Category: The Citizen

Mwanza. Mwanza Regional Police have arrested six drivers and suspended their driving licences for operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.

The statement issued on Saturday, April 4, 2026, by Mwanza Regional Police Commander (RPC) Wilbrod Mutafungwa, who said a special operation is ongoing to control drivers who violate road safety laws and regulations. The drivers are a resident of Nyakato, Mr Suleiman Magoti, 36, whose vehicle operates between Kakebe and the Airport; a resident of Nyegezi, Mr Elias Michael, 26, a Toyota Coaster operating between Kisesa and Usagara; and a Toyota Hiace driver operating between the Airport and Nyashishi, Mr Ramadhani Athumani, 56. Others are a resident of Nyakato Mecco and Town Ace Pickup driver, Mr Joeli Ezekiel, 36, a resident of Musoma and saloon car driver, Mr Fidelis Rong’ongo (27), and a resident of Capripoint and a Toyota Hiace driver operating between Ilemela and Nyasgishi, Mr Shaban Siraji, 55. The statement said the operation has seized a total of 98 three-wheeled motorcycles, five two-wheeled motorcycles with modified exhausts causing noise, 13 passenger vehicles and four small cars, all impounded for various road safety offences, including drunk driving involving seven drivers and operating a motor vehicle without a licence.

“All these drivers were arrested on Friday, April 03, 2026, while driving under the influence of alcohol and have had their licences suspended for six months starting today, April 04, 2026. Owners of the vehicles, together with the arrested drivers, will face legal action, including being taken to court,” said RPC Mutafungwa. The commander also warned vehicle owners and drivers to comply with road safety laws, regulations and procedures to prevent road accidents.

“Remove unauthorised lights that may cause accidents, ensure vehicles have valid registration numbers and possess proper driving licences,” he said. Additionally, the statement urged all road users to recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility and to cooperate in protecting the lives and property of citizens.

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Arusha. In a remarkable breakthrough underscoring the growing potential of youth-led innovation in Tanzania, a teenage inventor has developed smart eyeglasses designed to transform mobility for people with visual impairments.

A 19-year-old student at Radio Habari Maalum College in Arusha, Majaliwa Tanu, has unveiled an innovative pair of obstacle-sensing glasses aimed at enabling the visually impaired to navigate their surroundings with greater safety and independence. Traditionally, individuals with impaired vision have relied heavily on walking sticks as their primary aid when moving through public spaces.

Majaliwa’s invention introduces an advanced alternative, blending technology with practical need to enhance everyday mobility. “These glasses are capable of detecting the presence of a person, vehicle or any object ahead, and then activate a warning mechanism to alert the wearer of potential danger,” said Majaliwa.

The innovation was among the standout exhibits at the recent Youth Innovation and Exhibition Symposium held in Arusha, where young minds showcased creative solutions to pressing societal challenges. Majaliwa is one of the beneficiaries of Compassion International Tanzania (CIT) child and youth development programmes, which focus on nurturing talent and empowering young people from vulnerable backgrounds.

According to Youth Programmes Coordinator at CIT, Sarah Shila, the initiative is designed to support young innovators in transforming their ideas into sustainable ventures. “Our objective is to equip young people with vocational and creative skills that enable them to develop solutions to real challenges in their communities, while also creating opportunities for income generation,” she said.

Currently, Compassion International Tanzania supports more than 123,000 children and youth across the country, investing in education, mentorship and life skills development. A key pillar of the programme is fostering innovation and creativity among young beneficiaries.

The exhibition also featured other notable innovations, including battery-powered delivery robots equipped with digital sensors to track packages in transit. The robots were a Form Four student at Kaloleni Secondary School, Paulo John in collaboration with three peers.

Like Majaliwa, Paulo is supported through a Compassion centre operated by Mennonite Tanzania. “The robots will help businesses and individuals track their packages from dispatch to destination, reducing costs and easing the burden of monitoring deliveries,” said Paulo.

Speaking at the event, Project Facilitator at Compassion International Tanzania, Mr Edwin Masanta emphasised the importance of mentorship from experts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to strengthen youth innovations. “For such initiatives to create lasting impact, they must be supported sustainably.

The government, through youth development funds, also has a critical role in enabling these innovators to establish industries that contribute to national economic growth,” he said. More than 162 students supported by Compassion Tanzania have undergone training in innovation and entrepreneurship, with 47 successfully developing projects that are now set to be refined and incubated into scalable technological solutions.

Teacher Elikana Bugemwe said that as Tanzania advances towards a knowledge-based economy, innovations like Majaliwa’s smart glasses highlight the transformative power of youth creativity, offering practical solutions that not only address societal challenges but also pave the way for inclusive and sustainable development. .

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) delivered a timely statement in the NBC Premier League, brushing aside Tanzania Prisons 3-0 to end a run of three consecutive draws and reassert control at the top of the table.

Played at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam, the match carried added significance for Yanga, who had begun to show signs of inconsistency in recent weeks. However, they responded with authority, producing a composed and clinical performance that underlined their championship pedigree.

The breakthrough came early in the second half through January signing Allan Okello, who has quickly become an influential figure since arriving from Vipers SC. The Ugandan midfielder rose highest in the 50th minute to head home a pinpoint cross from Israel Mwenda, registering his second goal of the season.

With the lead secured, Yanga grew in confidence, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. Prisons attempted to respond, but their efforts left gaps at the back, which the hosts exploited with precision.

In the 68th minute, midfielder Mudathir Yahya doubled the advantage, finishing off a well-worked move that again involved Okello. By the closing stages, the result was beyond doubt.

Pacome Zouzoua added a third in the 86th minute, calmly converting after a well-weighted long pass from Duke Abuya, beating goalkeeper Mussa Mbisa to seal an emphatic win. The victory sees Yanga move to 41 points from 17 matches, maintaining their unbeaten run with 12 wins and five draws.

Their record of 35 goals scored and only three conceded highlights a side that remains both ruthless in attack and disciplined in defense. For Prisons, however, the defeat deepens an already worrying slide.

The Mbeya-based outfit has now gone five matches without victory, their last win coming on February 14 against Namungo FC. Since then, they have managed just one draw and suffered four defeats, slipping to 15th place with 13 points from 18 games.

Now under the guidance of former Yanga defender Shadrack Nsajigwa, the team is still searching for its first win since his appointment in late February. He replaced Kenyan tactician Zedekiah Otieno, whose stint yielded only three victories in 14 matches.

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The grocery isn’t noisy, and yet, you honestly can’t get what this guy is saying to you. Yeah, he’s mumbling without fully opening his mouth.

Worse still, he’s hardly giving you any chance to say something, like asking him to repeat what he has said. You’re unlucky to have ventured into this eating and drinking place at this particular time for a bowl of udon before proceeding to town for some serious business ha!.

Unlucky, because bumping into fellows like this ndugu means you’re likely to be delayed over nothing beneficial to you. All you can decipher from this guy’s mumbling is his insistence that he and you are brothers.

Which isn’t totally untrue, for his father is somewhat related to the woman in whose womb you grew for a whole nine months before emerging into this treacherous world. “Wewe ni kakangu wa damu,” he muffles as he sips from his small bottle of beer.

Clearly the guy is inebriated, much as we’re still in mid-morning. He half opens his eyes, like he’s struggling to keep them open.

From what you can get from his muffling, your ndugu is on leave. So, that’s it! When a man is on leave, it means he has 24 hours to do whatever he wants with his timeand money.

Yeah, including drinking from morning to midnight and beyond. It makes you worried to imagine what life will be with this guy and his ilk when they go on retirement! Looking at him takes you back to the late 1990s when you had this neighbour in Dar’s Sinza kwa Wajanja ha!.

There was a retired guy whose nice home stood just a few minutes from a cosy, open-air grocery served by a beautiful, motherly lady we all called Mama Sophy. The guy (call him Charo) would report daily at the grocery as early as 9am and order his Safari Lager, placing his packet of cigarettes and a lighter on the table.

He would often invite Mama Sophy to join him and drink whatever she wished on his bill. By 1pm Charo would still be there, enjoying his beer and cigarettes while reading a newspaper as Mama Sophy attended other drinkers.

At around this time, a small boy would run up to him and say, “Babu, Dada says food is ready,” then dash back home immediately. The old guy would respond to his grandkid’s call at least 30 minutes later.

And he’d be back within the next 15 minutes! Whenever you got a chance to have some small talk with Mama Sophy, she’d almost always say, “I can see Mzee Charo dying quite soon.” Ominous, this! You would say to yourself and ask, “Why do you say so, Mama Sophy?” “Boozing from morning to late evening, day in, day out, has never left anybody unscathed!” she would say in a matter-of-fact tone.

Well, you left Sinza and shifted to your current location in the late 1990s. Last time you drove past the place, Mama Sophy’s grocery wasn’t there, and in its place was a clothes-selling shop, Eti, a boutique.

Your investigations confirmed Mama Sophy’s prophecy. Mzee Charo joined his Maker in early 2000, after battling with health issues that affected his chest and liver.

He was only 65. The holiday conduct of your ndugu, who reaches his statutory retirement age in two years’ time, makes you dread he could go the way of Mzee Charo. Little chance of living to be a hundred.

Sob! .

When a person passes away, it is considered prudent and humane to speak about him nicely; to highlight the good actions that that he did when still on this earth. The bads are usually buried with him.

Indeed, some cultures and religions forbid speaking anything unbecoming about a deceased person. The obituaries are usually nicely cut so that society retains a positive image of that person.

Some obituaries are not all that friendly; and there have been exceptional personalities who have had a rare chance of reading their own obituaries. Among the most famous ones, is Swedish Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), a chemist, engineer, inventor and businessman.

In 1888, following the death of his brother Ludvig, French newspapers mistakenly published a premature obituary for Alfred Nobel titled “The merchant of death is dead”. The article condemned Nobel for inventing dynamite and profiting from explosives, stating he “became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before”.

Appalled by this legacy, Nobel decided to leave the majority of his fortune to establish the Nobel Prize to honor contributions to humanity A good part of his inventions and businesses was used in warfare, making him a huge fortune. When he was presumed dead, when it is his brother who had indeed died Alfred was stunned when obituary writers referred to him as “a merchant of death”.

As he had loathed war all his life, he vowed that he would not be remembered as such! So, he decided to leave his immense fortune to foster science, literature and peace. The Nobel Prizes were born! The late Lukuvi should be remembered for the good deeds he did (which are many) and those he wished to achieve but did not do so.

Two, among the latter immediately come to mind. Mr Lukuvi wished the country had a National Housing Policy, a “final draft” of which was completed and signed by him in 2018. I recall attending a meeting of the Management of the Ministry of Lands in Dar es Salaam, when Minister Lukuvi, holding a Draft of that policy, required his staff to make sure the Policy was discussed by key stakeholders.

The Policy went forward, but has never been approved, a major problem being the argument that there is a National Human Settlements Development Policy, a jinx purveyed by town planners in whose hands the development of the National Housing Policy has fallen since the birth of the Human Settlements movements in 1972. “Human Settlements” has been equated to urban development and housing, much as housing has its own specialties. The late Lukuvi may not have known that the National Human settlements Development Policy is a giant policy covering many things including land tenure, environment, employment, the informal sector, transport, energy, water supply, waste management, demography, small towns, beaches, border towns, land use planning, unplanned settlements, regularization, waste water, urban agriculture, health, and so on.

Many of these areas need or have their own policies and legislation. So housing, given its complexities, cannot be hidden under this giganteum of a human settlement policy.

Hopefully, there will be people who understand this, so that one day, we have a National Housing Policy, where we can talk of national housing standards, affordability, housing finance, housing production, housing renewal, and so on. The second area which was at the heart of the late Lukuvi, was tenants.

He thought these were being exploited by landlords as well as by brokers (madalali). He believed that if there was a Real Estate Regulatory authority (RERA), this would not only register and license professionals of real estate, it would also spawn legislation akin to rent control which would regulate house rents, tenants’ security of tenure, key money, deposits, advance payment, evictions, rental housing production and maintenance.

While steps have been taken to have in place an authority called RERA, creating this organization has remained a promise. One reason which may be in the way for getting a RERA in the country may the fear of having too many regulatory authorities in the Ministry of Lands (regulating town planners, surveyors/geomatician, valuers).

A way out of this which needs to be considered seriously would be to expand the duties of the current Valuation Registration Board, to include real estate managers and land administrators. In training, these people get education which is similar, and in many countries, they operate under one regulatory authority.

This would need to review the Valuation and Valuers’ (Registration) Act to bring in these other professions. It is a cheaper option to establish and to run.

May Honourable William Lukuvi rest in peace. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national swimming team will compete in the 2026 Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships set to take place in Oran, Algeria, from May 5 to 10, following a late change of host country.

The continental event was initially scheduled to be held in Ghana, but the West African nation withdrew from hosting duties, prompting Africa Aquatics to name Algeria as the new host. African Swimming Championships are the African championships in the sport of swimming.

It is organised by the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) and held biennially. Despite the change, organisers confirmed that the competition will proceed on its original dates.

The championships are expected to attract strong participation, with 44 countries set to take part in what is regarded as one of Africa’s premier swimming events. The competition will feature junior, senior and masters categories, maintaining the traditional structure used in previous editions.

The Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) has confirmed that Tanzania will be among the nations competing in the championships, with preparations already underway. TSA secretary general Inviolata Itatiro said the final squad will be unveiled after the completion of confirmation processes, noting that the association is taking time to ensure the best swimmers are selected.

“The names and number of swimmers who will represent Tanzania will be known later after confirmation,” she said. Inviolata expressed optimism about the country’s chances, pointing out that Tanzania has a strong pool of talented swimmers capable of making an impact on the continental stage.

“We have many talented swimmers who can do their best at the event,” she said, adding that preparations have intensified as the competition draws closer. Currently, most of the swimmers are training with their respective clubs across the country as part of structured build-up programs.

The training sessions are focused on improving endurance, technique and overall performance ahead of the championships. The build-up to the Africa Championships will also include the Tanzania National Club Swimming Championships 2026 (18th Edition), scheduled to take place from April 10 to 12 at the IST Masaki Pool in Dar es Salaam.

The national event is expected to serve as a key platform for assessing swimmers’ form and readiness, while also helping selectors identify athletes who will represent the country in Algeria. Africa Aquatics has also acknowledged the swift intervention by Algerian authorities and the national federation for agreeing to host the championships at short notice, ensuring the event remains on track.

For Tanzania, participation in the championships presents an important opportunity to test its swimmers against top competition from across the continent, while continuing to build experience and exposure at the highest level of African aquatic sports. .

Same. Fear, confusion and panic have spread in Makandeni Subhamlet, Marieni Village, Chome Ward, Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, after the ground began to shake and crack, producing fissures that extended into residential areas.

As a result, 10 households have abandoned their homes, while one place of worship has become unusable due to large cracks caused by the phenomenon. Residents living at the foot of Chome Mountains have been gripped by fear, witnessing the land shifting and some areas sinking, raising serious concerns about their safety.

Some affected families have relocated to temporary shelters, moving both people and belongings while awaiting government intervention. When The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, visited the area on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, one church was observed left open after its walls developed major cracks, with the floor showing signs of shaking.

Worshippers suspended services and sought refuge in nearby churches while awaiting a permanent solution. Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Nurdin Babu, said the government has already begun taking action by ordering experts to conduct a thorough investigation.

“I have received the reports and instructed experts to go quickly to determine the cause of the problem and the proper measures to take,” he said. A similar incident occurred in 2009 in Manja Subhamlet, Mamba Myamba Ward, in the same district, where 24 people died after being covered by landslides and mudflows, prompting some residents to relocate.

Residents speak out Local residents said the situation is worsening, with land fissures spreading from one area to another, increasing fear in the community. The elder of the affected Kungwini Sabbath Church, Mr Msafiri Mkodo, said the problem has forced them to relocate twice from one worship site to another, and even after building a new church, it too was affected.

“Initially, we saw small cracks, but they became large and endangered our lives. We moved and built another church nearby, but the same problem occurred.

Now we have had to leave completely,” he said. Congregants have no place to worship and are scattered among other churches, while preparing to construct a temporary shelter in a safe area.

Another local resident, Amani Elia, said families had to leave after their homes developed severe cracks, making it unsafe to sleep at night. “Currently, we live with relatives; we cannot stay in houses with major cracks.

We fear they could collapse at any time,” she said. Me John Chambua added that many residents have left voluntarily to save their lives while waiting for government experts to determine the cause.

“This is not a normal situation. The cracks are spreading every day.

We decided to leave first and wait for the experts’ findings,” he said. Elisa Mtera said what increases their fear is the speed at which the land is moving, claiming that in some areas it has shifted by up to one metre.

“We wonder where this land is going when it moves. It means there is a powerful force beneath it.

This is very frightening,” she said. Makandeni Subhamlet Chairperson, Ms Marry Godfrey, said 10 households, including her own, have already fled, noting that the impact has affected three subhamlets.

“People have nowhere to stay, houses have cracked, even farms have been affected. We request urgent government assistance,” she said.

Marieni Village Chairperson, Mr Andrea Mndeme, said the problem began late last year and has been intensifying daily. “As time passes, the situation is getting worse.

We need experts to come and tell us the truth and the measures to take,” he said. .

Geita. Geita District Commissioner Hashim Komba has directed officials from the Mining Commission, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Ruwasa), and the Lake Victoria Basin in the district to conduct tests on water samples from a river surrounding a gold processing project located in Nyakagwe Village, Butobela Ward, after 13 cattle died from drinking water believed to be contaminated with poison.

Mr Komba issued the directive on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during his visit, accompanied by the district security and defence committee, environmental officers, Ruwasa, and mining officials. The DC arrived at the gold processing project owned by Mr Simon Kiganga to verify the situation and issue directives aimed at preventing further incidents of a similar nature.

“Our colleagues from the Mining Commission need to work closely with those from Ruwasa and the Lake Victoria Basin authorities to collect water samples passing through these areas and those flowing beyond, based on the direction of the small streams we are observing, so that you may continue verifying, without doubt, the safety of water being used within this zone,” directed Mr Komba. Mr Komba also ordered regular inspections of mineral processing projects while urging livestock officers to educate pastoralists to take precautions when grazing their animals near mining sites to prevent livestock from drinking contaminated water.

Acting Resident Mining Officer for Geita mining region, Mr Hussein Nzima, said on March 23, 2026, they discovered the cattle dead at a gold site located near the investor. He said an inspection involving the Mining Office, local executive officer, councillor, and livestock officer linked the deaths to cyanide poisoning, a chemical commonly used in mining operations.

“Preliminary investigations established signs of water leaking at Mr Simon Kiganga’s plant, especially from a pit used to store toxic water, and further assessment confirmed that the contaminated water originated from this project,” said Mr Nzima. He added that following the incident, Sh20 million compensation was paid to the owner of the 13 cattle under a special agreement, while measures were also taken to bury the animals under the supervision of a veterinary doctor to prevent potential harm to humans had the meat been consumed.

He further explained that the penalty was issued under the Mining Act, which operates in conjunction with environmental legislation requiring any person responsible for environmental pollution to face punishment through the payment of fines. Similarly, Acting Environmental Officer for Geita District Council, Mr Proches Norbert, said that after receiving reports of the incident, they visited the site the following day, March 24, 2026, and took action, including issuing a notice and imposing a fine of Sh10 million in accordance with environmental regulations, alongside restoration of the damaged environment.

Butobela Ward Councillor, Mr Paschal Mapungo, also urged the investor to adopt modern infrastructure when constructing large drainage channels for chemical water instead of relying on manual excavation, explaining that such methods endanger workers’ health and result in substandard drainage systems. “Our goal is production; we are not opposed to your operations.

We want to see you continue paying taxes, government revenue increasing, you benefiting from your investment, and surrounding communities enjoying greater safety,” said Mr Mapungo. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representative in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Dar City, remain firmly in contention for a place in the playoffs despite suffering a setback against Libya’s Al Ahly Ly.

In a thrilling encounter played at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Dar City fell 11897 to the Libyan side, a result that stunned many basketball fans back home given the Tanzanian champions’ strong form in earlier matches. The defeat came as a surprise, especially considering that Al Ahly Ly had previously shown inconsistent performances compared to Dar City, who entered the game with confidence after securing victories against Johannesburg Giants and Nairobi City Thunder.

Those wins had positioned the Tanzanian side as one of the favorites to claim another crucial result. However, Al Ahly Ly delivered a commanding performance, taking control of the match and securing a comfortable victory that halted Dar City’s momentum in the highly competitive Kalahari Conference.

Despite the loss, all is not lost for Dar City. According to the standings in the Basketball Africa League Kalahari Conference, the Tanzanian side must win at least one of their remaining matches to secure qualification for the playoffs, which are scheduled to take place in Rwanda from May 22 to 31. Dar City will return to action tomorrow when they face Angola’s Petro de Luanda in what is expected to be a decisive clash.

They will then conclude their group-stage campaign on Saturday against Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers. Victory in either of the two remaining matches would give Dar City a 31 record, a result that could be enough to guarantee a top-four finish in the Kalahari Conference and secure a place in the BAL Playoffs.

The Kalahari Conference brings together some of Africa’s strongest basketball teams, including Petro de Luanda (Angola), Al Ahly Ly (Libya), RSSB (Rwanda), Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), Dar City (Tanzania), and Johannesburg Giants (South Africa). Only the top four teams will advance to the next stage.

The BAL Playoffs will feature eight teams in total–four from the Kalahari Conference and four from the Sahara Conference, which will be hosted in Morocco. The Sahara Conference includes FUS de Rabat (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), Club Africain (Tunisia), JCA Kings (Ivory Coast), and Maktown Flyers (Nigeria).

The competition in that group is set to begin on April 24. With two crucial games remaining, Dar City’s fate is still in their own hands as they look to bounce back and keep their continental dream alive. .

Dar es Salaam. Presidential candidates in the 2025 General Election have met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan to discuss ways of strengthening political reconciliation, multi-party democracy, peace and national unity.

The move comes five months after the election that resulted in President Hassan, who contested under the CCM ticket, securing victory with more than 96 percent of the vote and later being sworn in to lead Tanzania for a second term. In that election, President Hassan competed against 16 candidates from various political parties, all of whom attended the meeting with the Head of State to deliberate on the future of the nation.

A statement on the meeting issued on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and signed by the Deputy Director of Presidential Communications at State House, Mr Shaaban Kissu says the politicians used the opportunity to present their views on how to strengthen political reconciliation, multi-party democracy, peace and national unity following the General Election. They also offered proposals on how to enhance citizens’ participation in development activities and preserve the values of national unity.

“The discussions also have touched on the importance of promoting leadership ethics, accountability and respectful politics as the foundation for building a nation with political stability and sustainable development” reads part of the statement. In advancing inclusive democracy, the statement said the leaders emphasised the involvement of various stakeholders in national matters and in the development process.

It further noted that the politicians called for the safeguarding of political stability during the implementation of development plans, recognising that an environment of peace and unity is the cornerstone of economic growth and citizens’ welfare. “Alongside that, they highlighted the importance of strengthening a culture of political tolerance, mutual respect and building trust among political stakeholders as a way of sustaining national stability,” part of the statement noted.

The statement added that the politicians underscored the need to continue holding regular dialogue among political leaders to build mutual understanding and address national challenges through discussion and cooperation. “The discussions reflect President Hassan’s commitment to maintaining open and constructive communication among political leaders with the aim of strengthening reconciliation and national cohesion,” the statement said.

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