Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday, December 15, 2025, struck out a bail application filed by former minister Geofrey Mwambe after he was released on police bail.

The application was withdrawn after the Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone released Mwambe, who had been in custody over criminal allegations. According to his lawyer, Hekima Mwasipu, Mwambe was being interrogated over allegations of planning to assassinate police chief.

Despite his release, Mwasipu said police have added a second allegation against his client, alongside claims of online incitement. Mwambe, who has previously served as Manyoni District Commissioner, Director of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Member of Parliament for Masasi in Mtwara Region, and later Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Investment as well as Minister for Industry and Trade, had been held by police since December 7, 2025. On December 11, 2025, through his lawyer, Mwambe filed an urgent bail application against the Inspector General of Police and two others, arguing that he had been detained unlawfully for more than 24 hours without being taken to court.

Other respondents in the case were the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Criminal Investigation Officer (ZCO). In the application, numbered 289778/2025, Mwambe asked the court to order that he be produced before it and granted bail under conditions set by the court.

The case was scheduled for hearing at 9:00 a.m.

on Monday before Chief Resident Magistrate Gwantwa Mwankuga, but it did not proceed after the court was informed that Mwambe had already been released on police bail. State Attorney Titus Aron told the court that Mwambe was released on police bail on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Lawyer Mwasipu confirmed the development and asked the court to strike out the application.

“Your Honour, the applicant was released on police bail yesterday morning. In the circumstances, we request that the application be withdrawn,” Mwasipu said.

The court granted the request and formally struck out the case. Earlier, on December 12, 2025, the Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, confirmed that Mwambe was being held over criminal allegations that were still under investigation.

Police said Mwambe was arrested on the night of December 7, 2025, at Tegeta in Dar es Salaam. Lawyer speaks on interrogation and allegations Speaking to journalists after the court session, Mwasipu said that when Mwambe was arrested, he was questioned over allegations of online incitement and later interrogated over claims that he was planning to assassinate police chief.

“The allegations he is facing are two. First, he is accused of planning to assassinate police chief, though details have not been disclosed.

The second allegation is online incitement, which has also not been clearly explained,” Mwasipu said. He added that police investigations are ongoing and that Mwambe has been ordered to report again to the ZCO office next Tuesday.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the bail application, Mwambe was arrested at his residence in Tegeta, Kinondoni District, on the night of December 7, 2025, by people who identified themselves as police officers. After his arrest, he was taken to Mbweni Police Station, where he was questioned.

He was later transferred to Central Police Station under the supervision of the ZCO, where he was interrogated again, including over the alleged plot to assassinate police chief. The affidavit states that Mwambe was later taken into custody at Kigamboni Police Station.

On December 8, 2025, lawyer Mwasipu visited him at Kigamboni Police Station, where Mwambe complained of mistreatment and being denied bail, which he said is his constitutional right. The affidavit argues that the law requires a suspect to be taken to court within 24 hours of arrest, but that Mwambe had been held for more than four days without being produced before a court or granted bail.

It adds that Mwambe has constitutional rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement and bail, and that continued detention without lawful justification caused him serious harm. In the certificate of urgency, Mwasipu stated that the matter required immediate attention because Mwambe had been detained unlawfully without being taken to court or granted police bail.

He further claimed that the continued detention caused more harm than benefit, noting that Mwambe is not a violent person and has no history of using force. Mwasipu also said that at one point Mwambe was transferred from Kigamboni Police Station to an unknown location, raising concerns about his whereabouts.

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Dar es Salaam. Zambia has reaffirmed its intention to remain a key stakeholder in Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector, saying the strong cooperation between the two countries has delivered tangible economic benefits to their citizens and to the Southern African region.

The statement was made by Zambia’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Mr Fredrick Mwalusaka, during the launch of a new container-handling machine acquired by Zambian Cargo and Logistics Limited (ZCL). The equipment will be deployed at the company’s Mukuba Centre offices at the Port of Dar es Salaam.

Speaking at the launch over the weekend, Mr Mwalusaka said the investment aims to increase cargo-handling capacity and reflects the determination of Zambian investors to strengthen the transport sector in Southern Africa and across the continent. He noted that the expansion of ZCL’s operations in Tanzania also signifies the deepening of the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, which Zambia is committed to further enhancing for their mutual benefit.

Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Transport, Mr David Kihenzile, who attended the event, said the Tanzanian government is continuing to upgrade the transport sector to better serve Zambia and Africa at large. He outlined ongoing improvements, including the expansion of berths at the Port of Dar es Salaam, the construction of the new Bagamoyo Port, the extension of the standard gauge railway (SGR) network, and the upgrading of key road infrastructure.

“Our government is determined to make the transport sector the backbone of the national economy, which is why we are investing heavily in critical infrastructure,” Mr Kihenzile said. He added that the Port of Dar es Salaam currently has 12 berths, with plans to increase the number to 22 and expand fuel storage facilities.

Mr Kihenzile also spoke about the revival of the Tazara Railway, saying the objective is to enable it to transport up to five million tonnes of cargo annually, a level that has never been achieved since its construction. Earlier, in his welcoming remarks, ZCL Chief Executive Officer Mr Vyonsi Manda said the company has benefited from strong cooperation from the governments of Tanzania and Zambia, as well as from its workforce, describing this support as the foundation of its success.

He said ZCL has recorded steady growth in recent years, noting that five years ago the company handled 15,000 containers annually, a figure that has since risen to 50,000. “With the acquisition of this new machine, we are confident that the number of containers handled each year will increase to 70,000, bringing us closer to our long-term target of handling 200,000 containers within the next 15 years,” Mr Manda said. Representatives from other institutions present at the launch, including the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (Tasac), pledged continued cooperation to ensure mutual benefits for both Zambia and Tanzania.

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Dar es Salaam. Ardhi University has committed to allocating land and supporting facilities at its main Dar es Salaam campus to develop the Chinese Professional and Technical Skills Training Centre.

The university shared its commitment recently during the launch of an Ardhi University campus initiative in Dar es Salaam. The initiative was jointly established by Ardhi University, China’s Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering (CQVIE), and the Chinese construction firm Group Six International Ltd to promote talent development and industrial upgrading in Tanzania.

The major cooperation programme injects fresh momentum into efforts to nurture and develop skills among Tanzanians, marking a significant step forward for the country in engineering education and international collaboration. The new centre will focus on Tanzania’s urgent needs in construction, engineering, and emerging industries by integrating Chinese language instruction with engineering-related vocational training, thereby equipping young people with improved language proficiency and practical technical skills.

The event was attended by Ardhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Evaristo Liwa, CQVIE Vice-President Liu Ming, and Group Six International Ltd chairman Huang Zaisheng, alongside representatives from all three parties. In his speech, Prof Liwa emphasised that the Luban Workshop has become a model of TanzaniaChina cooperation in vocational education, helping to foster a large pool of practice-oriented technical personnel.

“Ardhi University will allocate dedicated land and supporting facilities at its main campus in Dar es Salaam to further develop the Chinese Professional and Technical Skills Training Centre. This will be done while expanding the scope and depth of cooperation to strengthen the tripartite partnership,” he said.

CQVIE Vice-President and President Liu noted that the Luban Workshop has established a strong platform for vocational education exchange between China and Tanzania. “The establishment of the new training centre would further promote innovation in talent development and create additional opportunities for Tanzanian youth,” he said.

Group Six International Ltd Chairman Huang said the company will continue to support the upgrading of the Luban Workshop and the construction of the new training centre, working closely with both universities to accelerate the implementation of the TanzaniaChina Engineering Technology Institute. The three parties conducted an internal assessment focusing on the planning of teaching spaces, curriculum development, enhancement of teachers’ capacities, and improvement of facilities, laying a solid foundation for the next phase of cooperation.

As a key initiative under the Belt and Road framework, the centre is expected to train high-calibre talent with advanced engineering skills, provide strong human resource support for modern industrial development in Tanzania, and contribute to the country’s high-quality economic and social development. .

Lagos. Nigeria’s richest man Aliko Dangote escalated his fight with regulators on Sunday, accusing them of enabling cheap fuel imports that threaten local refineries.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer but relies heavily on imports and Dangote’s refinery was meant to change that. Dangote said if imports continue unchecked, they will threaten jobs, investment and energy security.

Speaking at his 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in Lagos, Dangote said imports were being used “to checkmate domestic potential”, creating jobs abroad while Nigeria struggles to industrialise. “You don’t use imports to checkmate domestic potential,” he told reporters.

Dangote called for an official inquiry into Farouk Ahmed, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, citing concerns over his management of the sector and allegations of private expenditures exceeding legitimate earnings. Ahmed did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but he has previously said Dangote refinery wants a monopoly on petroleum products sales, but the refinery’s output can not meet local demand.

Last month, the regulator urged the president to drop plans to ban imports of refined petroleum products because local output cannot meet the national demand of 55 million litres daily. Dangote disputes this, saying the regulator was distorting the refinery’s actual capacity by reporting offtake statistics instead of the true production data.

The refinery, designed to end Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and save billions in foreign exchange, says it has been unable to secure all the required crude it needs because the regulator has failed to implement a rule that guarantees crude supply to local refiners before exports Dangote said the refinery imports 100 million barrels of crude oil annually — a figure expected to double after expansion of the refinery and limited domestic supply. Despite these hurdles, Dangote vowed to continue with expansion plans for the facility and safeguard his investment, which he said is “too big to fail”.

He also reiterated plans to list the company on the local stock market and pay dividends in U.S.

dollars so “every Nigerian can own a piece of the economy.” Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, has long depended on imports due to mothballed state refineries.

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Dar es Salaam. As M23 rebels from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) take control of the border town of Uvira, 52 refugees have crossed into Tanzania’s Kigoma Region, where they are currently undergoing security screening by state authorities.

Uvira, now under the control of the M23 rebels, serves as the administrative capital of South Kivu Province. The town lies in eastern DRC and borders Tanzania through Lake Tanganyika.

The journey from Uvira to Kigoma is short, with water transport costing approximately Sh15,000. Speaking to The Citizen on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Kigoma Regional Commissioner, Ambassador Simon Sirro, said the region is fully prepared to address any security threats arising from the situation. He confirmed that security surveillance and border patrols have been intensified, particularly along Lake Tanganyika, to safeguard residents as authorities question the 52 refugees who fled the unrest.

Ambassador Sirro said preparations began immediately after reports emerged that Uvira had fallen under rebel control, with the government working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “We have been prepared from the outset.

We share a water border with the DRC through Lake Tanganyika, and we have already held discussions with UNHCR,” said Sirro, a retired Inspector General of Police. He added that defence and security organs, including the Police Force, have been reinforced and are conducting round-the-clock patrols, including operations aimed at preventing crime and armed robbery on the lake.

The 52 refugees received from the DRC are being interviewed to verify their status before being handed over to UNHCR for transfer to designated refugee camps. “We are continuing with interviews to establish whether they are genuine refugees before further steps are taken,” he said.

Sirro warned that the government remains alert to the risk of individuals entering the country with weapons by blending in with civilians. On the general security situation, Sirro assured residents that Kigoma Region remains calm and directed security committees from the village, ward and district levels up to the regional level to discharge their duties diligently.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report immediately any unfamiliar individuals or suspicious activities. “Security is the responsibility of every Tanzanian,” he said, adding that the government will continue to take all necessary measures to protect peace, citizens and their property.

Challenges facing Tanzanian driversAs Sirro issued the security update, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the DRC, Said Mshana, addressed serious security challenges facing Tanzanian drivers working in the conflict-hit areas. The newspaper shared with him a video circulating on social media showing a Tanzanian driver in Uvira lamenting the deteriorating security situation, with gunfire clearly audible in the background.

Ambassador Mshana said eastern DRC is vast and that the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu continue to face severe insecurity. Some areas are under the control of armed groups, including M23, AFC and ADF, exposing travellers and traders to grave danger.

“We consistently provide guidance to drivers and their employers, urging them to take maximum precautions when travelling in these areas,” he said. He stressed the importance of drivers understanding the security situation of their intended destinations to avoid harm caused by rebel groups.

Mshana advised that any driver encountering difficulties should immediately contact relatives or employers to facilitate communication with the embassy. He emphasised the need to know the driver’s phone number, exact location and distance from the border to enable swift intervention.

He explained that such information allows the embassy to coordinate with neighbouring countries, including Burundi or Rwanda, to secure safe and timely assistance for affected Tanzanian citizens. Since the outbreak of violence, he said, many Tanzanians have been assisted through diplomatic cooperation.

“Just recently, after being contacted, I coordinated with the Tanzanian embassy in Kigali, which helped our citizens cross from Bukavu back to Tanzania through Rwanda,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. Taifa Stars captain Mbwana Samatta and several other foreign-based players are expected to join the national team’s residential camp starting today in Cairo, Egypt, as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The Taifa Stars squad is already settled in Cairo, where head coach Miguel Gamondi has begun sharpening his team ahead of a demanding Group C campaign that will pit Tanzania against continental heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as regional rivals Uganda.

Speaking to The Citizen from Cairo yesterday, Taifa Stars head of delegation Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir confirmed that some foreign-based players have already linked up with the team, while others were completing club commitments over the weekend and are now expected to arrive. Striker Kelvin John, who plays for Aalborg BK in Denmark, joined the camp a few days ago, while midfielder Charles M’Mombwa of Floriana FC in Malta has also reported for duty.

Jabir explained that the remaining overseas-based players were granted permission to honour their club fixtures in line with international regulations. “As per the rules, players were allowed to complete their league matches with their respective clubs over the weekend.

Starting today, we expect the rest to arrive and join the camp,” said Jabir. Taifa Stars skipper Samatta, who features for French Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC, was in action yesterday as his club faced Lyon.

Midfielder Novatus Miroshi also had club duties, with his Turkish Super League side Galztepe FC taking on Gaziantep. Other foreign-based players expected to join the camp include defender Haji Mnoga of Salford City (England), Forward Simon Msuva of Al-Talaba SC (Iraq), midfielder Tarryn Allarakhia of Rochdale AFC (England), Miano Danilo of FK Panevezys (Lithuania), and Alphonse Mabula, who plays for FC Shamakhi in Azerbaijan.

Mabula is expected to arrive later today. “Most of the foreign-based players did not travel with the team in the first batch due to club engagements.

We are now completing the necessary procedures to ensure they join the camp smoothly and in accordance with the regulations,” Jabir added. Under Gamondi’s guidance, Tanzania will open their Group C campaign against Nigeria on December 23, before facing Uganda on December 27. The Stars will then conclude the group stage against Tunisia on December 30. With the gradual arrival of key overseas-based players, the technical bench hopes to build cohesion, improve match sharpness and fine-tune tactical plans as Taifa Stars chase a strong showing at the Afcon finals in Morocco.

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Nairobi. Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Masauni, has been endorsed as one of the eight vice presidents for the eighth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-8).

The endorsement followed the formal nomination process for the new UNEA Bureau, which assumes office at the close of UNEA-7 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi. Under UNEA rules of procedure, a new president, eight vice presidents and a rapporteur are elected at the end of each session.

For UNEA-8, the African Group was allocated two vice-presidential positions, both filled through endorsed nominations. Mr Masauni will serve alongside Libya’s minister of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Alarabi Munir, as the two vice presidents representing Africa.

Jamaica’s Mr Matthew Samuda is set to assume the UNEA-8 presidency, having been endorsed by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC). Other vice presidents endorsed include Fiji’s Mr Mosese Bulitavu and Sri Lanka’s Mr Dammika Patabendi from the Asia-Pacific Group; Georgia’s Ms Nino Tandilashvili and Hungary’s Ms Aniko Raisz from the Eastern European Group; Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Ms Joyelle Clarke representing GRULAC; and Germany’s Mr Jochen Flasbarth from the Western European and Others Group.

Switzerland’s Mr Felix Wertli is set to serve as rapporteur. The new Bureau will steer preparations for UNEA-8, scheduled for December 610, 2027, including agenda-setting and negotiations on global environmental priorities.

Mr Masauni’s endorsement is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s profile in multilateral environmental diplomacy, particularly on climate action, pollution and biodiversity. UNEA-7 concluded with the adoption of 11 resolutions, three decisions and a ministerial declaration addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

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Dar es Salaam. Residents of Dar es Salaam, Simiyu, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma and Arusha regions are grappling with one of the most severe water shortages in recent years, forcing households and businesses alike to adopt drastic coping measures to sustain daily life.

In Dar es Salaam, families have turned to buying bottled water for cooking, suspending activities that require large volumes of water, storing every available drop in buckets and drums, and relying heavily on privately owned wells. The shortage has reshaped routines, with many residents now planning household activities around erratic and unpredictable water supply schedules.

A 20-litre jerrycan of water in the commercial capital costs between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000, prices that many low-income households find difficult to sustain. In Morogoro, the situation is even more precarious, with some communities resorting to using contaminated water drawn from valleys and seasonal streams, raising concerns about public health risks.

The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) says production at the Lower Ruvu Water Treatment Plant has dropped sharply from 270 million litres per day to about 50 million litres, severely constraining supply to the city and surrounding areas. The authority attributes the decline to reduced water levels in the Ruvu River, compounded by prolonged dry conditions.

Earlier this month, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) attributed the rainfall deficit to La Niaa conditions, which are expected to ease by January. The country is also experiencing unusually high temperatures.

On November 21, Moshi in Kilimanjaro Region recorded 35.7C, about 4.2C above the long-term average, intensifying evaporation and water demand.

In Dar es Salaam neighbourhoods such as Goba, Mbezi and Tabata, residents say water now arrives sporadically, if at all. A Goba resident, Ms Rose Joseph, said her family keeps buckets permanently on standby but often ends up buying water when scheduled supply fails.

“Sometimes we buy a six-litre container for S,000 just for cooking. Even when salty tap water is available, long queues mean we may wait several days,” she said.

Similarly, Ms Rehema Rajab from Kimara Suka said her area has gone nearly three weeks without piped water. Households now depend on privately owned deep wells, where a bucket sells for Sh300 or more.

“For cooking, we have no option. Bottled water is essential because the salty water is unsuitable,” she explained.

In Magarisaba, landlord Mr Goodliving Emmanuel said he has advised tenants to temporarily suspend water-intensive activities such as laundry in order to conserve the limited supply. “They understand the situation, and many are relying on salty water from private wells for basic needs,” he said.

Dawasa Chief Executive Officer, Mkama Bwire, said the authority has taken several measures to mitigate the crisis, including restoring the Ruvu River to its natural course, rehabilitating boreholes and connecting them to the existing supply network. He urged residents to adopt water-saving practices, store water during the dry season and use available resources more efficiently.

Way forward Experts warn that without long-term strategies for source protection, storage and water harvesting, the crisis will continue to disrupt livelihoods and constrain economic activity. Among the proposed solutions is the construction of large reservoirs to capture and store rainwater during wet seasons.

These proposals align with the CCM 20252030 election manifesto, which pledges increased investment in boreholes and dams. Other recommendations include completing the national water grid, guiding households on installing and managing private wells, finalising major promised projects and strengthening public education on climate change adaptation.

Key strategies outlined in the National Water Policy include developing climate-resilient storage infrastructure, reducing the risks posed by droughts and floods, and exploring alternative water sources such as wastewater recycling, desalination and inter-basin water transfer systems. Speaking yesterday a senior lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, Dr Yohana Lawi, said current water supplies remain inadequate despite ongoing infrastructure improvements.

“Even during the rainy season, supply does not meet demand, and the situation worsens significantly during droughts,” he said, adding that many existing interventions are short-term. For sustainable solutions, Dr Lawi recommended sourcing water from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, completing the national water grid and promoting household-level rainwater harvesting.

He also called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector in drilling and legally managing boreholes to ensure equitable access. Environmental expert Ms Rahel Elibariki said reliance on rainfall alone is no longer viable.

“It is essential to implement storage and harvesting measures, including dams and boreholes, to meet both current and future needs,” she said, stressing that large-scale tree planting should be treated as an emergency measure to help restore natural ecosystems. Another environmental specialist, Dr Aidan Msafiri, emphasised the need for permanent, coordinated solutions.

“Planning for 2026 and beyond must start now, rather than waiting for recurring crises,” he said. He added that while policies are sound, weak implementation and limited political will continue to undermine progress, calling for shared accountability across public and private institutions.

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Dar es Salaam. Former Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club golfer Philippe Corsaletti has earned international recognition after being named among the Top 50 Kids Coaches of 2025 by US Kids Golf, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the development of young golfers.

Now based in Villeneuve-Loubet, France, Corsaletti is a member of Golf de la Vanade, where he has built a strong reputation for junior golf development. His inclusion in the prestigious list places him among elite golf educators drawn from 20 U.

S. states and 10 different countries, underlining the global significance of the honour.

The Top 50 Kids Coach Award celebrates instructors who go beyond technical teaching to create a positive, engaging, and nurturing environment for young players. According to U.

S. Kids Golf, the recognition is reserved for coaches who consistently demonstrate excellence in player development while using innovative methods and best-in-class resources to inspire the next generation.

“We celebrate these coaches because of their remarkable ability to teach golf skills while also instilling a love of the game,” said Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S.

Kids Golf. “They are not just creating really good players; they are creating lifelong players.

For a kids’ golf coach, there is no greater reward.” Established in 2004, the U.

S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Coach Award is widely regarded as the highest distinction for junior golf coaches worldwide.

Candidates are evaluated by a selection committee from among certified coaches, using a comprehensive set of criteria. These include innovation, creativity, player retention, communication skills, parental engagement, organization, and most importantly, the ability to spark and sustain a passion for the game among young golfers.

Corsaletti’s journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to youth golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development. His journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to junior golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development.

All award recipients, including Corsaletti, will be officially honoured during a special presentation on January 21 at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, one of the largest gatherings of golf professionals and industry leaders in the world. About US Kids Golf Founded in 1996, U.

S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization devoted to growing golf among youth and families.

The organization provides junior golf equipment across three distinct club lines, available in up to 10 different sizes to suit children of all ages and abilities. Through the U.

S. Kids Golf Foundation, more than 1,600 tournaments are hosted annually worldwide, including the prestigious U.

S. Kids Golf World Championship held each year in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The Foundation also runs a global Coaches Institute with over 1,800 members, and owns Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, a pioneering facility described as a “living laboratory” for innovative golf practices. In recognition of its impact, U.

S. Kids Golf was named among the Top 100 Businesses in Golf by the National Golf Foundation in both 2018 and 2020, based on influence, innovation, and social good.

Corsaletti’s achievement stands as a proud milestone for junior golf development and a powerful reminder of the global reach of the game. .

Dar es Salaam. As rainfall across Tanzania becomes increasingly erratic, delayed and insufficient, the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (Agcot) has issued an urgent advisory calling on farmers to place soil health at the centre of their climate-change response.

Agcot warns that declining and unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures now pose a structural threat to agricultural productivity rather than a temporary setback. While expanding irrigation remains important, the organisation says it is no longer sufficient on its own and must be complemented by climate-smart approaches, particularly deliberate investment in soil health.

These include the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, improved seed capable of escaping drought, and farming systems that protect soil structure and organic matter. The advisory builds on experience gained during Agcot’s earlier operations as Sagcot, when, in collaboration with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (Tari), it conducted field trials on soil-health-based farming systems.

According to Agcot, results consistently showed that farms which protected soil structure and organic matter performed significantly better under conditions of low and unreliable rainfall. The organisation says the guidance reflects realities observed across smallholder farms nationwide, including the Coastal Belt, Central regions, Northern Highlands and Lake Zone.

Continued exposure of soil without protective cover has been identified as a major cause of erosion, loss of fertile topsoil, rapid moisture depletion, destruction of soil biodiversity and declining crop yields. The advisory comes as Tanzania again faces reduced rainfall linked to the La Niaa climate phenomenon, which meteorological experts associate with delayed onset of rains, prolonged dry spells and episodes of intense heat, particularly in Coastal and Central zones.

These conditions have increasingly resulted in what experts describe as a “green drought”, where crops germinate after early rains but fail mid-season due to poor moisture retention. Agcot says farmers who invest in soil health are far better positioned to withstand such conditions, as healthy soils store moisture and nutrients, allowing crops to survive extended dry spells and reducing the risk of total crop failure even when rainfall is below average.

Field observations cited in the advisory show widespread cases of young maize crops growing on bare soil without any residue cover. Although such soils may still be productive, direct exposure to intense sunlight leads to rapid drying, early plant stress and stunted growth.

Agcot notes that this is no longer a localised problem but a national challenge requiring a shift in land management practices. As a response, the organisation is urging a decisive transition to Conservation Agriculture, anchored on continuous soil cover, reduced soil disturbance and crop diversification.

Maintaining even a thin soil cover through retained residues or mulch helps lower soil temperatures and reduce moisture loss, while reduced ploughing preserves soil structure and improves water infiltration. Crop rotation and intercropping with legumes such as pigeon pea, lablab and velvet bean also enhance soil fertility and moisture retention.

Agcot highlights particular challenges in sandy soils, especially in Coastal and Central Tanzania, where rapid drainage limits moisture availability. It notes that many soils have organic carbon levels below 0.

3 percent, far below the minimum 0.7 percent required for resilience.

Through the use of cover crops, manure, compost and biochar, farmers can raise soil carbon levels within three to four years. For the first time, Agcot is strongly promoting biochar as a practical and affordable solution, especially in rice-growing areas where husks are often burned or discarded.

When properly carbonised and incorporated into the soil, biochar turns agricultural waste into a long-term reservoir for water and nutrients. Research from Tari stations in Tumbi, Ilonga, Selian and Mbinga shows that combining soil cover, conservation tillage and water-harvesting practices can double or even quadruple maize yields during drought years, while enabling crops to survive up to two weeks longer without rainfall during mid-season dry spells.

The advisory aligns with the Tanzania Agriculture Master Plan 2050 and broader continental efforts to restore soil health as the foundation of sustainable growth. Agcot Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Kirenga said soil health must now be treated as a strategic priority.

“The time has come for farmers to give soil health the same importance we have long given to improved seed and fertiliser,” he said. “Without living, protected soil, no technology can save our crops.

” Agcot is calling on farmers, extension officers, research institutions and development partners to mainstream Conservation Agriculture practices, warning that leaving soil bare leads to direct economic losses and perpetuates low productivity and rural poverty. .