Category: The Citizen

Iringa. More than 100,000 students in primary and secondary schools, as well as higher learning institutions in Iringa and Njombe regions, are expected to receive oral and dental health education by 2026. The initiative is part of efforts to reduce dental problems among young people, regarded as the nation’s next generation.

The programme is being implemented by Chemicortex Tanzania Limited, manufacturers of White Dent toothpaste, in collaboration with educational institutions. It aims to build early awareness among young people about the importance of proper oral and dental care.

Speaking on Saturday, 20 December 2025, during an oral health education session at Ruaha Catholic University (Rucu), Chemicortex Tanzania Limited Sales Manager, Mr Albert Mbala, said oral and dental health challenges among young people remain a serious concern but are often neglected. He added that this prompted the company to target students as a key group in tackling the issue.

“Oral and dental health challenges among young people are serious, but they are rarely given enough attention. That is why we decided to reach students directly, as the next generation, to raise awareness and encourage them to take an active role in caring for their health,” said Mr Mbala.

He added that students are well-placed to become ambassadors for oral health education in their communities compared with other groups. “We chose students because they face significant oral health challenges, mainly due to high sugar consumption.

They are also easier to reach and engage than older people, whose teeth are often already damaged,” he explained. Mr Mbala noted that sugar consumption has increased rapidly in Tanzania, particularly among young people, contributing to rising cases of oral and dental problems, including tooth decay and frequent pain.

Students at Rucu welcomed the initiative, thanking the company for visiting the university to provide oral health education and for distributing toothpaste to each participant. A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student, Ms Careen Patrick, said the session had helped them better understand proper oral and dental care.

A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student at Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU), Ms Careen Patrick, speaks on Saturday, December 20, 2025, about the initiative to provide oral and dental health education to over 100,000 students from primary and secondary schools as well as higher learning institutions by 2026. “I thank White Dent for coming to our university. This education is very important for young people because many of us do not understand the effects of neglecting oral health,” she said.

Another student, Mr Godfrey Charles, studying Accounting and Finance combined with Information Technology (IT), said the education would help reduce oral and dental health problems among young people if the lessons are put into practice. Overall, oral and dental health in Tanzania remains a major public health challenge that requires greater investment, continuous community education, and improved access to dental services down to the dispensary level, to reduce unnecessary pain and the high cost of treatment.

Despite efforts by the government and other health stakeholders, oral and dental health problems continue to increase, particularly in rural areas and among low-income groups, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has secured a $9.38 million (about Sh24 billion) grant from the African Development Fund (ADF) to enhance climate resilience in the Mkondoa Catchment, a critical water resource area increasingly affected by floods and droughts linked to climate change.

The grant, approved on December 12, 2025, will finance the Enhancing Climate Resilience on Water Resources in Mkondoa Catchment project through the ADF’s Climate Action Window. The initiative aims to protect vulnerable communities and key infrastructure from recurrent climate shocks while improving water security and livelihoods in central and eastern Tanzania.

An estimated 774,000 people in Gairo, Kilosa, and Mvomero districts are expected to benefit directly from the project. Planned interventions include strengthening flood and drought early warning systems, constructing climate-resilient infrastructure such as dikes and check dams, and restoring about 1,200 hectares of degraded watersheds.

The project is also expected to generate employment, with about 3,500 temporary jobs and 1,000 long-term jobs projected during and after implementation. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), women and young people will be prioritised for employment opportunities to ensure inclusive benefits.

Implementation will be overseen by the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board under the Ministry of Water, with construction works scheduled to commence in January 2026. Commenting on the approval, the Water Security and Sanitation Division Manager for East and Southern Africa at the AfDB, Assefaw Mecuria, said the investment was critical to Tanzania’s long-term development. “This project is a strategic investment in Tanzania’s sustainable future,” said Mr Mecuria, adding.

“By building resilience in the Mkondoa Catchment, we are protecting livelihoods, strengthening food security, and fostering inclusive economic growth in the face of a changing climate.” Beyond community protection, the project will also safeguard the MorogoroDodoma Road (B-127), a strategic transport corridor linking agricultural production zones to major markets and facilitating regional trade.

Flooding along sections of the corridor has previously disrupted transport and commerce, resulting in economic losses. The Mkondoa Catchment is largely located in Morogoro Region, with sections extending into Tanga, Dodoma, and Manyara regions.

Covering an estimated 12,960 square kilometres, it accounts for about 19.3 percent of the wider Wami/Ruvu Basin and forms a central component of the Wami Sub-Basin. The catchment spans several districts, including Gairo, Kilosa, Kiteto, Kongwa, Morogoro, Mpwapwa, and Mvomero, with Kilosa District occupying the largest share.

However, the Wami Ruvu Basin Water Board (WRBWB) document shows that the project activities will focus on Kilosa, Gairo, and Mvomero districts, where climate-related impacts have been most severe. Key works will include river training along the Kisangata, Miyombo, and Mkundi rivers in Kilosa District, targeting villages such as Kisangata, Kivungu, and Dumila.

Rehabilitation of existing dikes is planned in Behewa, Kichangani, and Mkwatani areas, while new dikes will be constructed in Mkadage, Kiyangayanga, Rose, and Mbwamaji. Additional measures include the construction of cattle troughs in selected villages, including Mvumi in Kilosa, Makuyu in Gairo, and Matale and Makuyu in Mvomero, aimed at supporting livestock keepers during prolonged dry spells.

According to the AfDB, the project’s expected outcomes include reduced losses from floods and droughts, improved water availability for households and agriculture, and strengthened institutional capacity for climate adaptation at basin and district levels. In the long term, it is expected to contribute to improved nutrition, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth in some of the country’s most climate-vulnerable communities.

The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s national climate adaptation priorities and the AfDB’s broader commitment to supporting climate-resilient development across the continent .

Arusha. The Government has instructed all higher learning institutions to regularly review and update their curricula to produce graduates whose skills align with labour market demands.

Universities have also been urged to strengthen modern teaching infrastructure and expand practical, hands-on training to equip students with competencies that match rapid advancements in science and technology. The directive was issued on Saturday, December 20, 2025, by Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Mshamu Munde, during the 27th graduation ceremony of the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), which saw 4,821 students graduate at certificate, diploma, advanced diploma and degree levels.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Munde said today’s labour market is changing at an unprecedented pace due to technological transformation, modern management practices, and digital systems. He warned that failure by institutions to align curricula with these changes would continue to produce graduates ill-prepared for employment.

His remarks come amid worrying regional statistics showing that over 50 percent of university graduates in East Africa remain unemployed, largely due to skills gaps in critical sectors such as services, communication, technology, and vocational trades. A study by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) shows that unemployment linked to skills mismatches affects 51 percent of graduates in Kenya, 55 percent in Burundi, 52 percent in Rwanda, 61 percent in Tanzania, and 63 percent in Uganda.

“I am pleased to see that IAA has been at the forefront of implementing this vision,” said Mr Munde, adding. “The Institute has invested significantly in infrastructure, quality teaching, research, technology, and responsive curricula that address societal challenges and needs.

” He called on other higher learning institutions to adopt curricula emphasising practical teaching and job-readiness, particularly in fields of accounting, finance, procurement, ICT, marketing, auditing, public relations, economics, taxation, banking, insurance, tourism, business administration, and related disciplines. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister urged graduates to apply their knowledge responsibly to bring positive change to society.

“You have been well prepared. Go and make a difference in the sectors you will serve.

The true value of your education will be demonstrated through integrity, creativity, patriotism, and commitment in both the public and private sectors,” he said. He also encouraged them to use the education acquired at IAA as a tool for personal and technological advancement, to improve their families’ livelihoods, and to act as catalysts for national development.

“Be young people who seek opportunities rather than wait for them, who are innovative in solving societal challenges, ethical in your professions, and who use knowledge to enhance productivity and efficiency wherever you are, so that Tanzania benefits from your skills, professionalism, and achievable dreams,” he said. Earlier, IAA Rector Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka reported that the 4,821 graduates comprised 2,810 men and 2,011 women, marking an increase of 308 compared with last year’s total of 4,513. Meanwhile, IAA Governing Council Chairperson, Dr Mwamini Tulli, said the Institute continues to uphold and strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in line with national higher education regulatory guidelines, an approach that has enhanced academic performance and graduate competitiveness in the job market.

Dr Tulli added that IAA academic staff remain actively engaged in research, scholarly publications, and national and international conferences, further elevating the institution’s academic standing. One of the graduates, Ms Evalight Mboya, an ICT student, expressed gratitude for reaching the milestone and said she intends to use her skills to create employment rather than add to youth unemployment.

“The value of our education will be proven by how we use it to advance ourselves, our families, and the nation at large,” she said, urging fellow graduates to remain innovative, practically skilled, and committed to lifelong learning to keep pace with technological change. .

Nine people were killed and 10 wounded in an early morning shooting in a township south-west of Johannesburg and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, the South African Police Service said on Sunday. The incident occurred just before 1 a.

m. local time (2300 GMT) at a licensed tavern in Johannesburg’s Bekkersdal township, the police said in a statement.

About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the tavern patrons and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene, the police said, adding the motive for the shooting would be determined by investigation. The injured have been taken to medical facilities for treatment, police added.

Bekkersdal is part of the Rand West City local municipality, whose website describes the township as being an area characterised by high levels of unemployment and poverty due to a decline in gold mining. South Africa, Africa’s biggest economy, has one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian long-distance runner and Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Alphonce Simbu has continued his impressive run on the international stage after finishing second in the men’s race at the International World 25km event held in Kolkata, India, today, December 21, 2025. Simbu crossed the finish line in a time of 1:11:56, narrowly missing the top spot in a tightly contested race.

Ugandan star Joshua Cheptegei claimed the gold medal after stopping the clock at 1:11:49, just seven seconds ahead of the Tanzanian. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramagoana completed the podium, finishing third in 1:11:59, underlining how fiercely competitive the race was among Africa’s elite distance runners.

The Kolkata race once again highlighted Simbu’s consistency and resilience, qualities that have defined his career over the past year. Competing against some of the world’s best athletes, the TPDF runner showed tactical discipline and strong finishing speed, further cementing his reputation as one of Tanzania’s most reliable performers in road races and marathons.

In the women’s race, Ethiopian athletes asserted their traditional dominance in long-distance running by sweeping the top four positions. Degitu Azimeraw emerged victorious after clocking 1:19:36, followed by Situme Kebede in 1:20:28. Meselech Alemayehu finished third in 1:20:48, while Kuftu Tayri sealed fourth place with a time of 1:23:32, completing a commanding Ethiopian display.

Simbu’s second-place finish in Kolkata adds another highlight to what has been a remarkable and historic year for the Tanzanian athlete. Earlier this year, he stunned the athletics world by finishing second at the prestigious Boston Marathon in the United States, a result that placed him firmly among the global elite in marathon running.

His crowning moment came in September in Tokyo, Japan, where Simbu won a gold medal at the World Championships, becoming the first Tanzanian athlete to claim a world marathon title. That victory not only elevated his personal career but also marked a significant milestone for Tanzanian athletics on the global stage.

In recognition of his outstanding performances, Simbu was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Male Athlete of the Year award in the out-of-stadium category. The nomination made him the first Tanzanian to reach the final shortlist for the prestigious awards organised by World Athletics, further underlining his growing international stature.

With consistent podium finishes and historic achievements, Alphonce Simbu continues to inspire a new generation of Tanzanian athletes, proving that discipline, determination and national pride can propel local talent to global success. .

Arusha/Dar. Efforts by Unilever Tea Tanzania Limited to avoid paying over Sh27 billion in taxes have ended after the Court of Appeal confirmed the company must settle the assessment.

The court dismissed the appeal filed against the Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), which challenged the decision of the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (TRAT) Council. A three-judge panel, led by Gerald Ndika alongside Dr Lilian Mashaka and Paul Ngwembe, ruled that Unilever’s grounds lacked legal merit.

The ruling, issued on December 12, 2025, and posted on the court’s website, is final. Previously, the company had appealed to the Tax Revenue Appeals Board (TRAB) against TRA’s Sh27 billion assessment, which followed an audit revealing underreported revenues from exported tea.

Unilever argued that the discrepancies arose from the use of temporary invoices when shipping tea to the Mombasa auction in Kenya, where the actual prices were only determined after the sale. The Commissioner rejected this defence, prompting appeals to TRAB and then TRAT, both of which upheld the tax.

During the appeal, Unilever’s lawyer, Mr Stephen Axwesso, claimed TRA’s assessment contained errors and requested a re-evaluation of the evidence. Government lawyers, Carlos Mbingamno and Colman Makoi, opposed the appeal, noting the company had not submitted final invoices and that the court should not re-examine evidence.

The Court of Appeal agreed with TRA, ruling Unilever had failed to provide the required documentary evidence. Judge Ndika, writing for the panel, said the appeal essentially sought to have the court reassess factual evidence, a process not permitted.

“Appeals from the Council should focus solely on legal matters. Evaluation of evidence is factual and remains within the Council’s domain,” said Judge Ndika.

He added that the company had not shown how the evidence was wrongly evaluated or why the Council’s conclusion was unreasonable. “We conclude that this appeal lacks merit and is therefore dismissed with costs,” the judge ruled.

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Arusha. The Tourism and Diplomatic Police, in collaboration with the Immigration Department, are set to establish a 24-hour one-stop service centre aimed at improving and fast-tracking services for tourists.

The proposed centre will enable tourists to access key services under one roof, including assistance for those who lose travel documents. Visitors will be able to process loss reports and obtain emergency travel documents without delays.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, December 21, 2025, the head of the Tourism and Diplomatic Police Centre in Arusha, Superintendent of Police Waziri Tenga, said the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance the country’s tourism experience. “The centre will operate 24 hours a day because tourists enter and exit the country at all times, including weekends and public holidays.

If a visitor loses a passport, they will be assisted quickly without moving from office to office,” he said. He explained that the centre will bring together officers from the Tourism and Diplomatic Police and the Immigration Department, with interconnected systems to ensure swift service delivery.

“Instead of a tourist having to go to a regional immigration office, headquarters or their embassy, all the necessary services will be available at the centre,” Mr Tenga added. He noted that security for tourists has continued to improve through strengthened crime prevention measures, including online patrols and designated service points for tourist vehicles across the country.

Mr Tenga cited the recent visit of a well-known Indian actor to the Chemka area in Kilimanjaro Region, saying the visitor cited security and the hospitality of Tanzanians as key reasons for choosing the destination. On online patrols, he said specialised teams monitor digital trends that may signal security threats, enabling authorities to take timely action.

“Technology has become a critical tool in enhancing security,” he said. Commenting on short-term rental properties, popularly known as Airbnb, Mr Tenga said the police have been registering such houses and engaging owners on ways to improve security, including increased patrols in specific areas.

“At ward level, community police officers work closely with Ward Executive Officers to strengthen security. We encourage property owners to register their houses for legal and security purposes,” he said.

He added that joint operations involving the police, Immigration Department and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) are conducted to ensure compliance. According to Mr Tenga, more than 178 rental houses have so far been registered.

Inspections are currently ongoing during the festive season to ensure safety, as the houses are used by both local and foreign visitors. A tourism stakeholder in Arusha, Mr Francis Jonathan, said the establishment of the Tourism and Diplomatic Police Centre has significantly improved the handling of tourists’ security concerns.

“Tourists are now assisted promptly whenever they face challenges, unlike in the past when they had to seek help from ordinary police stations,” he said. He added that the improved response has strengthened tourist safety, particularly during the end-of-year peak season when visitor numbers are high across the country’s national parks and attractions .

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned an offensive by M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, demanded Rwanda stop supporting the rebels and withdraw its troops, and renewed the mandate for U.N.

peacekeepers. The 15-member council, in a unanimously-adopted resolution, also demanded that Congolese troops stop supporting groups such as the FDLR and that DRC fulfil its commitment to “neutralize the group.

” The FDLR was founded by Hutus who fled Rwanda after participating in the 1994 genocide that killed close to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus. M23 says it is fighting to protect ethnic Tutsi communities in eastern Congo.

The latest M23 advance in mineral-rich eastern Congo came a week after Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame met U.S.

President Donald Trump in Washington earlier this month and affirmed their commitment to a U.S.

-brokered peace deal. Rwanda, which says its troops are in eastern Congo for what it calls defensive measures, has rejected claims of supporting M23 and has blamed Congolese and Burundian forces for the latest escalation of violence.

The Security Council extended for one year the mandate for the long-running peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO. There are currently nearly 11,000 troops and police deployed as part of the operation.

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Arusha. The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has welcomed private sector investment in the construction and upgrading of ports nationwide, as part of efforts to improve operational efficiency and expand capacity.

Speaking on behalf of TPA Director General Plasduce Mbosa at the 18th Joint Transport Sector Performance Review Meeting held in Arusha recently, the Authority’s Director of Planning, Quality and Risk Management, Dr Boniface Nobeji, reaffirmed its commitment to strategic port development. He urged private sector investors to partner with TPA in the construction and operation of ports to ensure strategic projects are delivered on schedule.

“TPA continues to open doors for private investment to strengthen port infrastructure, positioning Tanzania as a key maritime and air transport hub in Africa,” he said. Dr Nobeji highlighted key ongoing projects, including the construction of 15 fuel storage tanks in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, a 500-metre quay at Malindi Wharf at Dar es Salaam Port, Kisiwa Mgao Port in Mtwara, Mbamba Bay Port on Lake Nyasa, and the development of Kemondo, Mwanza East, and North ports on Lake Victoria.

“Completed projects include quay upgrades, expansion of vessel entry and exit gates, extension of ship turning areas at Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara ports, as well as construction of a new quay for car carriers and parking yards capable of handling 6,000 vehicles at Dar es Salaam Port,” he said. Dr Nobeji also reported the installation of modern ICT systems at Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara ports, alongside completed works at inland ports, including Karema Port on Lake Tanganyika and Kemondo Port on Lake Victoria.

Looking ahead, he said TPA is overseeing the development of the modern Mbegani Bagamoyo Port and four new oil vessel quays at Kendwa, Kigamboni, designed to accommodate four vessels simultaneously. Held under the theme “Integrated Transport Systems as a Foundation for Economic Transformation Towards the 2050 Development Vision,” the meeting focused on assessing the implementation of policies, plans, and projects across Tanzania’s transport sector.

Organised by the Ministry of Transport, the forum brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, public and private institutions, and civil society organisations. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Prof Godius Kahyarara, said the annual meeting provides a platform for transport experts, particularly in road, rail, and port infrastructure, to jointly plan and address project implementation challenges.

He added that the transport sector currently contributes more than 10 percent of national employment, engaging about three million people, and generates revenues exceeding $2.66 billion, with potential for further growth. The Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (DART) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Said Tunda, said global temperature data show an increase of 1.

55 degrees Centigrade, with Tanzania recording a 0.6 degree rise.

“Therefore, as we pursue economic development through transport projects, environmental protection must remain a priority,” he said, representing the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG) Permanent Secretary Adolf Ndunguru. Participants also reviewed progress in road, rail, port, and aviation infrastructure development and discussed challenges hindering timely and efficient project implementation.

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Dar es Salaam. UTT AMIS Investment Fund has announced plans to expand its reach by exploring investment opportunities in East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, a move aimed at enabling citizens within those blocs to invest.

The expansion plans come at a time when the fund has recorded growth of more than Sh1.1 trillion this year, an increase described as unprecedented since its establishment. The development was revealed yesterday, December 19, 2025, by UTT AMIS Managing Director Mr Simon Migangala while addressing journalists during the fund’s annual general meeting for investors.

Mr Migangala said the East African and SADC markets will be accessed through new investment products that are currently being developed to meet the needs of investors in those regions. “We have started by assessing the East African market.

As time goes on, markets are becoming increasingly integrated, and later we will look at SADC. In the future, we will introduce products that will target investors outside Tanzania who are interested in investing in the country,” he said.

Explaining the strong growth, Mr Migangala attributed it to an improved business environment that has stimulated growth in capital and financial markets. He said the fund’s assets under management had increased from Sh2.2 trillion at the beginning of the year to Sh3.2 trillion by year-end.

The overall growth has been recorded at a time when the seven funds under UTT AMIS posted an average return of 12 percent. “Since the institution was established, we have never achieved growth of this magnitude.

This has been driven by increased investment. At the beginning of the year, we had about 300,000 investors, but the number has now risen to nearly 500,000,” he said.

Mr Migangala said the fund is leveraging technology to make investing easier, with increased internet use helping to enhance accessibility. “Even those without smartphones can invest.

This is intended to reach all categories of investors–both small and large. Next year, we plan to do more to reach an even wider audience,” he added.

He noted that ongoing technological improvements are aimed at keeping pace with global changes and enabling investors outside Tanzania to invest just as easily as those within the country. “Our goal is to integrate with all banks, including international ones, so that regardless of where an investor is located, the system is linked to all money transfer platforms,” he said.

On why people should invest, Mr Migangala said the funds provide an effective means of financial inclusion, noting that in the past many people conducted business without placing their money in formal systems. “It used to be difficult to save money formally.

Some people even buried cash underground, keeping it outside the economic cycle. Now that money can be mobilised into the fund and invested in banks and productive companies, expanding economic circulation,” he explained.

He also highlighted the importance of young people taking advantage of the opportunity, saying it allows their money to continue growing while they pursue their personal goals. “A young person has a long investment horizon, allowing their capital to grow regardless of how small the initial amount is,” he said.

“As you add more, we add returns, and in the end you are able to achieve what you planned–even if it is importing goods,” Mr Migangala added. Meanwhile, UTT AMIS Board Chairperson Prof Faustine Kamuzora said the fund plans to continue introducing a range of products that will make investing easier, contributing to Tanzania’s target of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2050. “Investment in the financial sector is critical.

It allows people to invest small amounts and earn returns that can grow over time, ultimately strengthening the economy,” he said. .