever, in Zanzibar, and with this, it is hoped that the long-standing congestion and delays at the ever-busy Mwanakwerekwe junction, have found a solution. A number of flyovers are already operation in the city of Dar es Salaam and several are in the pipeline; all aimed at addressing traffic congestion especially at major junctions.

Besides, some see flyovers as a sign of development, something to be proud of. A colleague and professor of Town Planning used to complain why a large city like Dar es Salaam, with over six million inhabitants, would not have a single flyover.

I am sure that he is happy, now that the City has several of these. The same sense of happiness is reported from Zanzibar.

Nairobi is now boasting of various flyovers, operational and under construction: Ngong Road-Naivasha Road flyover; the T-Mall flyover; Athi River flyover; Dagoreti corner flyover; and others. On March 5 2025, in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially commissioned Phase 1 of the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project.

So, several African countries and city authorities are pinning their hope to solve traffic congestion, on constructing flyovers. Many see these, moreover, as signs of development, as signs of delivering; of solving peoples’ problems in ways that are visible.

Others see them as potential tourist attractions. A flyover is defined as a bridge or elevated road built to allow vehicles to pass over other roads or intersections without stopping.

In American English, a flyover is called an overpass. There are various types of flyovers.

These vary by design, purpose, and material, including straight, curved, T-junction, diamond, cloverleaf (loop), multi-level, and U-turn flyovers, used for grade separation over roads or railways. Common forms are single-level (overpass/underpass) for basic crossings, multi-level/cloverleaf for complex interchanges; and in the form of materials used (steel or concrete).

Flyovers are constructed with the aim of reducing traffic congestion by separating conflicting traffic flows competing to use the road space; by increasing road capacity, and by shortening travel times at busy junctions. There is, however some general agreement that flyovers are only a temporary solution to overall traffic congestion; many times, shifting congestion to other areas or downstream bottlenecks as increased road space encourages more private vehicle use overall, as well as convergence to where the flyover is.

While improving local flow, flyovers can fail to enhance overall network efficiency and sometimes worsen conditions by creating new queues at exit ramps and increasing dependency on private cars, highlighting the need for integrated transport solutions beyond just adding more road space. Indeed, this could be the case in African cities where the road network is highly deficient, which makes drivers to converge where the good roads and flyovers are.

We are beginning to experience queues running up the flyovers, in the city of Dar es Salaam, especially at peak hours. Traffic often builds up on the smaller feeder roads leading to the main flyover junctions, which can cause tailbacks onto the main structure itself or bottleneck the entry or exit points.

To some extent, this is because road traffic is growing faster than road capacity, meaning new infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the number of vehicles on the roads. The Prime Minister is quoted as having noted recently, that car registration in the country was growing at a supersonic speed.

All these cars end up on the road. It has been noted that despite flyover projects, the overall road network still faces challenges.

There are few roads, and even these are many times of poor quality and are poorly networked and maintained. Thus, traffic problems are expected to continue in the absence of comprehensive traffic management solutions.

Flyovers come with a bag of disadvantages, including high construction costs, visual blight, significant noise and air pollution during construction and operation, limited accessibility for pedestrians/cyclists, and potentially creating neglected, unsightly spaces underneath them, which the homeless have found useful to use as shelter. Stakeholder who favour private car ownership are all for more flyovers and highway expansion.

However, there are those who argue that however much is spent on engineering solutions, traffic congestion will continue, as long as private cars are continually added on the roads. The increased capacity is always temporary.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that in many African cities, there is an overall deficiency of good quality and networked roads. Many times, drivers have no alternatives to converging on the good roads that there are.

Instead of more flyovers, the approach could be more ring roads, more feeder roads, constructed with more function and less political expediency in mind. In the long-run, better public transport to encourage car owners to leave them at home, may be the solution.

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Dar es Salaam. After weeks dominated by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the NMB Mapinduzi Cup, attention now decisively returns to the NBC Mainland Tanzania Premier League, where the race for domestic supremacy resumes in earnest.

Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), their eternal rivals Simba SC, ambitious Azam FC and fast-rising Singida Black Stars are all set for demanding league fixtures starting tomorrow, in what promises to be a defining phase of the season. With Caf Champions League matches scheduled for next week, the upcoming league encounters carry added weight.

Beyond the pursuit of points, the fixtures will test squad depth, tactical balance and mental sharpness as coaches seek momentum without overburdening key players. Young Africans (Yanga), the reigning champions, will set the tone as they open their league return against JKT Tanzania tomorrow at 4pm at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam.

Fresh from a congested run of regional and continental matches, the Jangwani giants see this fixture as a chance to reassert their domestic authority. Head coach Pedro Gonaalves is expected to carefully balance rotation and continuity, ensuring his core players regain rhythm while managing fatigue.

Yanga will remain at the same venue next Monday when they face Mashujaa FC, another test that could significantly shape their league momentum before attention shifts back to Africa. Close behind them are Simba SC, who are equally eager to refocus on league business.

The Msimbazi Reds will face Mtibwa Sugar on January 18, kicking off at 4pm at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam. After navigating a demanding schedule packed with high-profile fixtures, Simba’s technical bench has identified this match as a crucial checkpoint.

A convincing performance would not only keep them within touching distance of the leaders but also provide a timely confidence boost ahead of their CAF Champions League assignment, where consistency will be non-negotiable. Azam FC face perhaps the most intense domestic stretch among the contenders.

The Ice Cream Makers will host Coastal Union on Saturday at 7pm at the Azam Complex, before returning to the same venue on January 20 to take on Fountain Gate at 4pm. These back-to-back home fixtures present Azam with an ideal opportunity to harvest maximum points and stabilize their league campaign.

With continental ambitions still very much alive, Azam’s ability to translate home advantage into league success will be under close scrutiny. Meanwhile, Singida Black Stars continue to cement their status as one of the league’s most competitive emerging forces.

They will begin their return to league action tomorrow against Dodoma Jiji FC at 7pm at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, before later facing JKT Tanzania on January 21 at 4pm at the KMC Complex. Singida have shown they can challenge established giants, and these fixtures offer them a valuable platform to underline their credentials before shifting focus to continental duties.

As the NBC Premier League springs back to life, Tanzania’s “big four” know that the margin for error is slim. With Africa looming, the next few days could define not only the domestic title race but also the confidence each side carries onto the continental stage.

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Dar es Salaam. As part of its continued efforts to strengthen workplace unity, promote good health and boost staff morale, CRDB Bank has officially concluded the CRDB Bank Supa Cup 2025 with a grand final held at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha.

The final brought together bank employees from various zones across Tanzania, competing in football and netball in a day marked by intense competition, entertainment and a strong spirit of unity. The event was led by CRDB Bank Group Chief Executive Officer, Abdulmajid Nsekela, with the guest of honour being the Arusha Regional Commissioner, CPA (T) Amos Makalla.

Speaking at the event, CRDB Bank Group CEO Abdulmajid Nsekela said sports are a key pillar of the bank’s strategy to build a strong institution founded on healthy and united people. “Sports are strategic to CRDB Bank.

They are deeply embedded in our policies and work culture. Through these competitions, we build discipline, teamwork and leadership among our employees,” said Nsekela.

On his part, CRDB Bank Director of Human Resources, Godfrey Rutasingwa, said the bank continues to invest in sports because it recognises the strong link between physical health and quality performance. “We believe sports mean health, and good health produces energetic, focused and productive employees.

These are the people who build strong institutions and deliver excellent services to customers,” said Rutasingwa. The Guest of Honour, CPA (T) Amos Makalla, commended CRDB Bank for setting a positive example in valuing its employees and encouraging unity beyond the workplace.

“CRDB Bank has demonstrated the importance of bringing employees together outside their work responsibilities. This gives them an opportunity to relax, strengthen relationships and return to work refreshed and more motivated to perform at a higher level,” said Makalla.

This year’s tournament concluded with thrilling final matches, in which Ulipo Tupo FC (Lake Zone) were crowned football champions, while Popote Inatiki Queens (Central Zone) claimed the netball title. The victories were accompanied by attractive prizes and recognition of outstanding individual performers.

As the sun set over Arusha and the cheers faded, one thing remained clear: CRDB Bank SUPA Cup 2025 was not just a sports competition, but a platform for bringing people together, promoting health, and strengthening a culture of teamwork. The end of this year’s tournament marks the beginning of a new journey, with all eyes now turning to the CRDB Bank SUPA Cup 2026. .

By Katare Mbashiru Dodoma. As the next session of the 13th August House approaches in the administrative capital of Dodoma, the Tanzania Parliament has released a line-up of 17 chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons with two first-time opposition members securing a slot in the crucial oversight roles.

As usual, before the full House kicks off its marathon meetings, members ought to meet for committee sessions that are led by either chairpersons or their deputies. Tuesday this week, the MPs started their committee sessions at parliament offices, where they began by electing leaders of the various committees.

The list availed to the media yesterday shows that the names of some political heavyweights who were leaders of parliamentary committees in the 12th parliament have resurfaced. The list further indicates that opposition parties’ members, Devotha Minja (Special Seats-Chauma) and ACT Wazalendo’s Ado Shaibu (Tunduru North) have been tasked to chair the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC) respectively.

The two committees ought to conduct scrutiny of public and local government spending following reports released by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG). In the previous parliament chairpersons of the two committees were elected from the camp of the official opposition in parliament.

But this is the first time two politicians from different opposition parties are leading these committees. Currently there is no official opposition in the House.

The list indicates that Ms Minja will be assisted by CCM’s Aeshi Hilaly (Sumbawanga-Urban) while Mr Shaibu will have Nanyamba MP, Abdalla Chikota (CCM) as his Vice-Chair. Other committees that were formed include the Committee on Privileges, Ethics and Parliamentary Powers, chaired by Anne Kilango Malecela with Christina Mndeme as Vice-Chairperson.

The Public Investment Committee chaired by Former Director General of the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC)-come politician, Masanja Kadogosa with Douglas Masaburi as Vice-Chairperson. The Committee on Subsidiary Legislation will be led by Cecilia Pareso with Yahya Zuberi as Vice-Chairperson, while the Committee on Governance, Constitution and Legal Affairs has been entrusted to legal experts, with Dr Damas Ndumbaro, the former cabinet minister, as Chairperson and Edwin Swale as Vice-Chairperson.

Mr Mashimba Ndaki has retained his position to chair the Budget Committee, assisted by Ally Hassan King as Vice-Chairperson. Former Deputy Minister for Energy, Subira Mgalu, has been selected to the Energy and Minerals Committee, assisted by Simoni Lusengekile.

Mpanda Member of Parliament Moshi Selemani Kakoso has also retained his position as Chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee, assisted by Abubakari Asenga. The Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS will be chaired by Dr Johannes Lukumay, with Zeyana Abdallah Hamid as Vice-Chairperson.

Another Member of Parliament who has returned to his post is Timotheo Mzava, who continues as Chairperson of the Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism Committee, with Mary Masanja as Vice-Chairperson. The Committee on Education, Culture and Sports will be chaired by Husna Sekiboko, assisted by Cornel Lucas Magembe.

Other committees include the Water and Environment Committee, which has once again been entrusted to Jackson Kiswaga, with the Vice-Chairperson position going to Professor Pius Yanda. The Committee on Social Welfare and Community Development will be chaired by Hawa Mchafu, with Regina Malima as Vice-Chairperson.

Former chairperson of the 12th Parliament, Nagma Giga, has this time been appointed to lead the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, with Dodoma MP Paschal Chinyele as Vice-Chairperson. The Committee on Industry, Trade and Agriculture continues under Deodatus Mwanyika, with Mariam Ditopile returning as Vice-Chairperson.

In the Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities Committee (TAMISEMI), Florence Kyombo has been elected as Chairperson, assisted by Jafari Chege. .

By Katare Mbashiru Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has assured the diplomatic community and other foreign nationals living in Tanzania of their safety as she expressed sympathy over the nationwide internet restrictions imposed during last year’s elections.

The President acknowledged challenges linked to violence that occurred on and after Election Day, insisting, however, that the country’s response was necessary to maintain constitutional order and ensure the safety of all citizens. “To our partners in the diplomatic community and foreigners residing here in Tanzania, I express my sincere sympathy for the uncertainty, service restrictions, and internet shutdown you experienced,” she said.

“I assure you that we will remain vigilant to ensure your safety and prevent any recurrence of such experiences,” she added, stressing that stability lies at the heart of diplomacy. She was speaking on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Chamwino State House in Dodoma during the official opening of the year with ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organisations in Tanzania.

According to her, despite notable achievements in managing the country’s democratic process, democracy remains a journey of growth, as every political system carries grievances. However, she said, to promote national healing, her government had undertaken a number of measures, including the establishment of the Ministry of Youth in the President’s Office to institutionalise the visibility and participation of the next generation.

“I also constituted an independent commission of inquiry in line with our Constitution and pledged to establish a truth and reconciliation commission as part of our new Constitution process,” she added. On the economy, President Hassan told diplomats that Tanzania remains among Africa’s fastest-growing economies, posting nearly six percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, while inflation has been contained at 3.

3 percent. She added that the national debt remains sustainable.

President Hassan also used the platform to outline aspects of the country’s 2026 economic diplomacy, noting that Tanzania is focusing, among other areas, on health diplomacy and transitioning from reliance on aid towards strategic health investment. “As a core pillar of our 2026 foreign policy, our vision for a trillion-dollar economy is inseparable from our role in establishing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through resilient health infrastructure,” she said.

She invited the diplomatic community to move beyond traditional assistance and instead engage in medical diplomacy to support Tanzania’s ambition to become a regional hub for specialised healthcare. According to her, the government plans to leverage the strong reputation of institutions such as the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute to attract medical and sustainable tourism.

“Simultaneously, I call for facilitation of technology transfer to support our newly launched Pharmaceutical Investment Acceleration Programme, which includes a ‘Green Lane’ fast-track approval system to attract investors and speed up licensing, regulation and other approvals,” she said. The President also welcomed investors to establish local manufacturing plants to significantly reduce reliance on imported essential medicines.

On political space, President Hassan told envoys that in 2026, Tanzania’s voice would be raised to offer solutions, with concerted efforts to resolve challenges. “We will be guided by our traditional tenets of promoting peace and stability, good neighbourliness, adherence to non-alignment, non-interference in internal affairs, upholding human rights, including the right to development, and advancing regionalism and multilateralism,” she said.

She added that Tanzania will not take sides in a divided world but will instead seek to build bridges that bring nations together. “Our commitment is towards a world governed by law, not by force,” she stressed.

Earlier, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, said regrettable events following the October 29 elections affected Tanzania’s global image, placing foreign policy under unprecedented strain since independence. However, he said the government took bold steps to address the situation, sending a clear message that Tanzania would emerge stronger, united during healing, and cohesive in recovery.

“We will continue engaging in open, respectful dialogue that upholds our political space, dignity, values, traditions, and culture,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. Despite sustained efforts to eradicate child labour, many children in Zanzibar remain deeply involved in the marine economy, with fishing emerging as the most common activity, engaging 27.8 percent of children, followed by fish de-scaling at 14.4 percent.

A recent Situational Analysis of Child Labour in Coastal and Marine Activities in Zanzibar shows that fish frying, often perceived as lighter and safer work, accounts for just 2.2 percent of children’s involvement, underscoring how physically demanding tasks have quietly become part of daily life for many children living along the coastline.

The study was conducted in three villages in Unguja: Kiwengwa, Nungwi and Nyamanzi, and involved a sample of 90 children aged between five and 17 years, offering a snapshot of children’s participation in marine-based livelihoods. Published in the Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS), Volume 14, Number 1, on November 6, 2025, the study reveals a clear gender divide in children’s engagement in marine-related activities across the surveyed communities.

Co-authored by Ms Happiness Moshi and Ms Rukia Kitula of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the research shows that boys dominate fishing and fish descaling, activities regarded as physically demanding, while girls are more involved in fish frying, seaweed farming and the gleaning of marine animals. “The findings show that some children (32 percent) spent more hours in coastal and marine activities than the recommended time for their ages, which could be considered as being involved in child labour,” reads part of the study.

Another section notes that children aged between 10 and 14 years constituted the largest group, 43.3 percent, of those who spent more time than recommended working hours per week in coastal and marine activities, with most engaged in fishing, fish vending, and selling seashells. However, the findings indicate that no children were found to be spending more than the recommended working hours per week in loading or offloading fish, washing fishing nets, or gleaning marine animals.

According to the document, more than half of the children involved in coastal and marine activities–56 percent–were assisting their parents, while 23 percent were engaged by other actors within the fishing value chain. “Fishermen were the most common agents engaging children in child labour, followed by fish vendors (14.3 percent).

Most of the children (81 percent) were engaged in any activity available at the time, while only 19 percent were involved in specific tasks,” the report states, adding that children earned between Sh50,000 and Sh100,000 per month. The study further shows that most children engaged in child labour reported exhaustion (93 percent) and injuries (58 percent), compared with children not involved in child labour, among whom 39.3 percent reported exhaustion and 29.5 percent injuries.

These findings were corroborated through participant observation, with researchers noting that children appeared visibly exhausted, while some sustained injuries from fish spines during descaling or cuts from boat engine parts. The study concludes that child labour remains a significant problem in Zanzibar’s coastal and marine activities, with fishing attracting more children than other sectors, particularly in households where parents are fishers who routinely involve their children in income-generating work.

Poverty emerged as the primary driver of child labour in the surveyed areas, with children working to supplement household income and meet basic needs in poor and often large families. “The results also reveal that child labour negatively affects school attendance and academic performance, with some children dropping out of school at an early age,” the study notes, adding that the activities are hazardous to children’s health and wellbeing due to fatigue and frequent injuries.

To address the problem, the study recommends strong interventions to reduce poverty through alternative income-generating activities, including small-scale entrepreneurship, vegetable farming, beekeeping, and aquaculture. While acknowledging that involving children in family activities can be beneficial for skills transfer and social upbringing, the study stresses the need for clear boundaries to prevent exploitation and abuse.

It further calls for changing public perceptions, raising awareness of the consequences of child labour, strengthening law enforcement, and improving school facilities to ensure that every child is encouraged and supported to remain in school. .

Mara. When Joyce (not real name) reflects on the choice she made at 15, she describes it as the hardest and bravest decision of her life.

Facing imminent female genital mutilation (FGM) and a forced marriage, she chose to flee her home, defying family expectations and a deeply rooted tradition that had already dictated the fate of her elder sister. A member of the Kurya community, Joyce, now 24, ran away to avoid being cut.

She recounted her story to The Citizen during a recent visit to Butiama, Musoma Urban, Tarime and Serengeti districts in Mara Region. Speaking quietly but firmly, she said, “My parents were determined to subject me to FGM so that I could be married off.

It was also about the benefits they would gain from the marriage.” She described how preparations were already complete: invitations had been sent, clothes and shoes bought and guests informed.

She had even been given kitenge fabrics for the ceremony. “There was no discussion.

It was compulsory,” she said. Access to information What changed Joyce’s path was access to information.

While still at school, she attended awareness sessions by Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania, an organisation educating children and communities about the dangers of FGM and the rights of girls. “They used to come to our school and teach us about the health risks and lifelong effects of FGM.

That is how I understood the harm it causes. I knew I could not accept it,” she said.

With pressure mounting and preparations complete, Joyce decided to leave home and seek refuge at a safe house run by Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania. “I knew there would be consequences,” she recounts.

Those consequences were immediate and painful. Her younger sister was forced to undergo FGM in her place.

“When they realised I was gone, they said someone had to fill the gap. My younger sister was cut.

After that, she stopped going to school. She didn’t complete Standard Seven and was later married,” she recalls.

Joyce was taken to Mugumu Safe House, where she was welcomed by caregivers, including a woman she fondly calls Mama Rhobi. At the time, she was in Form One.

With support from the safe house, she continued her studies through Form Two in Mugumu, Serengeti District and later completed Form Four. Her determination paid off.

With sponsorship support, Joyce enrolled in college to study hotel management and hospitality. After graduating, she secured employment in the tourism sector and now works in Serengeti as a hospitality professional and tour guide.

“I escaped in 2017 when I was 15. Today I am working, independent and supporting myself,” she said. Joyce comes from a family of six girls, of whom only two, her elder sister and the younger sister, after she fled, underwent FGM.

The remaining sisters were spared, a change Joyce attributes to her journey and the lessons her parents have learned. “At first, my parents rejected me.

They said they could not live with a daughter who was not cut. But after I completed my higher education and got a job, things have changed,” she added.

With the support of safe house caregivers, Joyce later returned home to engage her parents in dialogue. Over time, attitudes shifted.

“We started educating them. They have now seen that FGM has no benefit.

When a girl is cut, she often loses interest in school and ends up married early, facing a very hard life,” she explained. Her younger sister’s experience remains a painful reminder.

“After she was cut, she refused to continue school and got married. Life has been very difficult for her.

” Joyce adds, “My parents have seen the difference between a daughter who ran away, studied and succeeded and another who was cut and struggled.” “Today, there is no longer pressure on the younger girls in the family.

One sister is in Form Two and currently living in a safe house after fleeing for fear of being cut. Others are still in primary school,” she added.

“My parents now say it should be a personal choice. Before, there was no debate; it was mandatory.

Now they understand,” she recalls. Joyce hopes her story will inspire other girls facing similar threats to speak out and seek help.

“I want other girls to know that it is possible to escape and succeed. FGM is not destiny.

Education and support can change everything,” she said. Courage and resilience Another survivor, Jamila (not real name), 25, shares a similar story of courage and resilience.

She resolved never to undergo FGM after witnessing its devastating effects on her two elder sisters. “By the time preparations were being made for me, I was completely determined that I would not go through it,” she said.

At the age of 12, Jamila sought help from her teacher. “I explained to my teacher what was happening.

She told me she would help, but advised me to return home for the moment,” she recalls. By then, all arrangements had been finalised.

Although her mother opposed FGM and understood its harm, she was unable to intervene, as other family members had made the decisions. A day before the scheduled ceremony, Jamila returned to her teacher.

“I told her everything had been finalised and that the next day I was expected to be cut, together with my cousin, as was customary.” Her teacher immediately intervened, instructing her not to go home that day.

She stayed with the teacher, who made several phone calls and arranged for help. “A vehicle was organised.

I was taken to the police and from there referred for protection. Eventually, I was taken to Hope for Girls,” recalls Jamila.

At the time, she was 12. In her family of three girls, two were cut, leaving Jamila as the only one who escaped. “After reporting the matter, the police ensured my safety before I was taken to Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania, a safe house located in Serengeti, Mara Region,” she says.

Jamila’s life took a very different path. She went on to complete her O-Level and A-Level studies, achieving Division One and later earned a place at the University of Dar es Salaam, where she studied Arts and Law Enforcement, graduating in 2024. She has worked in legal-related fields, including volunteering with advocacy organisations, gaining exposure to justice and human rights issues.

Currently, she is involved in leadership and advocacy work, some of which is conducted online, focusing on empowerment and awareness. Her sisters, who were cut, remain at home: one is married and the other continues with her own life.

“Looking back, I know my life would have been very different had I not escaped FGM,” she says. She emphasises, “Parents must respect and protect the rights of girls.

Many harmful practices persist because girls are denied choices and opportunities. If a girl wants to be educated, she should be supported to learn and grow.

Girls have dreams, ambitions and potential. They deserve to be protected, empowered and given the chance to shape their own futures.

” “If there had been a safe house, I would not have been cut. I had nowhere to run and that is why it happened, even though I did not want to undergo FGM.

” Painful experience Those words reflect the painful childhood experience of Rhobi Samwelly, whose life was permanently altered by a harmful cultural practice she neither chose nor supported. When her parents decided it was time for her to be cut, she received no protection or support from her community, leaving her defenceless.

Years later, Rhobi realised that the absence of safe spaces for girls was one of the main reasons many are forced to undergo FGM, particularly during peak cutting seasons. Determined to prevent other girls from suffering, she took action.

In 2017, she founded Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania, an organisation dedicated to protecting girls at risk of FGM and other for and of violence. Since its establishment, the organisation has rescued and protected 3,757 girls from being cut.

Between November and December 2025 alone, more than 200 girls were sheltered in safe houses, bringing the total number of girls protected to nearly 4,000. Rhobi says her personal experience continues to fuel her lifelong commitment to defending the rights of girls and women. Reliable rescue vehicle However, the work is not without challenges.

Speaking about the organisation’s difficulties, she said the most urgent need is a reliable rescue vehicle to enable rapid response when reports of girls at risk are received. “Once we receive information, we must act immediately by sending a vehicle to rescue the girls,” she said.

She added that providing food and clothing remains a major challenge, as many girls flee their homes with nothing and often come from marginalised families. Despite the obstacles, Rhobi remains resolute, saying that as long as FGM persists, safe houses will remain a lifeline for vulnerable girls.

Currently, she runs two safe houses in Serengeti and Butiama in Mara Region and she hopes to expand the initiative with a new centre in Tarime. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian motorists may see relief at the pump in 2026 as global oil markets forecast a shift toward oversupply and weaker crude prices.

Global market forecasts suggest that crude prices are likely to remain subdued in 2026, with analyst surveys pointing to Brent crude averaging in the low-to-mid $60s per barrel, with some forecasts indicating a possible slide into the $50s if oversupply intensifies. This comes amid rising production from major exporters and renewed output from nations such as Venezuela, which analysts say could add to global crude supplies.

Secretary General of the Tanzania Petrol Stations Operators Association (TAPSOA), Mr Tino Mmasi, said there is a strong reason to believe that fuel prices in Tanzania will moderate accordingly. “It is true prices will go down in the coming months of 2026 because we depend heavily on world prices,” Mr Mmasi said, noting that the strength of the Tanzanian shilling from late 2025 into 2026 has helped to lower the landed cost of imports.

He recalled that in the previous three to four months, local fuel prices declined significantly after the shilling gained against the dollar. According to Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) cap prices of Wednesday, January 7, 2026, petrol delivered through the Dar es Salaam port is selling at Sh2,778 per litre in January, up from Sh2,749 in December.

Diesel dropped to Sh2,726 per litre from Sh2,779 while kerosene increased to Sh2,763 from Sh2,653. Mr Mmasi cautioned, however, that changes in the global crude prices do not translate instantly to local retail pump prices, because fuel is typically ordered two to three months in advance. Executive Director of the Tanzania Association of Oil Marketing Companies (Taomac), Mr Raphael Mgaya, echoed the outlook, saying the global oversupply narrative predated recent developments.

“Even before current global events, issues in Venezuela and other markets already pointed to a forecast of price declines to the $50s per barrel this year,” Mr Mgaya said. He explained that as Venezuela, previously under-producing, expands output under new conditions, the extra crude will increase global supply and exert downward pressure on prices.

Mr Mgaya predicted a prolonged period of price relief in the coming months if the oversupply persists. “Because Tanzania imports our oil and the global price takes a large share of the cost we pay, the more it goes down, the less pricey fuel becomes here,” he said.

For everyday motorists, lower global oil prices could mean a noticeable reduction in fuel expenditures, particularly for petrol and diesel. Transport operators, who have been battling high operating costs driven by fuel price volatility, stand to benefit most.

Cheaper fuel could also help moderate inflation, especially for goods and services that are sensitive to transport costs. Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development Dr Donath Olomi said Tanzania’s heavy dependence on imported fuel continues to shape the cost structure of the entire economy.

“Tanzania imports large volumes of petroleum products, and this has a direct impact on the cost of almost everything,” he said. He explained that fuel is a core input not only in transport, but also in industrial production, agriculture, raw material processing and trade.

“If fuel prices decline, the relief will not be limited to transport costs. It will lower production expenses, ease farming operations, reduce the cost of raw materials and improve business efficiency across sectors,” Dr Olomi said.

He added that, in general, a sustained reduction in fuel prices can make a meaningful contribution to economic growth by improving profitability for firms, increasing disposable income for households and stimulating consumption. “Overall, you can say that a drop in fuel prices has the potential to significantly support economic expansion,” he said.

These views align with the latest assessment by the Bank of Tanzania. Following the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on January 7, 2026, Governor of the Bank of Tanzania Emmanuel Tutuba said global crude oil prices had declined to between $62 and $65 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2025, and are expected to remain within the same range in the subsequent quarter, driven by ample global supply and subdued demand.

“This trend will continue offering relief to Tanzania’s inflation, foreign currency demand, and exchange rate stability, as oil imports currently account for about 17 percent of goods imported,” the central bank governor wrote in the MPC statement. .