Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Tanzania has officially dropped treason charges and ordered the release of cosmetics entrepreneur Jenifer Jovin (26), popularly known as Niffer, alongside Mika Lucas Chavala.

The decision was handed down on December 3, 2025 by Senior Resident Magistrate Aaron Lyamuya, following a submission by State Attorney Titus Aron, who informed the court that the DPP had no intention of pursuing the case further. The withdrawal pertains to investigation case number 26388/2025 under Section 92(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, Chapter 20, Revised Edition 2023. “The court agrees with the request from the prosecution as submitted; therefore, I hereby release the two accused persons,” declared Magistrate Lyamuya.

This ruling brings an end to the high-profile legal proceedings against the pair, marking a significant development in Tanzania’s judicial landscape. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian golfer Nsajigwa Mwansasu has made history after winning the Division One title of the East Africa NCBA Golf Series, staged at the prestigious Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.

His victory marks a groundbreaking moment for Tanzania, earning the nation its first ever title in a tournament that attracts some of the finest golfing talent from across the region. The event also featured impressive performances from two other Tanzanian golfers, Asha Rashidi and Victoria Taiko, who added further pride to the delegation.

For Nsajigwa, the finale was far more than just another competition; it represented the culmination of months of focus, discipline and refinement. Shot by shot, he showcased strategic brilliance, choosing safer landing zones when caution was needed and taking calculated risks when opportunity presented itself.

His calmness under pressure and his ability to adjust to Muthaiga’s challenging layout captured the spirit of Maisha ni Hesabu, the belief that success grows from thoughtful and deliberate decisions. When his final putt dropped and cheers rose around the green, it symbolised a destination he had been progressing toward since the earliest qualifying rounds.

Meanwhile, Asha Rashidi and Victoria Taiko did more than simply represent Tanzania. They elevated the nation’s presence through composed swings, sharp course management and the steady momentum required to navigate demanding holes.

Their performances reflected the rising depth in Tanzanian women’s golf. They walked the fairways with confidence and purpose, carrying the hopes of a nation and the promise of a sporting ecosystem that continues to grow in strength.

This year’s finale also highlighted the remarkable evolution of the NCBA Golf Series in only five years. What began as a regional competition has developed into a dynamic talent pipeline, a platform for community building and a celebration of East Africa’s commitment to excellence.

The scale of the Series, represented by 38 qualifiers, more than 100 finalists and thousands of participants, tells one part of the story. The other part lies in the journey itself: the early morning tee offs, the determined comebacks, the lessons learned and the emotions that follow each round.

Reflecting on Tanzania’s success, Solomon Kawiche, Senior Marketing Manager at NCBA, emphasised the wider meaning of the achievement. “This victory is bigger than a trophy.

It represents the growth of Tanzanian golf, the discipline of our players and the power of continued investment in talent. Nsajigwa, Asha and Victoria have shown what becomes possible when opportunity meets hard work,” he said.

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Unguja. Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has said the Isles remain open to investors as the government pushes to deepen international partnerships and unlock untapped opportunities across key sectors.

Dr Mwinyi made the remarks on Monday, December 1, 2025, during talks with the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Swire, who led a delegation to State House in Zanzibar. He said the government has been strengthening the investment environment, with priority placed on the Blue Economy and tourism — sectors that currently contribute about 30 percent of Zanzibar’s income.

“Zanzibar still has vast opportunities that require engagement with international stakeholders and institutions,” Dr Mwinyi said, adding that the delegation’s visit offered an important platform to advance the country’s investment goals. He told the delegation that Zanzibar is ready to identify and promote investment prospects across various sectors, including trade and industry, which remain open to new entrants.

Dr Mwinyi also highlighted the potential of the Mangapwani Integrated Port, describing it as a strategic area with promising prospects in transport, oil and gas, and commercial activities. He said the government expects more investors to take interest in the project.

Lord Swire said the Commonwealth council considers Zanzibar a key partner and is ready to collaborate in areas of investment, trade and broader economic cooperation aimed at supporting growth and improving the wellbeing of citizens. The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council promotes trade and investment links among member states of the Commonwealth.

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Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania continues to absorb the shock of the October 29 unrest, and with authorities warning of renewed attempts to mobilise young people for another disturbance on December 9, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has used its 55th graduation ceremony to make a deliberate call for calm, unity and responsible citizenship.

Speaking during the fourth session of the graduation ceremony at the Mlimani City Conference Centre, on December 1, 2025, Vice Chancellor Prof William Anangisye delivered a message that resonated deeply with the moment: the country’s peace is a shared national treasure that must be protected, especially by the youth. “We do not have any other country but the United Republic of Tanzania,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to safeguard and uphold the values of our nation. Wherever we are, we must remain committed to protecting our peace, unity and cohesion.

” His comments reflect the heightened sensitivity across the nation, where recent tension has highlighted how quickly misinformation and online mobilisation can draw young people into political agitation. Government efforts over the last month have focused on reinforcing national unity, engaging the youth in dialogue and appealing for restraint-and UDSM’s voice adds academic authority to this national appeal.

The Vice Chancellor’s speech highlighted the moral obligation that comes with education, particularly during periods of public anxiety. He reminded graduates that their academic achievement increases not only their personal worth but also their responsibility to society.

“Recognise that your education has increased your value,” he said. “Who you are today is not who you were three, four or five years ago.

It is now your time to demonstrate that difference.” Prof Anangisye also warned graduates against being swayed by external influences that contradict national values.

“In your daily lives, uphold Tanzania and African morals and ethics. Leave foreign ways to those who live abroad,” he said.

His message aligns with the national leadership’s stance. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has consistently emphasised national unity, urging young people to channel their creativity, energy and courage into constructive nation-building rather than divisive causes.

Quoting the President’s earlier address to young people, Prof Anangisye reminded graduates: “Young people are the nation’s workforce; they are its protectors; they are creative, bold and courageous. They carry the country’s vision and aspirations, now and in the future.

No nation can move forward without its young people.” Education and governance experts say UDSM’s message is timely and influential.

A governance scholar, Dr Edna Mwaitete, said universities play a critical stabilising role during politically tense periods. “When young people are being targeted for mobilization, sometimes through false or distorted information, academic institutions must step in as centres of reason,” she said.

“UDSM’s message is both protective and forward-looking.” Political analyst Mr Patrick Nyangi said the university’s tone speaks directly to the demographic most at risk of manipulation.

“Educated youth are influencers in their communities,” he said. “A call for calm from such a respected institution can counter the toxic messaging circulating online.

” International relations expert Ms Grace Mwalongo added: “Tanzania has long been viewed as a pillar of peace in the region. If unrest deepens, it could affect investor confidence and international partnerships.

UDSM’s intervention therefore helps reinforce Tanzania’s diplomatic image as well.” UDSM celebrates record academic achievement Despite the tense national atmosphere, this year’s graduation brought a major academic milestone: the university recorded 139 PhD graduates, the highest in its history.

Out of these, 75 were conferred during the fourth session alone, marking a significant leap in the university’s research output. In total, 11,608 graduates completed their studies across all three sessions of the 55th graduation.

They included 9,970 undergraduates, 1,228 master’s graduates, 138 doctoral candidates, and 175 diploma holders. Women constituted 52.5 percent of all graduates, underlining the university’s progress in promoting inclusivity.

Prof Anangisye also highlighted ongoing progress in curriculum reform, digital learning expansion, international partnerships and the construction of modern academic facilities under the HEET project. The Vice Chancellor urged graduates to remain proactive even in the face of delayed employment.

“If formal jobs take time, be quick to identify other areas where your knowledge and skills can be applied effectively,” he said. Experts believe this practical guidance is vital at this moment.

“Unemployment can make young people more vulnerable to political manipulation,” Mr Nyangi noted. “Encouraging self-belief, innovation and ethical responsibility is essential.

” In Prof Anangisye’s words, knowledge must be used “to uplift the nation, not to destabilise it.” .

Brussels. However Donald Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine pans out, Europe fears the prospect of a deal sooner or later that will not punish or weaken Russia as its leaders had hoped, placing the continent’s security in greater jeopardy.

Europe may well even have to accept a growing economic partnership between Washington, its traditional protector in the NATO alliance, and Moscow, which most European governments – and NATO itself – say is the greatest threat to European security. Although Ukrainians and other Europeans managed to push back against parts of a 28-point U.

S. plan to end the fighting that was seen as heavily pro-Russian, any deal is still likely to carry major risks for the continent.

Yet Europe’s ability to influence a deal is limited, not least because it lacks the hard power to dictate terms. It had no representatives at talks between U.

S. and Ukrainian officials in Florida at the weekend, and will only watch from afar when U.

S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visits Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

“I get the impression that, slowly, the awareness is sinking in that at some point there will be an ugly deal,” said Luuk van Middelaar, founding director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics think tank. “Trump clearly wants a deal.

What is very uncomfortable for the Europeansis that he wants a deal according to great-power logic: ‘We’re the U.S.

, they are Russia, we are big powers’.” Rubio seeks to reassure Europeans U.

S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Europeans will be involved in discussions about the role of NATO and the European Union in any peace settlement.

But European diplomats take limited comfort from such reassurances. They say that just about every aspect of a deal would affect Europe – from potential territorial concessions to U.

S.-Russian economic cooperation.

The latest initiative has also triggered fresh European worries about the U.S.

commitment to NATO, which ranges from its nuclear umbrella through numerous weapons systems to tens of thousands of troops. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that Europeans no longer know “which alliances we will still be able to trust in future and which ones will be durable”.

It’s made possible by a system called Sentante that uses standard operating theater equipment and gives surgeons a tactile experience akin to a real-time operation. Despite Trump’s previous criticism of NATO, he affirmed his commitment to the alliance and its Article 5 mutual defence clause in June in return for a pledge by Europeans to ramp up their defence spending.

But Rubio’s plans to skip a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels this week may only fan European jitters, amid fears that an eastern member of the alliance may be Moscow’s next target. “Our intelligence services are telling us emphatically that Russia is at least keeping open the option of war against NATO.

By 2029 at the latest,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said last week. Europeans fear territorial concessions will embolden Putin European officials say they see no sign that Putin wants to end his invasion of Ukraine.

But if he does, they worry that any deal that does not respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity could embolden Russia to attack beyond its borders again. Yet it now seems likely any peace accord would let Moscow at least keep control of Ukrainian land that it has taken by force, whether borders are formally changed or not.

The Trump administration has also not rejected out of hand Russian claims to the rest of the Donbas region that Moscow has been unable to capture after nearly four years of war. Moreover, Trump and other U.

S. officials have made clear they see great opportunities for business deals with Moscow once the war is over.

European officials fear that ending Russia’s isolation from the Western economy will give Moscow billions of dollars to reconstitute its military. “If Russia’s army is big, if their military budget is as big as it is right now, they will want to use it again,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on Monday.

Europe struggles to exert leverage But European leaders have struggled to exert a strong influence on any peace settlement, even though Europe has provided some 180 billion euros ($209.23 billion) in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The EU has a big potential bargaining chip in the form of Russian assets frozen in the bloc. But EU leaders have so far failed to agree on a proposal to use the assets to fund a 140-billion-euro loan to Ukraine that would keep Kyiv afloat and in the fight for the next two years.

To try to show they can bring hard power to bear, a “coalition of the willing” led by France and Britain has pledged to deploy a “reassurance force” as part of postwar security guarantees to Ukraine. Russia has rejected such a force.

But even if it did deploy, it would be modest in size, intended to bolster Kyiv’s forces rather than protect Ukraine on its own, and it could only work with U.S.

support. “The Europeans now are paying the price for not having invested in military capabilities over the last years,” said Claudia Major, senior vice president for transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund of the United States think tank.

“The Europeans are not at the table. Because, to quote Trump, they don’t have the cards,” she said, referring to the U.

S. president’s put-down of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in February.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will not be lectured by foreign actors on how to manage its domestic affairs, President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared on Tuesday.

Speaking to Dar es Salaam elders, President Hassan said the country will not be intimidated by the limited foreign aid it receives from certain parties. She expressed concern that, since the general election, some external parties have been issuing directives to Tanzania on how to run its affairs.

“They say Tanzania should do this and that. Who are you? Do you think you are our masters? Is it because of the small amounts of money you give us?” she asked, drawing applause from the audience.

The President said that even the funds foreign parties claim to be providing are far less than before. “The money is not there.

It is too little. We are now talking about doing business so that while they benefit, we also benefit,” she said.

Although President Hassan did not name the entities attempting to influence Tanzania, the European Union (EU) Parliament adopted a resolution on 27 November 2025 to suspend 156 million Euros (about S00 billion) in aid earmarked for Tanzania in 2026. The government said it is closely monitoring the matter. The suspended funds represent approximately 0.

7 percent of Tanzania’s national budget for 2025/26, which stands at Sh56.49 trillion. Of this, S0.47 trillion is expected from domestic revenue, Sh1.07 trillion from foreign grants, and Sh14.95 trillion from domestic and external loans.

The government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has since confirmed ongoing negotiations with the EU, with the final decision on the cooperation resting with the EU Commission. .

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said the unrest that broke out on October 29, along with the violent incidents that followed, was not a spontaneous eruption of public anger but a carefully orchestrated operation aimed at toppling the government.

Addressing the Dar es Salaam Region Council of Elders on December 2 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), President Hassan described the events as a “manufactured” political scheme with deeper motives than initially perceived. The country is still dealing with the aftermath of the violence, which erupted shortly after the October 29 general election.

Although authorities maintain that the polls were peaceful, the days that followed saw sporadic destruction, arrests and heightened tensions. Security agencies have since warned of attempts to mobilise young people for further disturbances ahead of December 9.

President Hassan said intelligence assessments and subsequent investigations point to a coordinated plot involving planners, financiers and ground-level actors. “What took place was a manufactured event and those who planned it were determined to overthrow our government,” she said.

“This was not an accident. Those behind it aimed to topple our state.

” She described the violence as a “broad project of evil,” allegedly backed by internal and external sponsors. Participants, she said, ranged from those intentionally involved to others who were misled, enticed or paid.

The President insisted the acts of vandalism, including attacks on government projects, police infrastructure and private businesses, bore no resemblance to lawful demonstrations protected under the Constitution. “In a lawful demonstration people march peacefully with grievances, escorted by police, and disperse after delivering their message,” she said.

“What happened instead were organised riots for a specific purpose.” President Hassan also questioned the timing of the unrest, saying the fact that it occurred on election day indicated deliberate planning.

“We swore to protect this country, its borders, its people and their property,” she said. “So when some say we used excessive force, what lesser force was expected? Should we have simply watched as those plotting an overthrow succeeded?” She added that other countries have similarly acted firmly when unrest threatens constitutional order.

The President expressed concern that many young people were manipulated, with some citing misleading narratives about events abroad, including Madagascar. “Using our young people for political games is unacceptable,” she warned.

“It endangers their future and the stability of our nation.” The government says it remains committed to maintaining peace and ensuring that those responsible for orchestrating the violence face the law .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania pushing for adoption of ICT-driven solutions across the transport sector, with officials stressing that the country has every reason to accelerate the use of digital technologies to improve service delivery and enhance safety and reliability.

The remarks were made by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) head of ICT, Mr Eliud Kataraihya, on the sidelines of the Sustainable Land Transport Week, following his presentation at the event last week. Mr Kataraihya said embracing advanced technologies–particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven systems–was “no longer optional” for countries seeking to modernise their transport systems.

“Rejecting AI is like saying no to the internet in the world we have lived in over the past five to ten years,” he said. “Digital transformation is moving rapidly, and the transport industry must keep pace.

” He noted that Latra was working to ensure that emerging technologies are effectively integrated into Tanzania’s transport operations. He also extended an open invitation to innovators, researchers and industry stakeholders to collaborate with the authority in developing solutions that support a modern and sustainable transport ecosystem.

“We encourage innovators, including students, to step forward with ideas that can help the sector move to the next level,” he said. “We will soon establish an innovation hub to support young people and other stakeholders who want to contribute to ICT and innovation for the advancement of e-mobility.

” E-mobility company TR government and relations policy lead, Ms Mercy Kitomari, said integrating AI into electric vehicles would be key to transforming the country’s transport sector and ensuring reliable network communication across Tanzania’s emerging e-mobility systems. She noted that electric vehicles carry a strong message about Tanzania’s direction of travel towards cleaner mobility, but stressed that AI will be crucial in enabling this transition.

Ms Kitomari also underscored the importance of developing open APIs that allow institutions–such as Tahema and Latra–to connect seamlessly across shared digital platforms, particularly those related to vehicle-charging infrastructure. She said a functional and transparent charging network must clearly display electricity availability, access points, the number of charging sockets and geographical locations to enhance user planning and efficiency.

Digital platforms enhanced with AI, she added, will significantly improve charging processes and strengthen driver safety by reducing unnecessary manoeuvres. Ms Kitomari further emphasised the need for digital tools and platforms to be accessible in both Swahili and English, noting that smart vehicles already come equipped with intelligent features that require user-friendly systems.

She urged the public and industry players not to view AI as a luxury, but as a tool that enhances efficiency, safety and environmental protection. With motorcycle owners spending as little as Sh3,000 to travel 100 kilometres on electric bikes–compared to about Sh25,000 for fuel-powered motorcycles–she said AI-supported e-mobility offers up to 90 percent savings on operational costs while supporting environmental conservation and economic growth.

This year’s inaugural Sustainable Transport Week was organised by Latra in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport under the theme “Green transport and innovation.” .

Dodoma. The High Court’s Main Registry in Dodoma has agreed to proceed with a case filed by advocate Peter Madeleka against the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Attorney General, challenging the decision to cancel this year’s Union celebrations.

Presiding Judge Juliana Masabo on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, directed the Government to file its counter-affidavit by December 5, 2025, and set December 8 at 2pm as the hearing date. The court upheld Mr Madeleka’s submission that the President may be sued without prior notice in cases challenging executive decisions, including the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day celebrations.

Judge Masabo also underscored that although the matter carries a certificate of urgency, the procedures governing urgent applications must still be observed. Earlier, State Attorney Yohana Marco had requested seven days from today to file the Government’s counter-affidavit, a deadline that would fall on December 9.

The request was strongly opposed by Mr Madeleka, who argued that such an extension would defeat the very purpose of his application. “Your Lordship, I object to that request.

If the State Attorney’s prayer is granted, the right being pursued will be lost because the seven days fall on the ninth, which is the date in dispute. I ask that he be ordered to file the counter-affidavit within 24 hours,” he submitted.

Mr Madeleka’s case follows a statement issued by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba on November 24, 2025, announcing that the President had cancelled Tanganyika’s Independence Day celebrations and directed that the funds earmarked for the event be redirected towards repairing public infrastructure damaged during the October 29 chaos. On November 26, 2025, Mr Madeleka filed an application seeking leave to institute judicial review proceedings against the President’s decision.

The matter was initially set to be heard ex parte before Judge Masabo. However, upon receiving information about the application, the Office of the Solicitor General appeared in court, objected to the matter proceeding ex parte, and requested an adjournment to allow time to obtain and study the documents.

In his application, Mr Madeleka seeks leave to challenge the legality of the President’s decision and is requesting three substantive court orders: a declaration that the cancellation of the Independence Day celebrations was unlawful and without merit; an order compelling the President to fulfill his statutory obligations; and a prohibitory order restraining him accordingly. Mr Madeleka argues that as a Tanzanian citizen residing in Dar es Salaam, he has a right, under the law and Government procedures, to participate in and benefit from national celebrations.

He contends that the cancellation infringes upon that right .

Dar es Salaam. While Tanzania’s start-up ecosystem continues to grow, experts warn that attracting substantial international venture capital hinges on clearer legal and regulatory frameworks.

Speaking at a panel on venture capital and private equity syndications during Tanzania Start-up Week 2025, Venture Associate at African Renaissance Venture, Lexi Lei, said only a small number of venture capital firms currently have teams based in the country. “There are a few VCs sitting outside Tanzania investing here, but most of our funds are deployed elsewhere,” she said, noting that the absence of specialised legal structures for venture capital and private equity funds is the main barrier.

Ms Lei welcomed the ongoing development of the Venture Capital and Private Equity (VCP) framework by the Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), highlighting that global investors favour familiar fund vehicles such as limited partnerships with pass-through taxation. “Without these kinds of legal setups, it becomes difficult for us to operate locally, and we are forced to rely on workarounds, such as setting up offshore,” she explained.

She added that once Tanzania’s legal and tax frameworks align with global standards, capital flows would increase, enabling more funds to invest directly into local ventures and boost innovation, growth, and youth employment. Echoing her views, Africapita CEO Burak Buyuksaraa said the Tanzanian start-up landscape has made remarkable progress over the past three years, evidenced by the rise of forums, panels, and discussions supporting entrepreneurs.

However, he warned that unresolved taxation issues continue to discourage investors. “As long as capital gains taxes, double taxation, and exit challenges persist, funds will not come in.

Simple as that,” he said. Mr Buyuksaraa also noted that many stakeholders still lack clarity on the role of venture capital in strengthening national innovation systems.

He urged regulators to improve cross-agency coordination as new investment frameworks are formalised. “Many people don’t fully understand what venture capitalists do.

I hope that even within CMSA, there will be stronger inter-agency dialogue as these frameworks are finalised so that current bottlenecks can be addressed and capital integration increased,” he said. The discussions at Tanzania Start-up Week 2025 reflect a growing consensus that legal clarity, particularly regarding fund structures, taxation, and investment exits, will determine how quickly global capital enters the country’s promising start-up space.

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