Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian health experts have cautioned the government against hastily endorsing a new United States global health aid model, warning that poorly negotiated agreements could undermine data sovereignty and roll back hard-won gains in reproductive health.

The warnings come as Kenya’s High Court last week suspended the implementation of a $2.5 billion (Tsh6.13 trillion) health assistance memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the US, citing concerns over the sharing of sensitive personal and medical data. Reproductive health specialists in Tanzania say the agreement, now under discussion in several African countries, could impose conditions that restrict access to reproductive health information and services if adequate safeguards are not established.

Although the full text of the MoU has not been made public, regional experts note that similar arrangements have previously caused confusion among service providers, reduced community outreach, suspended mobile clinics, and heightened fear among health workers of breaching donor conditions. EngenderHealth Tanzania country director Moke Makoma said accepting such agreements without scrutiny could prove costly.

“Family planning is clearly not a priority under these arrangements, and the conditions may reduce access to reproductive health services, increase maternal deaths, and reverse gains made in family planning,” she said. Dr Makoma warned that any reduction or restructuring of US support through MoUs could lead to the scaling down of critical reproductive health services.

UNFPA Tanzania Representative Jacqueline Mahon underscored the economic and social risks, noting that every dollar invested in family planning can save up to six dollars in emergency healthcare costs and wider socio-economic consequences. A senior reproductive health expert told The Citizen that any policy limiting access to family planning or post-abortion care would have immediate and severe effects.

“Any policy that restricts family planning or post-abortion services will directly increase maternal mortality. Rural women will suffer the most,” the expert said on condition of anonymity.

These concerns have gained urgency following developments in Kenya, where a legal challenge has put the US-backed health agreement on hold. Kenya court intervention Kenya’s High Court issued interim orders barring authorities from implementing the MoU “insofar as it provides for or facilitates the transfer, sharing or dissemination of medical, epidemiological or sensitive personal health data.

” The case was filed by consumer rights groups, including the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek), which argued that the agreement could expose Kenyans’ personal medical records and weaken the country’s strategic control over its health systems, particularly digital infrastructure such as cloud-based data storage. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on December 12 that the government would comply with the court order while contesting it.

“We wish to clarify that the current conservatory orders relate specifically to data sharing and do not suspend the broader health partnership,” he said. Under the agreement, the US would contribute $1.7 billion (Ts.

17 trillion), while the Kenyan government would provide $850 million (Tsh2.08 trillion), gradually assuming a larger share of health financing. At the signing ceremony, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the deal as “historic”.

However, public concern has grown in Kenya amid fears that the MoU could allow external access to sensitive medical records, including HIV status, tuberculosis history, and vaccination data. President William Ruto sought to reassure citizens, saying the Attorney General had reviewed the agreement “with utmost diligence” to ensure Kenyan law governs citizens’ data.

The US has not publicly responded to the data privacy concerns. The case is scheduled to return to court on February 12, 2026. Broader shift in US aid The contested MoU is part of the newly launched America First Global Health Strategy, introduced months after the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under the new approach, Washington is moving away from channelling aid through non-governmental organisations and international agencies, instead favouring direct bilateral agreements with recipient governments. The US has already signed similar agreements with Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, and Uganda.

Experts warn that unless African governments negotiate strong protections, the new aid architecture could increase unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths, while placing a heavier financial burden on already stretched public health systems. They argue that countries such as Tanzania must prioritise data sovereignty and safeguard reproductive health gains, which they say are central to national development and the well-being of future generations.

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Bukoba. The government has officially commenced the construction of a University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) campus in Kagera, valued at Sh14.09 billion.

This initiative places renewed scrutiny on the country’s oldest university to deliver quality, relevance, and impact beyond Dar es Salaam. Kagera Region has long been recognised as one of Tanzania’s most education-conscious areas, producing generations of scholars and senior civil servants who have significantly influenced national policy and public life.

However, despite this reputation, the region has historically faced the irony of lacking a university campus. During the foundation stone laying ceremony on December 15, 2025, conducted on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi emphasised that the project is about more than just buildings; it is about preparing the future workforce of Tanzania.

“Education, especially higher education, plays a crucial role in producing the nation’s human capital,” said Dr Nchimbi. He added, “This investment is intended to ensure that our young people acquire skills relevant to the economy and national development.

” The construction of the campus is part of the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project, which is financed by the World Bank and executed by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. This initiative aims to modernize universities, expand access, and align teaching and research with labor market needs.

Education minister Prof Adolf Mkenda stated that the Kagera campus reflects a deliberate policy shift initiated by President Hassan to address regional imbalances in access to university education. “Initially, the plan focused on improving existing campuses and centers.

However, the President directed that universities be spread to underserved areas,” explained Prof Mkenda. He emphasised the importance of this decision for Kagera, highlighting both its symbolic and practical significance.

At the ceremony, UDSM Chancellor and former President Jakaya Kikwete remarked on the region’s strong connection to education. “The identity of elders from this region is reflected in their levels of education.

In almost every village, you’ll find a professor or someone with a PhD,” he noted, pointing out that the absence of a public university campus starkly contrasted with this educational legacy. Acknowledging the need for a university, President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed that a UDSM campus be established in Kagera.

“Your task now is to ensure that students enroll and that more land is reserved for future expansion,” Mr Kikwete explained. He stressed that UDSM must uphold academic standards as it grows.

“We are committed to providing higher education of international quality. We do not want graduates whose degrees are regarded as equivalent to diplomas abroad.

Our education must meet current global demands,” he insisted. The campus will feature lecture theaters, classrooms, computer laboratories, staff offices, student hostels, and support facilities.

It is expected to enroll its first cohort of 660 students, initially focusing on business and ICT-related programs, with plans to increase enrollment to 1,200 within three years. UDSM Vice-Chancellor Prof William Anangisye stated that this project aligns with the university’s broader mandate to support national transformation through teaching, research, and innovation.

He mentioned that UDSM has been allocated $49.5 million under the HEET program for strategic projects, including regional campuses. “This campus is not just an extension of UDSM; it serves as a tool for economic and social change,” said Prof Anangisye, noting that programs will be tailored to address the economic realities of the Lake Zone.

The project has been met with enthusiasm at the regional level. Kagera Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa expressed that the campus fulfills a long-held aspiration for the residents.

“This has been a significant dream for the people of Kagera to have an institution of UDSM’s caliber. The laying of this foundation stone is clear evidence that this dream is becoming a reality,” said Ms Mwassa.

She added that the region is already mobilising investors to support student hostels and other services, highlighting the campus’s potential to stimulate local economic growth. Local education analyst and retired teacher James Rutashobya stated that the arrival of UDSM could help reverse the trend of students and resources flowing out of Kagera.

“For years, our brightest students had to leave Kagera for higher education. This campus changes that narrative and creates new opportunities for families and businesses,” he said.

As construction commences, expectations are rising. For the government, the Kagera campus serves as a test case for its commitment to democratising access to quality higher education.

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Dar es Salaam. More than a decade after the East African Community (EAC) agreed to pursue a single currency, the region’s long-anticipated Monetary Union remains elusive, slowed by institutional delays, uneven economic convergence and mounting global pressures.

At the centre of the slowdown is the delayed establishment of key regional institutions, most notably the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI), which is expected to lay the groundwork for a future regional central bank. According to the EAC Secretary General, Ms Veronica Nduva, prolonged decision-making, delays in selecting a host partner state and limited resources have collectively stalled progress.

She told The Citizen that meeting agreed macroeconomic convergence criteria has also proved difficult as partner states grapple with volatile global conditions, including geopolitical conflicts, climate-related shocks and recent shifts in United States foreign aid and trade policies. “Divergent economic structures and varying levels of development among partner states continue to complicate harmonisation efforts and delay the realisation of the Monetary Union,” Ms Nduva said.

The EAC Monetary Union Protocol was signed on November 30, 2013 with the initial target to establish a single currency within 10 years (by 2024). However, the bloc has revised its timeline, pushing the target date back for the Monetary Union to 2031. Ms Nduva said the new deadline reflects a deliberate shift towards a more systematic approach aimed at building strong institutions and ensuring sustainable economic alignment before the adoption of a single currency.

Despite the delays, she noted that progress has been recorded under the convergence agenda, alongside steps to establish four anchor institutions: the East African Monetary Institute, the East African Statistics Bureau, the East African Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission, and the East African Financial Services Commission. “The legal process for operationalising the EAMI has been completed, and the EAMI Act came into force on July 1, 2021,” she said, adding that the Council of Ministers is still in the process of selecting the host Partner State.

Bills establishing the remaining three institutions were passed by the East African Legislative Assembly but returned for further review following comments from partner states. Under the revised roadmap, the partner states are required to meet four convergence criteria by 2028 and sustain them for three consecutive years leading up to 2031. These include keeping headline inflation below eight percent, maintaining foreign exchange reserves equivalent to at least 4.

5 months of imports, limiting the overall fiscal deficit to three percent of GDP including grants, and keeping gross public debt below 50 percent of GDP in net present value terms. Ms Nduva said performance across the bloc remains uneven.

In 2024, five Partner States–Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Rwanda–met the inflation criterion. Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania achieved the reserve requirement, while Tanzania, Somalia, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda met the debt-to-GDP threshold.

Only Somalia, South Sudan and the DRC met the fiscal deficit target. Beyond fiscal and monetary indicators, institutional integration is also progressing at different speeds.

While the region has advanced in payment systems integration through a Payment Systems Masterplan adopted by central bank governors, and fiscal coordination has improved through Medium-Term Convergence Programmes, full alignment remains incomplete. “EAC partner states’ central banks have harmonised their monetary policy operations by adopting interest rate-based frameworks,” Ms Nduva said, noting that differences in implementation capacity still persist.

The bloc’s recent expansion to include the DRC and Somalia has further complicated the process, as new members must align with existing standards while managing domestic economic challenges. Commenting on the delays, Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba said all Partner States remain committed to the Monetary Union roadmap but warned that success depends on collective compliance and timely institutional set-up.

He said Tanzania has already met several benchmarks, including maintaining inflation within the three-to-five percent range and sustaining stable economic growth, supported by efforts to strengthen the fiscal position through business formalisation and improved revenue collection. Mr Tutuba also highlighted Tanzania’s rapid adoption of digital payment systems, including the Tanzania Instant Settlement System (TISS), noting that greater digitisation enhances transparency and tax collection across the region.

“Digital payments are secure, traceable and support stronger fiscal outcomes, not only for Tanzania but for the EAC as a whole,” he said An EAC report shows that all partner states have now developed technical criteria to guide the transition, including commitments to low inflation, controlled deficits, sustainable public debt and stronger foreign exchange reserves. Central banks are working towards full harmonisation of monetary and exchange rate policies by 2026, although some are still transitioning to forward-looking, interest rate-based frameworks.

The persistence of delays reflects the complexity of aligning diverse economies under a single monetary framework–an ambition that, while still alive, continues to demand patience, political will and institutional discipline. .

Sydney. Two alleged gunmen who attacked a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach had travelled to the Philippines before the assault, which killed 15 people, and appeared to be inspired by Islamic State, police said on Tuesday.

The attack on Sunday was Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community. The death toll stands at 16, including one of the alleged gunmen, identified by police as Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot by police.

The man’s 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice, identified by local media as Naveed Akram, was in critical condition in hospital after also being shot. Authorities probing Philippines trip Australian police said on Tuesday both men had travelled to the Philippines last month and the purpose of the trip is under investigation.

Philippine immigration officials said both men travelled to Manila and onward to Davao in the south of the country on November 1 and left on November 28, just weeks before the Bondi shooting. The father travelled on an Indian passport, while the son was on an Australian passport, officials said, adding it was not conclusive they were linked to any terrorist group or whether they received training in the country.

Islamic state-linked networks are known to operate in the Philippines and have wielded some influence in the south of the country. They have been reduced to weakened cells operating in the southern Mindanao island in recent years, far from the scale of influence they wielded during the 2017 Marawi siege.

“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son,” Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said at a news conference. “These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion.

” Police also said the vehicle which is registered to the younger male contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade flags associated with ISIS, a militant group designated by Australia and many other countries as a terrorist organisation. The father and son allegedly fired upon hundreds of people at the festival during a roughly 10-minute killing spree at one of Australia’s top tourist destinations, forcing people to flee and take shelter before both were shot by police.

Videos have emerged of the younger shooter preaching Islam outside train stations in suburban Sydney. Authorities are still trying to piece together how he went down the path of violence.

Memorial of flowers Some 25 survivors are receiving care in several Sydney hospitals, officials said. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon visited Bondi on Tuesday and urged the Australian government to take all required steps to secure the lives of Jews in Australia.

“Only Australians of Jewish faith are forced to worship their gods behind closed doors, CCTV, guards,” Maimon told reporters in Bondi, after laying flowers at the temporary memorial and paying his respects to the victims. “My heart is torn apart it is insane.

” Australia has seen a string of antisemitic incidents in the past 16 months, prompting the head of the nation’s main intelligence agency to declare that antisemitism was his top priority in terms of threat to life. At Bondi, the beach was open on Tuesday but was largely empty under overcast skies, as a growing memorial of flowers was established at the Bondi Pavilion, metres from the location of the shootings.

Olivia Robertson, 25, visited the memorial before work. “This is the country that our granrents have come to for us to feel safe and to have opportunity,” she said.

“And now this has happened right here in our backyard. It’s pretty shocking.

” Ahmed al Ahmed, the 43-year-old Muslim father-of-two who charged at one of the gunmen and seized his rifle, remains in a Sydney hospital with gunshot wounds. He has been hailed as a hero around the world, including by U.

S. President Donald Trump.

A GoFundMe campaign set up for Ahmed has raised more than A$1.9 million ($1.26 million). Thousands of Australians queued outside blood donation centres across the country to donate blood, responding to calls from medical agencies.

Tougher gun laws Australia’s gun laws are now being examined by the federal government, after police said Sajid Akram was a licenced gun owner and had six registered weapons. Akram received his gun licence in 2023, not 2015 as had been earlier stated, police said on Tuesday.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said gun laws introduced by the previous conservative Liberal-National coalition government following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania needed to be re-examined. Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard, who introduced the gun restrictions in 1996, said on Tuesday he didn’t want to see gun law reform become a “diversion” from the need to tackle antisemitism.

The 15 victims ranged from a rabbi who was a father of five, to a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda Britvan, according to interviews, officials and media reports. Two police officers remained in critical but stable condition in hospital, New South Wales police said.

Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, said the family was devastated by her death. “We will be forever heartbroken,” she said.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, has called on stakeholders to support her participation in local and international competitions scheduled for the coming year.

Speaking to The Citizen on Monday, December 15, 2025, Madina revealed that over the years she has largely relied on personal funds, with only minimal contributions from sponsors, to represent Tanzania abroad. Golf is among the top sports in the country, and Tanzanian golfers, especially women, are performing exceptionally well when competing internationally,” said Madina.

She emphasized that with proper sponsorship and support, athletes like her could achieve even greater success while promoting the image of Tanzanian golf worldwide. Madina, who has had an impressive run in this year’s tournaments both locally and internationally, appealed to a wide range of supporters, including individuals, private companies, government agencies, and financial institutions such as banks.

She stressed that contributions would not only help cover participation costs but also inspire and motivate athletes to continue excelling. “By sponsoring our participation in local and international tournaments, the public and institutions can play a significant role in elevating golf in Tanzania.

This support will inspire us to keep pushing our limits and showcase our talent on global platforms,” she added. The 2026 golf calendar is expected to feature several high-profile tournaments that provide opportunities for exposure, skill development, and ranking improvements.

For Madina and other Tanzanian golfers, securing sponsorship will be crucial to ensuring that the country continues to produce competitive players who can excel on international stages. With her consistent performance and dedication, Madina Idd remains a key figure in Tanzanian golf, and her appeal highlights the growing need for structured support and investment in women’s sports in the country.

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Tunduma. As the government intensifies efforts to ease congestion caused by trucks crossing the Tunduma border into Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), drivers have accused vehicle clearing agents of being the main source of delays, alleging that they prioritise bribery over efficient border facilitation.

The allegations were raised during a meeting with Songwe Regional Commissioner Jabir Omary Makame, which brought together drivers’ associations, individual drivers, and government institutions at the conference hall of the Tunduma One-Stop Border Post. The meeting sought to find solutions to the persistent queues of trucks at the border.

Speaking at the meeting, truck driver Shaibu Mohamed said that despite the government’s efforts to resolve congestion, progress remained minimal because clearing agents were at the heart of the problem, pursuing personal gain rather than efficiency. He alleged that the agents collude with owners of truck parking yards, earning Sh2,000 per truck per day while truck owners pay Sh5,000 per day for parking.

“Agents deliberately delay documentation so that the longer a truck remains in the yard, the more they earn, Sh2,000 out of every Sh5,000 paid for each parked truck,” said Mr Mohamed. The Secretary of the Tanzania Drivers’ Association, Mr Nelson Mpinzile, said clearing agents operate without following established guidelines and exploit truckers for financial gain.

He claimed that drivers who fail to pay between Sh10,000 and Sh20,000 are denied clearance, forcing them to remain at the Tunduma border for 10 to 15 days. “Regional Commissioner, I can provide you with the names of clearing companies that behave like untouchables and cause congestion.

Without controlling how these companies operate, even if a six- or eight-lane road is built, the congestion problem will persist,” said Mr Mpinzile. Another driver, Mr Hassan Yusuph, said that in addition to clearing agents, congestion is worsened by delays in processing documentation for cargo trucks from Dar es Salaam.

He explained that the problem mainly affects cargo trucks, noting that tanker trucks are less affected when documentation is processed on time, adding that systems need to be integrated and able to communicate effectively. The drivers also accused police of using force to compel them to park trucks at the Chimbuya parking yard, calling for urgent investigations into its legality, arguing that it is privately owned rather than a government facility.

1 Participants attend a meeting on truck congestion at the Tunduma border during a joint session with Songwe Regional Commissioner Jabir Omary Makame. The meeting took place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. PHOTO | DENIS SINKONDE Responding to the bribery allegations, Secretary of the Tunduma Border Post Clearing Agents, Mr Masoud Mandimbo, denied any involvement in bribery or collusion with parking yard owners, insisting that clearing agents operate in line with government regulations.

“We work closely with the Police Force to facilitate truck crossings. Clearing agents are not responsible for the congestion complained of by truck drivers,” he said, adding.

“Our main role is to find clients and represent our principals based in Dar es Salaam. We are also involved in processing documents for trucks coming from Zambia and the DRC to Dar es Salaam.

” Songwe Regional Commissioner Makame warned officials at the border against engaging in corrupt practices, urging them to deliver services with integrity and in accordance with required standards. “He also urged truck driver leaders to carry out their duties diligently, avoid fuelling conflict, and support drivers in overcoming challenges to promote unity and solidarity,” said Mr Makame.

The regional commissioner further urged leaders to relay feedback to drivers who were unable to attend the meeting, encouraging them to continue working in compliance with the law and in a fair manner. “Despite the congestion challenges outlined by drivers, the government has already begun seeking emergency funding to resolve the problem within four months at the Tunduma border,” he said, adding.

“This includes the construction of a four-lane road towards the Zambian side, as directed by the Minister for Works to the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) during a recent visit.” On December 12, 2025, during a visit to the Tunduma border, Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, instructed TANROADS to assess the Tunduma road for expansion.

Mr Ulega directed that funds be mobilised urgently, an assessment conducted and the road be expanded to allow three lanes to be constructed. He also said the ministry plans to build an additional weighbridge at Iboya to ensure all trucks travelling from Tunduma to Mbeya are weighed there, a move expected to ease congestion.

The minister further instructed TANROADS managers in Mbeya and Songwe regions to strengthen alternative routes, a measure expected to reduce traffic congestion in the area significantly. .

Kigoma. Three immigration officers, Fredrick Kyomo, Joachim Trathizius, and Mabruki Hatibu, have been sentenced to death for the murder of Enos Elias, a resident of Kakonko District in Kigoma Region, whom they suspected was not a Tanzanian citizen.

The verdict was delivered on Monday, December 15, 2025, by the High Court of Tanzania’s judge, Augustine Rwizile, who ruled that the evidence before the court proved beyond a reasonable doubt that no other person or group was involved in the killing apart from the three officers. “Based on the evidence showing how they arrested him, assaulted him, and later took him to an unknown location where he was subsequently found dead, these acts are sufficient to establish that the accused committed the offence with malice aforethought,” Judge Rwizile said.

Mr Elias was arrested by the officers at the Kihomoka checkpoint in Kakonko District on October 27, 2023, and taken to immigration offices for questioning. While in custody, he contacted his relatives and asked them to bring his National Identification Authority (Nida) card.

However, when the relatives followed up at the offices, they were informed that Mr Elias had been released on October 28, 2023. He could not be traced thereafter, and his phone was unreachable until his body was discovered on October 29, 2023, and buried without the presence of family members. How was Mr Elias identified? On November 9, 2023, the Kigoma Regional Criminal Officer (RCO) sent an officer to Kakonko to investigate Mr Elias’s disappearance, as he had last been seen in the custody of immigration officers on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

According to prosecution witnesses, Mr Elias was a Tanzanian national born in Kakonko District. His siblings, Anjelina, Advera, Levina, and Plaxeda, testified in court.

On October 27, 2023, while travelling by public transport within Kigoma Region, Mr Elias was arrested at the Kihomoka checkpoint after officers suspected that he was in the country illegally, believing he was not a Tanzanian citizen. The defendants took him to their office for questioning, where Mr Elias requested his release, insisting that he was a Tanzanian.

The officers declined, saying he did not have his NIDA card and that he would need to present a parent’s identification document. He was detained until October 28, 2023. Mr Elias contacted relatives, including Anjelina Elias, the fifth prosecution witness, and Leopard Salvatory, asking them to bring his mother’s Nida card to secure his release.

Despite claims by immigration officers that Mr Elias had been released on October 28, 2023, relatives were unable to reach him, and he was reported missing. In Chilambo Village, Kakonko District, near the Kachikiri and Kichacha hills along a route leading to Burundi, the village chairman, Mr Pius Paulo, the fifth witness, together with Yolam Kasase and Marco Joseph, discovered an abandoned body on October 29, 2023, while returning from a patrol.

They alerted police, and later that evening, Corporal Hamis, the second witness, and Sharifu Husein, a medical practitioner and the first witness, arrived at the scene. After examining the body and confirming death, village leaders decided to bury it due to the absence of identifying relatives.

Exhumation and identification On November 9, 2023, ASP Josephat Pombe, the seventh witness, was sent by the RCO’s office to assist in investigations. The following day, he came across records of a body that had been buried in Chilambo Village.

After obtaining a court order, the body was exhumed with the assistance of Mr Elias’s relatives, including his mother, and village leaders who had overseen the burial. Mr Elias’s mother identified the body as that of her son, after which the family was allowed to rebury him properly.

Investigation unfolds Following Mr Elias’s disappearance, the three officers were arrested and charged with murder. They denied the charges but were later found guilty.

Several prosecution witnesses, including relatives of the deceased, testified on how they learnt of Mr Elias’s arrest, followed up on his whereabouts, and how one of them attempted to trace his movements before fleeing. Witnesses told the court that Mr Elias had called them requesting his mother’s Nida card.

When they took the document to the immigration office, they were informed that he had already been released. Judge Rwizile said the evidence clearly established that Mr Elias had been in immigration custody before his disappearance and death.

ASP Pombe testified that entries relating to Mr Elias’s arrest had been deleted from official records, with the court concluding that the deletions were made after his body was discovered. A village guard, the sixth witness, gave crucial testimony, stating that Mr Elias was arrested on October 27, 2023, and detained at the office.

When the Nida card was not produced promptly, officers allegedly began beating him with sticks. The guard testified that Kyomo first assaulted Mr Elias with a stick, after which another officer, Mr Kapifu, questioned him about the Nida card and then beat him with a metal rod kept in the office.

At around 11 pm, Mr Elias was reportedly put into a vehicle and driven to an unknown location. About 30 minutes later, only Mr Hatibu returned, and it later emerged that Mr Elias had been killed.

Judge’s ruling In his judgment, Judge Rwizile said the sixth witness’s testimony showed that Mr Elias was beaten with a stick and a metal rod, with the first defendant initiating the assault before the others joined in. Relatives who went to follow up on Mr Elias were told that his name did not appear in the records.

Yet, when the fifth witness spoke to him at the office, Mr Elias appeared weak and complained that he had not eaten since his arrest. The court heard that Mr Elias was beaten until he weakened, then taken away in a vehicle to an unknown destination.

The judge noted that although no witness directly saw the defendants inflict the fatal blow, the circumstantial evidence was compelling. Medical evidence showed bruises on various parts of the body, with death resulting from head injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

“In view of all the evidence, the court is satisfied that the accused persons are responsible for the death of the deceased,” concluded Judge Rwizile. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has warned the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) against allowing itself to be tainted by politics, saying the military must not tolerate or shield anyone, regardless of rank, who seeks to turn it into a tool for political pressure.

President Hassan, who doubles as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Head of State, made the statement on Monday, December 15, 2025, when addressing commanders at the Air Defence Military School (SKUA) in Tanga Region. She stressed that armed forces must remain strictly separate from partisan interests, emphasising that political affiliation has no place within the institution.

“Whether one belongs to CCM, Chadema, or any other political party, the TPDF will remain an institution dedicated solely to defending the country and its people,” said President Hassan, while opening the ninth conference of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and commanders. “Politics and this institution are separate.

Strong defence is the foundation of our country’s development and peace. This slogan reflects the reality that there can be no development without peace,” she added.

President Hassan noted that, as a people’s army and a key institution in safeguarding peace at home and abroad, the TPDF has a crucial responsibility to maintain security and stability, enabling citizens to participate in development activities. In that context, she called on the force to consistently uphold and translate into action its guiding motto, strong defence is the foundation of our country’s development and peace, in strengthening national defence and security.

The President also highlighted the growing role of women within the armed forces, saying they continue to demonstrate competence and professionalism across various military fields, including aviation, engineering, and medicine. “For a long time, our army has remained exemplary in Africa and globally because of its professionalism, discipline, and obedience,” she said.

To maintain that standing, President Hassan stressed the importance of sustained investment in training and military exercises that respond to modern security threats and rapid technological change. She added that, alongside modern training and drills, close cooperation with other defence and security organs remains essential in addressing emerging challenges, including terrorism.

The conference brings together senior military commanders to review security developments, assess operational readiness, and chart priorities for strengthening the country’s defence capability in a changing regional and global security environment. .

Dar es Salaam. While Kenya’s music industry continues to evolve in its own right, Bongo Flava has steadily maintained a strong foothold in the market–an influence that in 2025 remained firmly visible across Kenyan airwaves and platforms.

With a massive 1.225 billion YouTube views coming from Kenyan fans alone, Tanzanian artistes are not just trending, they’re leading the soundtrack of an entire nation.

At the forefront of this cultural takeover is Diamond Platnumz, who continues to command unmatched attention with 143 million views. Just a heartbeat away is Harmonize, pulling in 142 million views, proving the friendly rivalry between the two giants is stronger and more entertaining than ever.

Mbosso brought his heartfelt melodies across the border with 129 million views, while Marioo, the man behind some of the year’s most addictive hits, followed closely with 128 million. Their music has made its way into matatus, clubs, campus playlists, and TikTok challenges from Nairobi to Mombasa.

The wave doesn’t stop there. Kenyan audiences showed serious love to the rest of Tanzania’s top-tier talent.

Zuchu hit 103 million views, keeping her status as one of East Africa’s most celebrated female artists. Rayvanny, known for his unstoppable energy, collected 90.3 million, while Jay Melody continued to spread romance with 68.8 million views.

The dominance expands with stars like Jux hit 55 million, Alikiba 54.7 million, Darassa at 30.9 million, Nandy hit 28.8 million, D Voice at 40.4 million, Ibraah on 20 million, and Lava Lava at 19.7 million. Even Tanzania’s gospel scene is thriving across the border.

Joel Lwaga led with 61.9 million views, followed by Rose Muhando with 39.4 million, while Zabron Singers, Christina Shusho, and Neema Gospel each pulled in millions more. What these numbers reveal is bigger than popularity it’s a cultural connection.

From bongo flava to gospel, Tanzanian music has become part of Kenya’s daily rhythm. It plays in weddings, roadside shops, gyms, radio stations, and viral social media trends.

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Dar es Salaam. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment in communication services in an effort to accelerate the country’s digital transformation drive.

Speaking during a visit to Yas Tanzania’s headquarters, the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angellah Kairuki, commended the company for its contribution to expanding digital financial transactions, improving rural connectivity, investing in communication infrastructure and creating employment opportunities. Ms Kairuki said Yas has, over the past three years, invested about $47.6 million in the National Information and Communication Technology Backbone (NICTBB), working with the government to construct 560 communication towers and ensure timely completion of the projects.

She stressed the need for communication service providers to extend services to all citizens, particularly those in rural areas, while ensuring inclusivity for women, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. The minister also noted that Yas has trained nearly 9,000 young Tanzanians, equipping them with ICT skills and supporting the growth of digital literacy nationwide.

She encouraged the company to continue investing in digital financial services, while strengthening customer data protection and expanding community education programmes. For his part, Yas Tanzania chief executive officer, Mr Pierre Canton Bacara, said the company remains committed to expanding access to reliable and secure communication services that support socio-economic development.

“As a digital ally to Tanzanians, Yas is investing in modern infrastructure, digital solutions and community empowerment to connect every citizen, bridge the digital divide and support the government’s vision of a more inclusive and digitally enabled Tanzania,” he said. Ms Kairuki reiterated that the government will continue to put in place policies and regulatory frameworks that enable companies such as Yas to grow commercially, safeguard user interests and contribute to national economic development.

She also welcomed strategic partnerships, particularly in tourism destinations and underserved areas. The visit concluded with a tour of Yas facilities, during which the minister interacted with staff and reviewed innovative projects aligned with national ICT priorities.

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