Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has launched investigations into 66 projects after identifying irregularities during its review of public resource utilisation.

The 66 projects form part of 913 projects found to have deficiencies out of a total of 1,864 audited by the institution in the 2024/25 financial year. According to the PCCB, the total value of the monitored projects stands at Sh14.3 trillion, an increase from the 2023/24 financial year, when 1,773 projects worth Sh11.4 trillion were reviewed.

The remarks were made on Monday, March 30, 2026, by PCCB Director General, Mr Chrispin Chalamila, while presenting the institution’s 2024/25 report to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Dar es Salaam State House. Among the projects reviewed are the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative and the construction of water infrastructure under 30 projects managed by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Ruwasa), valued at Sh187.1 billion across several regions.

Others include 28 initiatives under the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), worth S3 billion, compensation to residents affected by the expansion of Serengeti National Park in Bunda, and the construction of dormitories worth S.3 billion in Katavi and Rukwa regions, including Mpanda District.

Out of the 1,864 projects reviewed, the PCCB identified irregularities in 913, of which 66 have been subjected to formal investigation. Mr Chalamila said that in the 2023/24 financial year, 92 projects were investigated, indicating a decline in the number requiring investigation due to improved monitoring efficiency by the bureau.

He cited weak contract management as a major concern, leading to projects being implemented contrary to contractual agreements and contractors being paid for incomplete work. Other irregularities include failure to withhold taxes in some projects, non-compliance with public procurement laws, poor quality of work and materials, and overpayments beyond contractual terms.

Mr Chalamila emphasised that the issues are recurring and called on project managers to strengthen oversight to prevent persistent deficiencies. Meanwhile, the PCCB’s monitoring efforts have contributed to an increase in revenue collection by more than Sh8.6 billion annually across 40 local government authorities analysed.

Initial collections stood at Sh97.8 billion but rose to Sh106.4 billion following the bureau’s intervention. .

Dar es Salaam. For decades, Africa, Tanzania included, has been told how to conserve its own land, forests and wildlife, with policies drafted abroad, research agendas set elsewhere and solutions imported with little regard for local realities, The Citizen has learnt.

The result is a growing crisis: conservation efforts that often protect nature on paper fail people on the ground. Available testimonies show that across the continent, communities have been pushed out of ancestral lands, labelled as threats to wildlife, or excluded from decisions about resources they have managed for generations.

At the same time, Africa’s vast natural wealth continues to serve global environmental goals, sometimes at the expense of local development. It is this imbalance that has now triggered a strong response from Africa’s top brains in environment and conservation.

At the University of Dar es Salaam on Friday, some of the continent’s leading thinkers gathered for a two-day symposium, not just for discussion, but to confront what many now see as a broken conservation model. The urgency was clear: if Africa does not redefine conservation on its own terms, it risks losing both its resources and its voice.

The roots of the problem, they said, stretch back decades. Since global agreements like the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, Africa has been placed at the centre of global environmental campaigns.

Today’s targets, such as conserving 30 percent of the Earth by 2030, continue this trend. But while these initiatives promise global benefits, experts say they often ignore local needs.

This has given rise to what is commonly called “parachute science”, where researchers and organisations from outside Africa lead conservation efforts, using their own frameworks and priorities. According to participants, this approach has sidelined African knowledge, weakened local ownership and in some cases worsened conflicts between people and conservation authorities.

A scholar from the University of Cape Town, Prof Maano Ramutsindela, did not mince words. “We need to reclaim our voices and define what conservation should mean for us,” he said.

He pointed to a deeper issue, one that goes beyond external influence. “We have been self-alienated We no longer value the knowledge our forefathers used to live with nature,” he said.

Prof Maano Ramutsindela of the University of Cape Town speaks during the symposium at the University of Dar es Salaam on March 27, 2026, where he called for Africa to reclaim its voice and redefine conservation using local knowledge and priorities. PHOTO| COURTESY His message struck at the heart of the debate: Africa’s conservation problem is not only about outside control, but also about losing confidence in its own systems.

Experts warned that this has come at a high cost. When conservation ignores local knowledge and excludes communities, it often fails.

In many parts of Africa, people see conservation as something imposed on them, not something they are part of. This weakens trust, fuels resistance and undermines long-term success.

For Tanzania, the issue is especially important. The country is globally recognised for its rich wildlife and natural landscapes, which support tourism and livelihoods.

The Director of Aga Khan University’s (AKU) Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre, Prof Emmanuel Sulle, said, “We must ask whether our education and systems prepare Tanzanians to understand and manage their own environment,” he said. He stressed that real change must start with people.

“Citizens are the primary conservers- they must be at the front in deciding how conservation is done and how benefits are shared.” This idea, putting people first, was a key theme throughout the discussions.

Scholars further argued that conservation cannot succeed without the full involvement of local communities. They are not just beneficiaries, but key partners with knowledge, experience and a direct stake in protecting resources.

The Principal, College of Social Science at UDSM, Prof Christine Noe, echoed this view, calling for stronger collaboration between scholars, policymakers and communities. “We want a voice that comes from Africa to drive the conservation agenda,” she said.

But the shift being called for is not about rejecting global partnerships. Instead, it is about changing the balance.

African institutions, scholars and communities must lead, while international partners support rather than dominate. Participants also pointed to the need to combine indigenous knowledge with modern science.

Traditional practices, often dismissed as outdated, have helped communities survive droughts, floods and environmental changes for generations. “When combined with today’s technology, they can offer powerful solutions to climate and conservation challenges,” said Prof Maano.

The discussions in Dar es Salaam signal that change is underway. African scholars are no longer content to play a supporting role.

They are stepping forward to shape the agenda, define the problems and design the solutions. .

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania begins an 87-day parliamentary budget session, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to confront a long-standing legal contradiction: a law that still permits girls as young as 14 to marry.

The debate has resurfaced amid growing concern over children’s rights, with religious leaders, legal experts, and activists calling for urgent reform of the country’s Marriage Act of 1971. At the centre of the controversy are provisions allowing a girl to marry at 15, or even 14, with parental or court consent, an exception critics say continues to fuel child marriage in parts of the country. Speaking at a public dialogue organised by Msichana Initiative in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, March 28, 2026, religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian communities were united in their stance: faith does not condone child marriage.

The National Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata), National Executive Council’s chairman, Sheikh Khamis Mataka, said the law contains dangerous loopholes that undermine efforts to protect children. “While there are clear regulations for students who become pregnant, the law remains silent on students being married.

This is a serious gap,” he said. “As long as these legal provisions exist, they legitimise child marriage.

We need explicit clauses prohibiting students from marrying,” he added. Religious leaders and stakeholders emphasised that education remains the most effective tool in delaying early marriages.

Under Tanzania’s Education and Training Policy of 2014 (revised 2023), children are expected to start primary school at six and complete secondary education by 18, an age widely recognised as adulthood. “If this policy is fully implemented, most children will finish school at 18. That alone would significantly reduce child marriage,” noted Sheikh Mataka.

He stressed that Islamic teachings prioritise maturity, education, and the prevention of harm before entering marriage. “Islam recognises the importance of education and insists on preventing harm before pursuing benefits.

Children must be educated first,” he said. Drawing comparisons, he noted that countries such as Egypt set the minimum marriage age at 18, while Indonesia sets it at 21 for men and 19 for women, though challenges persist there as well.

Christian teachings echo similar principles. Speaking on behalf of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Father Longino Rutagwelera said marriage is a sacred institution meant for mature individuals capable of making informed decisions.

“God intends for people to marry when they are mature and fully understand their responsibilities,” he said. He added that marriage must be entered freely, without coercion, and with readiness to assume family obligations.

For years, child rights advocates have pushed to amend the Marriage Act to set 18 as the minimum age for both boys and girls, without exceptions. In 2016, the High Court ruled in favour of raising the minimum marriage age to 18. However, implementation has stalled, leaving the current law unchanged.

A lawyer with Msichana Initiative, Ms Lucy Gidamis, said reforming Sections 13 and 17 of the Act is critical. “We urge the government and Parliament to amend these provisions to align with international child rights standards and protect girls from the harms of early marriage,” she said.

She added that religious leaders’ involvement is key, given their influence in shaping community attitudes. “Legal reform alone is not enough.

We need a shift in societal mindset, and that requires collective action,” she said. As Parliament convenes to debate the national budget, campaigners argue the issue of child marriage must not be sidelined.

They say the contradiction between the education policy, aimed at keeping children in school until 18, and a marriage law that allows them to wed much earlier exposes a policy gap that urgently needs fixing. For many, the coming weeks present a crucial opportunity for Tanzania to align its laws with its development ambitions and decisively protect the future of its girls.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s drive towards a modern, digital economy is gathering pace, with the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) emphasising that efficient and inclusive payment systems are central to economic transformation and financial inclusion.

Deputy Governor in charge of Economic and Financial Policies, Dr Yamungu Kayandabila, made the remarks while addressing Master of Business Administration (MBA) students from Stanford University during their visit to the Bank in Dar es Salaam. “Payment systems contribute to inclusive economic growth by enabling payments and settlements that support supply chains and underpin financial sector stability,” Dr Kayandabila said.

He said that well-functioning systems not only facilitate day-to-day transactions but also improve the effectiveness of monetary policy. “Efficient, secure and inclusive payment systems enhance the transmission of central bank interest rate decisions and strengthen liquidity management across the economy,” he added.

Dr Kayandabila outlined the history of Tanzania’s payment system reforms, noting that modernisation began in the mid-1990s as part of broader financial sector reforms. Prior to this, cash and paper-based processes dominated, with cheque clearing taking up to 14 days in upcountry areas and seven days in Dar es Salaam.

The turning point came in 1996 when BoT launched the National Payment Systems Reform Project, transitioning to electronic systems aligned with international standards. The central bank continues to monitor global payment innovations and collaborate with regional and international partners to adopt best practices while safeguarding financial stability and consumer interests.

Meanwhile, Director of National Payment Systems, Ms Lucy Shaidi, highlighted key achievements up to 2025, including rapid growth in instant payments, mobile financial services and interoperable platforms. “These developments are driving Tanzania towards a more inclusive, efficient and increasingly digital financial system,” she said.

Among the milestones is the Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS), which allows users to send and receive money instantly across different financial institutions, reducing costs and expanding access for individuals and businesses. The system represents a major step forward in Tanzania’s journey towards a fully digital and inclusive economy.

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Dar es Salaam. For Pendo Bigambo, agriculture has never been only about what happens in the field.

It is about what happens after harvest-where food security is protected or lost, where incomes are secured or reduced and where women’s invisible labour finally has the chance to be recognised. For more than two decades, she has worked quietly but consistently behind national agricultural systems, helping shape policies, training programmes and standards that reduce post-harvest losses and improve food safety across Tanzania.

Yet beyond the technical achievements, her deeper contribution lies in ensuring women farmers, who carry much of the responsibility for post-harvest handling, are not left behind in the country’s agricultural transformation. She currently works as Principal Agriculture Officer at the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (Copra).

Her journey reflects the spirit of this year’s The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative theme: Give to Gain, Elevate Her Rise. Rather than focusing on personal recognition, she has spent her career strengthening systems that allow others to succeed.

“Success has never been about me alone,” she says thoughtfully. “It has always been about building structures that support other people to move forward,” she says.

Her leadership style is shaped less by visibility and more by purpose ensuring policies respond to real farmers’ needs and that women gain equal space within agricultural value chains. That mindset did not begin in boardrooms or policy meetings.

It started at home. Raised in a family where education, discipline and responsibility were strongly valued, Pendo grew up understanding that achievement carried obligations beyond the individual.

Her parents encouraged curiosity and independent thinking and their home often welcomed relatives pursuing education opportunities. “I learnt early that growth becomes meaningful when it includes others,” she recalls.

“That lesson stayed with me.” Those values continued to guide her through university and into public service.

At the Sokoine University of Agriculture, she built a strong technical foundation in horticulture. Later, her Master’s degree in International Trade at the University of Dar es Salaam expanded her understanding of markets and agricultural systems beyond production itself.

Together, the two fields strengthened her ability to connect farm-level realities with national-level planning. But she insists her journey has never been a solitary one.

“I have come this far through support from family, mentors and colleagues,” she says. “No one succeeds alone.

” Since joining the Ministry of Agriculture in 2004, Pendo has played an important role in strengthening Tanzania’s post-harvest management systems, an area that often receives less public attention than production but remains critical for food security and farmer livelihoods. Across the country, a significant share of food losses occurs after crops leave the field.

Poor storage, limited processing capacity and inadequate market preparation can reduce both food availability and farmer incomes. For women farmers especially, these losses affect daily household welfare directly.

Her work has contributed to the development of national guidelines on post-harvest handling of fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses, as well as strategies promoting safer storage, improved processing and stronger market linkages. “When farmers reduce post-harvest losses, they protect both their income and their household food supply,” she explains.

“That change is especially important for women.” Through nationwide training programmes for extension workers and farmers, she has helped strengthen practical knowledge on post-harvest handling, cold-chain management and food safety, including aflatoxin control.

These trainings continue to reach communities across the country, ensuring technical information translates into everyday farming practice. It was during this field work that she began noticing a pattern that would shape the direction of her career.

Women were doing most of the post-harvest work–but they were rarely involved in decisions about technologies, markets or training opportunities. “I saw women working extremely hard after harvest,” she says.

“But they were not always part of the decisions that affected their work.” That realisation pushed her to look beyond technical solutions and begin integrating gender perspectives into agricultural planning processes.

Her involvement in developing national guidelines on gender mainstreaming in aflatoxin control marked a turning point. Although she was not initially trained as a gender specialist, her experience working closely with farmers helped her recognise the importance of designing policies that reflected women’s realities.

“That is when I understood inclusion must be intentional,” she explains. Working alongside gender practitioners and development partners strengthened her ability to translate this understanding into practice.

Training programmes were redesigned to ensure women participated actively and gained skills that strengthened their confidence and bargaining power within markets. “When women participate equally in training, the benefits reach entire households,” she says.

Today, her influence extends beyond training programmes into national planning systems themselves. As a departmental budget officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, she contributes to the preparation of annual plans and resource allocations that shape agricultural priorities across the country.

By working with gender-disaggregated data, she helps identify gaps affecting women farmers and advocates investments that respond directly to those needs. For her, gender-responsive budgeting is not simply a reporting exercise.

“Inclusion must begin at the planning stage,” she says. “If it does not, women remain invisible during implementation.

” Her contribution to strengthening extension systems nationwide continues to improve farmers’ access to safer storage practices, better processing techniques and market-oriented production skills. Across communities, more farmers–particularly women–are adopting improved handling methods that reduce losses and improve produce quality.

The results may appear gradual, but they are meaningful. Women who once struggled to preserve produce after harvest are now engaging more confidently in markets and making better use of available technologies.

“These changes take time,” she says. “But when they happen, they transform livelihoods.

” One of the most significant milestones in her career came through the Lishe Endelevu Project implemented with support from Save the Children. In 2019, she successfully mobilised resources that led to the preparation of eight national guidelines on Good Agricultural Practices and best post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables.

The guidelines were launched during World Food Day in October 2020 and are now supporting improved food handling and nutrition practices across several regions. “It was encouraging to see communities begin adopting improved practices,” she says.

“These changes contribute to healthier families.” In some areas, schools have started producing vegetables for feeding programmes, while households are gradually diversifying diets beyond traditional staples.

Although nutrition outcomes depend on many factors, she believes improved production and handling practices are helping shape positive change at community level. Her collaboration with organisations including Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, the Aga Khan Foundation, FAO and Sokoine University of Agriculture has further strengthened extension training systems across multiple regions.

Through these partnerships, extension workers and lead farmers have gained skills in climate-smart agriculture, maize post-harvest management, vegetable handling and rice quality improvement for better markets. Such collaboration, she believes, is essential for agricultural transformation.

“No institution can work alone,” she says. “Partnerships make progress possible.

” Beyond training systems, her influence also extends into agricultural standardisation through her role as a technical committee member at the Tanzania Bureau of Standards. There, she contributes to the formulation and revision of national, East African and continental standards for cereals, pulses and their products–work that strengthens food safety and improves market competitiveness.

Participation in regional harmonisation meetings and international platforms such as the All Africa Postharvest Management Congress and Exhibitions in Addis Ababa has further strengthened her policy engagement beyond national borders. “International platforms allow us to learn from each other,” she says.

“They help strengthen our national systems.” Despite her policy-level responsibilities, she remains closely connected to farmers themselves through training programmes and nationwide assessments of post-harvest losses across food crop value chains.

Her involvement ensures strategies remain grounded in real experiences from the field. She has also supported training programmes on fruit and vegetable processing–an area increasingly opening income opportunities for women engaged in small-scale agribusiness.

“When farmers add value to their produce, they strengthen household resilience,” she explains. Over the years, her dedication has been recognised through several honours, including the Best Worker award in the Department of National Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture and the Best Student in Plant Protection award at Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Yet she views recognition not as a destination but as encouragement to continue serving. “These achievements reflect teamwork,” she says.

“They motivate me to keep supporting others.” Mentorship remains one of the strongest pillars of her leadership approach.

She believes experienced professionals carry responsibility to guide younger generations, particularly women entering technical careers in agriculture. “Mentorship creates confidence,” she says.

“It helps young women believe they can succeed.” Through her continued engagement with extension workers, farmers and development partners, she encourages young professionals to see agriculture not as a fallback option but as a sector of innovation, opportunity and leadership.

“Agriculture is transforming,” she says. “Young people must position themselves to benefit from that transformation.

” Looking back, Pendo identifies two influences that shaped her journey most strongly: the values she learnt growing up in a supportive family environment and her close interaction with farmers across Tanzania. Together, they strengthened her commitment to practical solutions that improve livelihoods while strengthening national systems.

Her message to women facing uncertainty in their careers reflects both experience and hope. “Growth is not always linear,” she says.

“Sometimes it is an opportunity to reflect, learn new skills and reposition yourself.” Through policy leadership, farmer training and gender-responsive planning, she continues to demonstrate that when one woman rises with purpose, she creates pathways for many others to rise with her and in doing so, strengthens the future of agriculture itself.

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Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) have received a timely morale boost following the return to training of key strikers Prince Dube and Laurindo Aurelio, popularly known as “Depu,” ahead of the upcoming Tanzania Mainland Premier League fixtures.

The duo’s return comes after a short break, with the team now back in training under head coach Pedro Gonaalves, who is assisted by Abdihamid Moallin. Their presence has lifted spirits within the squad as Yanga intensify preparations for the crucial matches ahead.

Also spotted in the training sessions is forward Clement Mzize, while several players, including Dickson Job, Edmund John, Ibrahim Hamad, and Israel Mwenda, are yet to rejoin full training. The Jangwani Street-based side have now entered a residential training camp as they sharpen their form ahead of their next league assignment against Tanzania Prisons.

The match is scheduled to take place on April 4 at the KMC Complex, kicking off at 6:30pm. Following that encounter, Yanga will travel to Mwanza for another challenging fixture against Pamba Jiji FC on April 8 at the CCM Kirumba Stadium.

Speaking to The Citizen, one of the club’s leaders expressed optimism over the team’s progress, noting that players are responding well in training despite the sessions currently being light as they build fitness. “The players are in good condition and training well.

At the moment, the sessions are not very intense as we monitor their recovery, but the signs are encouraging,” he said. He added that the club’s medical team is closely assessing the players and will soon submit detailed reports to the technical bench, which will determine when each player is ready to return to full competition.

Yanga currently sit at the top of the league standings with 38 points from 16 matches, underlining their strong title defence campaign. The Jangwani Street giants are beginning to feel the pressure as the league standings tighten, with their traditional rivals Simba closing in on the summit.

The title race is becoming increasingly competitive, leaving little room for complacency at the top. Simba currently sit second with 31 points from 14 matches, putting them within touching distance of the leaders.

Their consistent run of results has significantly reduced the gap and shifted momentum in what is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Should Simba win their next two matches and level the number of games played with Yanga, they would move to within just one point of the leaders.

Such a scenario would intensify the pressure on Yanga, who have enjoyed a relatively comfortable lead for much of the season. .

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) have received a timely morale boost following the return to training of key strikers Prince Dube and Laurindo Aurelio, popularly known as “Depu,” ahead of the upcoming Tanzania Mainland Premier League fixtures.

The duo’s return comes after a short break, with the team now back in training under head coach Pedro Gonaalves, who is assisted by Abdihamid Moallin. Their presence has lifted spirits within the squad as Yanga intensify preparations for the crucial matches ahead.

Also spotted in the training sessions is forward Clement Mzize, while several players, including Dickson Job, Edmund John, Ibrahim Hamad, and Israel Mwenda, are yet to rejoin full training. The Jangwani Street-based side have now entered a residential training camp as they sharpen their form ahead of their next league assignment against Tanzania Prisons.

The match is scheduled to take place on April 4 at the KMC Complex, kicking off at 6:30pm. Following that encounter, Yanga will travel to Mwanza for another challenging fixture against Pamba Jiji FC on April 8 at the CCM Kirumba Stadium.

Speaking to The Citizen, one of the club’s leaders expressed optimism over the team’s progress, noting that players are responding well in training despite the sessions currently being light as they build fitness. “The players are in good condition and training well.

At the moment, the sessions are not very intense as we monitor their recovery, but the signs are encouraging,” he said. He added that the club’s medical team is closely assessing the players and will soon submit detailed reports to the technical bench, which will determine when each player is ready to return to full competition.

Yanga currently sit at the top of the league standings with 38 points from 16 matches, underlining their strong title defence campaign. The Jangwani Street giants are beginning to feel the pressure as the league standings tighten, with their traditional rivals Simba closing in on the summit.

The title race is becoming increasingly competitive, leaving little room for complacency at the top. Simba currently sit second with 31 points from 14 matches, putting them within touching distance of the leaders.

Their consistent run of results has significantly reduced the gap and shifted momentum in what is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Should Simba win their next two matches and level the number of games played with Yanga, they would move to within just one point of the leaders.

Such a scenario would intensify the pressure on Yanga, who have enjoyed a relatively comfortable lead for much of the season. .

“Would you still love me if I were a worm?” No, absolutely not. That is, at least, what The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka suggests.

It is a question that may sound absurd but carries deeper philosophical weight. The story opens with Gregor Samsa waking one morning and realising he has transformed into a giant insect.

At first, he thinks it is a bad dream. It cannot be real.

His immediate concern is that he will be late for work as a travelling salesperson. “What’s happened to me?” he thought.

It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room, although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

It is striking how Gregor worries about his job in his current state. One would expect him to focus on how to get himself out of such a situation.

But it is not entirely surprising when your identity has been shaped by what you provide. Gregor is the sole breadwinner.

He supports his ageing parents and his younger sister, who dreams of going to music school. His life has been built around being useful to others.

Gregor’s story reflects something many of us recognise. When asked to describe ourselves, we often turn to roles.

A teacher. A mother.

A job title. Rarely do we sit with who we are outside of what we do.

And I am not pointing a finger. I have found myself asking the same question.

Who am I when all of this is stripped away? As the provider, Gregor has carried his family without question. At one point, he wonders how different things might feel if someone helped him.

But when his family discovers what he has become, their concern quickly shifts. It is not about how to help Gregor.

It is about what his condition means for them. For the first time, they face the possibility of having to work and support themselves.

“Should he really call for help, though? Despite all the difficulties he was in, he could not suppress a smile at this thought.” There is something painful in this moment.

The hesitation. The awareness that even in his worst state, asking for help does not come naturally.

It reflects an understanding that the care he gave may not be returned. Kafka does not state it directly, but the story raises an uncomfortable possibility.

In some relationships, love can begin to look conditional. That usefulness can become the measure of worth.

It is not always said, but it can be felt. Gregor’s absence from work is treated with suspicion almost immediately.

A man who has never missed a day is questioned within hours. It forces a difficult question.

What is the point of constant sacrifice if it holds so little weight the moment you can no longer perform? As Gregor’s condition does not change, his family begins to adjust to life without him. Their initial concern fades into frustration, then into rejection.

What was once care becomes tolerance, and eventually, a desire to move on without him. One of the most difficult things to witness is Gregor’s own response.

Even in this state, he thinks of his family. He worries about being a burden.

He does not turn inward to ask what remains of him beyond what he can provide. There is a kind of hopelessness in him, one that feels less like acceptance and more like being stuck.

This short novella is simple in form but heavy in what it carries. It explores identity, belonging, social isolation, self-erasure, and the loss of purpose.

It leaves questions rather than answers. What does it mean to be human when everything that once defined you is gone? This is also a story that invites personal interpretation.

Gregor’s transformation can be read in many ways. For some, it may reflect mental health struggles.

For others, it may point to serious illness or even disability. Regardless of how one reads it, the question it raises remains unsettling.

How are you treated when you can no longer function as you once did? How do the people around you respond when you need care instead of providing it? What happens when you are no longer useful at work? It becomes a question of how disposable human beings can feel in certain conditions. This may not be true in every case, but it happens often enough to be difficult to ignore.

Kafka does not offer comfort. But the story invites you to look more closely at your own life.

To question what you hold onto. To ask where your sense of self truly comes from.

Because if it is built only on what you give, what remains when you can no longer give at all? Jane Shussa is a digital communication specialist with a love for books, coffee, nature, and travel. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Kigoma. The Attorney General (AG) has raised legal questions in an election petition contesting the victory of Kigoma Urban MP Clayton Chipando, popularly known as Baba Levo (CCM), over security for election costs.

The dispute centres on the legality of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) providing free legal assistance to petitioners Johary Kabourou, Loum Mwitu, Pendo Kombolela, and Luma Akilimali. The AG argues TLS lacked the authority to offer such assistance.

The petitioners are represented by Advocate John Seka, appointed by TLS, but the AG has questioned the society’s authority to provide such legal assistance. Through Senior State Attorney Marko Mulwambo, the AG filed an application seeking an extension of time to register a review application against the High Court in Kigoma’s December 16, 2025, decision dismissing their preliminary objection.

The first respondent, the Returning Officer for Kigoma Urban Constituency, and the third respondent, the AG, had filed two preliminary objections when the petition was lodged, including one regarding security for election petition costs. They argued the Court lacked jurisdiction to set a hearing date because security for costs had neither been applied for nor paid, contrary to Sections 140(2), (3), (5) and (7) of the Elections Act, 2024. The AG requested that the petition be struck out, insisting that the procedure for applying for security for costs had not been followed, despite the advocate’s appointment by TLS.

However, Justice Projestus Kayhoza dismissed their objections, along with three others filed by Baba Levo’s advocates, Mr Daniel Rumenyela and Emmanuel Msasa. “After analysing all preliminary legal objections submitted by the respondents, I declare that all those objections lack legal merit and substance and, therefore, I dismiss them,” said the Judge.

AG’s new argument In a fresh application filed on March 2, 2026, and determined through an interlocutory ruling by Justice Augustine Rwizile of the High Court, Kigoma Sub-Registry, on March 27, 2026, the AG raised a new issue regarding TLS’s legality. The application is against the first to fourth respondents, Johary Kabourou, Loum Mwita, Pendo Kombolela, and Luma Akilimali, and Baba Levo as the fifth respondent.

Justice Rwizile explained that the application, filed under Section 14(1) of the Limitation Act, Chapter 89, Revised Edition 2023, and Section 105 of the Civil Procedure Code, Chapter 33, Revised Edition 2023, was under a certificate of urgency with an affidavit from Advocate Mulwambo. The AG argued that at the time of the Court’s December 16, 2025, decision, TLS was assumed to have authority to provide legal assistance.

Official clarification from the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs on February 12, 2026, showed TLS’s registration had expired on April 28, 2022, leaving it without legal mandate in 2025. The applicants said this constitutes new evidence not available when the decision was made. Section 14(1) of the Limitation Act allows the Court discretionary power to extend time in proceedings, exercised judiciously according to justice and law.

The Judge noted the applicants began seeking confirmation from the Ministry on December 12, 2025, and received the full response on February 12, 2026, confirming TLS lacked valid registration as of November 14, 2025. They filed the present application after receiving this information, citing diligence and seriousness in pursuing their legal right despite a 29-day delay. Respondents’ submissions Through Advocate Seka, the first to fourth respondents argued that the application introduces illegality not apparent on the record and cannot be legitimised through extension of time.

They said extending time on this basis was an attempt to obtain a different decision through another forum, which is not lawful. Advocate Seka described it as “riding two horses,” noting that Appeal Number 87 of 2026 was already pending.

Conducting simultaneous proceedings on the same issues, he argued, lacks legal validity and constitutes abuse of the court process. Granting the application while the appeal is ongoing would contravene Court of Appeal principles.

Furthermore, Advocate Seka added that the proper route for such issues is through appeal, not extension of time. The respondents were not seeking costs, as they were beneficiaries of TLS legal assistance.

Baba Levo, the fifth respondent, supported the application. Judge’s decision The Judge said after reviewing all submissions and affidavits, the key issue was whether the applicants deserved an extension of time.

“I have reviewed records of the previous case and proceedings. The disputed issue concerns security for costs in an election petition, as a person granted legal assistance is not required to pay court costs when filing a petition challenging election results,” he said.

The Judge said the delay was not due to negligence, but was due to waiting for official legal confirmation. The Court agreed that the delay was not caused by pursuing two proceedings simultaneously.

“Taking into account all matters explained above, I am satisfied that the applicants have presented substantial and compelling reasons warranting the grant of an extension of time; therefore, the application is granted,” he said. The Judge directed the applicants, namely the Returning Officer for Kigoma Urban Constituency and the AG, to file their review application within three days of the ruling, March 27, 2026. .

By Elian Peltier and Zia ur-Rehman Reporting from Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan’s government has embarked on a major push to reshape its image abroad, an effort now visible in how it’s handling the escalating conflict with Afghanistan.

The media offensive is part of a renewed push by Pakistan to position itself as a key partner to the West, including President Trump, and a diplomatic power in the region. Over the past year, representatives of Pakistani security agencies have lobbied journalists to start state-friendly English-language news outlets, according to officials and journalists approached for the ventures.

In October, Pakistan also relaunched its public broadcast channel, Pakistan TV. During a visit to the headquarters last fall, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the channel’s new digital department would counter foreign propaganda and promote Pakistan’s messaging abroad.

The new outlets have pursued two main targets — India and the Taliban government next door in Afghanistan. Their journalists have been highly critical of Pakistan’s archrival, India, and have framed a military campaign against the Taliban in terms that mostly echo the Pakistani military’s rhetoric — reinforcing claims that all strikes hit Afghan military targets, for example, despite evidence to the contrary.

“Pakistan has traditionally been far too shy and risk averse in shaping its own story,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “That is beginning to change.

” A Pakistani official involved in the effort said it was prompted by the military clash with India last May, when Pakistan became “overwhelmed” with pro-Indian content on social media, the official said. Both Indian and Pakistani media amplified falsehoods during the conflict last year.

In response, the Pakistani official said, security agencies “motivated and requested” media executives to start new English-language channels to counter those narratives, in part by providing tax exemptions. The appeal was patriotic, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to detail a plan not yet reported publicly.

The official didn’t disclose how much funding the channels had received, but said that no English-language channel in Pakistan would be sustainable without state support. In addition to Pakistan TV’s revamp, two new English-language channels were started shortly after the clash with India.

At least two more are in the works, according to journalists approached for the ventures. Want to stay updated on what’s happening in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan? Sign up for Your Places: Global Update, and we’ll send our latest coverage to your inbox.

The channels are part of Pakistan’s larger diplomatic strategy. Since the military clash with India, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has forged a personal relationship with President Trump, who calls him his “favorite field marshal,” and wooed Mr.

Trump’s allies with crypto and his administration with mineral deals. Pakistan has also tried to be perceived as a diplomatic power at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.

It signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia in September shortly after renewing a long-term economic partnership with China. To back up its diplomacy, Pakistan is trying to replicate successful state-backed channels that amplify their countries’ messages and burnish their images abroad, like Turkey’s TRT or Qatar’s Al Jazeera.

“If you’re doing well diplomatically, if your economy is on track, you need a strong state broadcaster that can bring Pakistan’s vision to the world,” Adil Shahzeb, the head of the state broadcaster, Pakistan TV, said in an interview last fall. The Karachi Press club this year.

Pakistan currently ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index of Reporters Without Borders.CreditAsim Hafeez for The New York Times Pakistan has a long history of starting television channels in the wake of conflicts with India.

In the mid-2000s, three English-language news channels were started amid heightened tensions. But the initiatives, unprofitable, quickly folded.

Journalists said this new media push may face the same fate, because the funding and vision are nowhere near those provided by Qatar and Turkey. “The problem is, these efforts pick up steam when a crisis flares up, but nobody is really trying to figure out what comes next,” said Arifa Noor, the host of an Urdu talk show on Dawn TV, one of the country’s few independent news outlets.

In recent months, Pakistan TV, the public broadcaster, has covered protests in neighboring India; a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan; and Pakistan’s diplomacy, including three meetings between President Trump and Field Marshal Munir and Pakistan’s decision to join Mr. Trump’s Board of Peace.

But contentious domestic issues have remained mostly absent. “The government thinks that it can fund television channels, directly or indirectly, that it will use as mouthpieces for easy communication purposes,” said Bilal Gilani, the executive director of Gallup Pakistan, an independent research institute.

It is unclear what funding mechanism, direct or indirect, Pakistan used for this effort. Three Pakistani journalists said they had been approached by Sharjeel Inam Memon, a provincial information minister who is seen as a key intermediary for the state, to start one of the ventures.

All three media executives said they declined the request. They spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the government’s methods.

Mr. Memon and Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The Pakistani official involved in the state’s efforts said that journalists had been invited by the security agencies to devise the new ventures’ editorial strategy. He said he wasn’t sure how the new channels would keep operating after the initial round of funding.

The new outlets have had to contend with what the country’s leading editors’ organization has called the government’s “complete control” of Pakistani media. Reporters in Pakistan have faced increased censorship and financial pressure, including frozen bank accounts and the suspension of government advertising; forced removal, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, according to journalists and human rights groups.

Several journalists have also been arrested under a law criminalizing “false and fake information.” Dawn, the country’s most well-known newspaper, currently faces a financial crisis after the government choked off advertising revenue, in what the paper said is retaliation for its reporting.

Pakistan ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index of Reporters Without Borders. Some pockets of independence remain on YouTube and podcasts, said Ms.

Noor of Dawn TV. “It allows a conversation to happen that the state wants to put an end to,” she said.

Two leaders of state-friendly news outlets say they intend to maintain their independence. “We will try to be as independent as we can be as a state broadcaster,” said Mr.

Shahzeb, of Pakistan TV. “I won’t just say ‘yes boss’ to those who’ve named me here.

” He said he wanted the channel to be “calm, credible, composed.” Asia One, one of the new channels, made its debut last summer in Karachi.

Naveed Qamar, Asia One’s director and a veteran journalist, said the channel had hired 250 employees, including on-air hosts who are primarily foreigners. Local journalists, Mr.

Qamar said, lacked the broadcast-standard English required for a global audience. “We want to show the world that a foreign journalist can be based in Pakistan and be safe here,” Mr.

Qamar said. During a visit to Asia One’s headquarters last fall, the newsroom hummed as dozens of journalists prepared news clips and bulletins.

But an Asia One employee, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, said the channel offered only temporary relief in an industry where jobs are scarce. Shahzeb Jillani, the head of the Karachi-based Center for Excellence in Journalism, said the speed at which the new channels started running was “impressive,” but that they could collapse as quickly.

“I tell my students about those new channels, ‘Go there, learn, make money,'” Mr. Jillani said.

“But be mindful of who you work for.” Elian Peltier is The Times’s bureau chief for Pakistan and Afghanistan, based in Islamabad.

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