Category: The Citizen

Tanzania has denied allegations that it sent its citizens to Zambia as mercenaries to interfere in the country’s 2026 General Election, saying it has initiated diplomatic efforts to establish the facts behind the claims.

The allegations were made by National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who claimed that Tanzanians had been sent to Zambia to influence the electoral process.

In a video circulating on social media, Mr Mundubile alleged that there was a plan to use what he described as ‘Tanzanian tactics’ to influence the election outcome.

‘Zambia is not Tanzania. Those who think they can bring here tactics that work in Tanzania will never succeed,’ he said.

He also called on Tanzanians allegedly involved in election-related activities in Zambia to leave the country and return home.

Tanzania responds

Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa said Tanzania was concerned by the allegations and had instructed its ambassador in Zambia to seek clarification through official diplomatic channels.

‘Tanzania has not sent anyone to Zambia to interfere in its elections, and that is not our practice,’ Mr Msigwa said.

He said Tanzanians involved in observing the election could be part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observer mission, which comprises members from different SADC countries and operates at the invitation of the host country.

The allegations have also drawn reactions in Tanzania. Chadema Mainland Deputy Chairman John Heche said the claims should be taken seriously, citing Tanzania’s historical role in supporting African liberation movements and democracy.

‘Today Tanzania is being accused of sending mercenaries to disrupt elections in other countries. What a shame,’ Mr Heche wrote on X.

The controversy comes as Zambia prepares for a competitive election, with President Hichilema seeking re-election amid a strong opposition challenge.

The husband is in Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam. The wife is also in Mbezi Beach. The twist? They reportedly each have their own home.

That detail has sparked conversations around Bongo Flava stars Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu, bringing their marriage back into the spotlight, this time not because of a song, romantic gesture or social media post, but because of their living arrangement.

For many people, marriage naturally means sharing a home. So, reports that Diamond and Zuchu maintain separate residences, despite living in the same Mbezi Beach area, have prompted one obvious question: Why don’t they simply live together?

While some believe married couples should live under one roof, others argue that how a couple organises its private life is a personal decision, provided both partners are comfortable with the arrangement.

And that is where religion enters the conversation.

Does Islam require couples to live under one roof?

According to Sheikh Athuman Idd, it does not.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwanaspoti, Sheikh Athuman explained that living in the same house is not a condition for a valid Islamic marriage.

‘In Islam, living in the same house is not a condition for the validity of a marriage, and there is no provision in Islam that forces couples to do so,’ he said.

He added that if a husband and wife mutually agree to maintain separate residences, their marriage remains valid.

‘If they understand each other and willingly agree that each should live in their own home for whatever reason, their marriage remains 100 per cent valid, and they continue to be legally married before God and society,’ he said.

In other words, two houses do not automatically mean two separate marriages.

The key issue, according to the Sheikh, is whether the arrangement is mutually agreed upon and whether the couple continues to fulfil their responsibilities as husband and wife.

That distinction is particularly relevant when it comes to celebrity relationships, where gaps in information can quickly become filled with public speculation.

Diamond and Zuchu have spoken about it

The discussion surrounding the couple’s living arrangements is not entirely new.

Zuchu previously said that having separate homes was a decision they had made themselves and was not the result of a quarrel, separation or marital conflict.

That statement provides important context amid the latest conversations.

Therefore, the fact that Diamond and Zuchu reportedly maintain separate residences should not, on its own, be taken as evidence that their marriage is facing trouble.

For a couple whose relationship has attracted considerable public interest, however, even personal lifestyle choices can become a subject of debate.

A marriage kept away from the spotlight

Diamond and Zuchu’s marriage itself was initially kept private.

The two are understood to have undergone an Islamic marriage ceremony in January 2025. Their marriage became more widely known in June 2025 after Sheikh Walid Kawambwa revealed that he had officiated their union approximately five months earlier.

Diamond later shared photographs and videos associated with the occasion, while Zuchu also publicly acknowledged her status as Diamond’s wife.

So, the question now is not necessarily whether the two are married.

That has already been publicly acknowledged by the couple and religious figures connected to their union.

What continues to intrigue fans is what their marriage looks like behind the scenes.

For Diamond and Zuchu, that apparently includes maintaining separate homes within the same neighbourhood.

Whether the arrangement is unusual, practical or simply the way they have chosen to organise their lives remains a matter for the couple.

But from the religious perspective explained by Sheikh Athuman, a marriage does not become less valid simply because a husband and wife do not share the same roof.

Sometimes, two homes can still make one marriage.

Citizens seeking 10 percent municipal loans in Shinyanga are allegedly being charged up to Sh150,000 by private individuals to help them complete online forms and register on the electronic portal, a burden for groups needing capital for economic activities.

The concern was raised during the Shinyanga Municipal Full Council meeting, where civic leaders demanded enhanced public education to prevent the digital registration process from being exploited by middleman brokers.

Special Seats Councillor for Ibadakuli Division, Ms Zuhura Waziri, noted that several applicant groups have been forced to hire private individuals to navigate the online system, paying exorbitant fees that eat into their limited capital.

“It is critical that citizens receive proper training so they can register and apply for these loans independently, without incurring heavy costs from third parties,” said Ms Waziri.

Echoing her concerns, council members urged the Community Development Department to step up outreach programmes to guide youth, women, and persons with disabilities through the portal’s procedures.

Responding to the concerns, Shinyanga Municipal Community Development Officer, Ms Salome Komba, acknowledged the issue and assured the council that measures are being implemented to support applicants.

She revealed that the municipality has allocated funds in its budget to purchase electronic devices, including computers and tablets, for Community Development Officers to assist group members with registration directly in their wards.

“This initiative aims to bridge the digital skills gap, ensure direct access to the portal, and protect citizens from unnecessary fees during the application process,” said Ms Komba.

Representing the Shinyanga Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Adonias Namjulirwa, called on local leaders and municipal staff to maintain strict supervision of internal revenue collection to fund development projects and improve public service delivery.

Traders in Tanga are counting heavy losses after a fire swept through several shops at the Old Bus Stand along 12th Street on Thursday night, destroying goods and businesses.

The fire broke out at about 8pm and quickly spread to neighbouring shops. An electrical fault in one of the shops is suspected to have caused the blaze, although authorities had not established the cause officially.

Firefighters, police and private emergency teams battled the flames for hours before bringing them under control. Additional firefighting vehicles were brought in from the port and the GBP fuel depot to support the operation.

Tanga District Commissioner Dadi Kolimba said it was too early to determine the number of shops affected or the value of property destroyed.

‘The fire started in one shop and spread to others. Despite efforts to contain it, it continued spreading, but the Fire and Rescue Force did a great job by bringing in additional vehicles from the port and GBP fuel depot and eventually containing the fire,’ Mr Kolimba said.

Police were also deployed to prevent people from stealing goods that traders were attempting to rescue from the burning shops.

Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, with some of the goods stored in the shops believed to have fuelled the flames.

Shop owner George Lusinde said the fire had wiped out his main source of income, forcing him to consider how to rebuild his business.

‘This shop was my main source of income. I now have to start again and find a way to recover economically,’ he said.

Resident Konde Boy said the losses would affect traders who had borrowed money to finance their businesses.

‘Some people have borrowed money. Imagine taking a loan and then your shop burns down. What will happen when loan officers come for repayment?’ he said.

Another witness, Inosi Ally, said the fire spread so quickly that traders struggled to save their belongings despite prolonged efforts by firefighters.

A detailed assessment is expected to establish the number of shops affected and the value of property destroyed.

The League of United Kingdoms of Afrika has backed Tanzania’s decision to involve judges from other African countries in the inquiry into events surrounding the October 29, 2025 General Election, saying the move could strengthen public confidence in the process.

In a statement dated August 11, 2026, the South Africa-based organisation said Africa had a pool of experienced professionals in law, human rights, justice, governance and conflict resolution who could contribute to the inquiry.

It said the participation of judges from countries such as Namibia and Uganda should not be viewed as interference in Tanzania’s internal affairs, but as an opportunity to draw on wider African legal expertise.

The League commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Government for seeking external expertise, saying the move demonstrated institutional confidence and a willingness to consider diverse legal perspectives on an issue of national importance.

It also stressed that the Commission of Inquiry should operate within a clear legal framework, with defined terms of reference, appropriate procedures and sufficient authority to fulfil its mandate.

The organisation urged Tanzanians, political actors, civil society and other stakeholders to allow the Commission to complete its work before reaching conclusions about its credibility or findings.

It said the inquiry should be guided by truth, justice, transparency and the interests of all Tanzanians, while respecting the independence and professional integrity of the judges involved.

The League said establishing the facts surrounding the 2025 election was important for strengthening public trust, national unity and peaceful mechanisms for resolving grievances.

‘Tanzania is our neighbour, Tanzania is our sister and brother, and the peace and stability of Tanzania are part of the peace and stability of our Afrika,’ the organisation said.

The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has urged the country to confront the reality of the political events of October 29, 2025, through mutual forgiveness and national healing, rather than allowing lingering wounds to divide citizens.

The call follows a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Samia Suluhu Hassan on August 10, 2026.

According to State House statement, the talks aimed to address key national issues, including pathways to resolve the country’s ongoing political stalemate. Speaking on Thursday, August 13, 2026, TEC Secretary-General, Fr Dr Charles Kitima, said the bishops requested the audience with President Hassan to share their perspective on the political climate, emphasising that lasting peace requires truth, mutual forgiveness, and national reconciliation.

Dr Kitima clarified that the bishops were not summoned by the government but initiated the meeting to reinforce the position set out in their November 15, 2025 statement.

He noted that the nation cannot construct a stable future without addressing the fallout from the 2025 events.

In their November 15 statement, delivered by TEC President Bishop Wolfgang Pisa following a four-day prayer reflection, the bishops observed widespread public discontent and division following the elections.

“The bishops maintain that we must reach a point of rectifying this situation,” said Dr Kitima.

“We cannot let sin rule us; we must be guided by goodness and love,” he added.

Dr Kitima stressed that mutual forgiveness is a human step to restore broken relationships among citizens and with the government, rather than a political contest over power.

While TEC does not oppose the government’s commission of inquiry into the incidents, Dr Kitima urged that the process uphold truth, transparency, and public involvement.

“Commission investigations are important so truth is known and those responsible are held accountable under the law. However, investigation alone cannot heal the pain without a parallel process of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said, adding that the bishops’ intent is not to change the administration, but to safeguard human dignity and rights under existing leadership.

Citing international examples, Dr Kitima referenced South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, where acknowledging facts and granting mutual forgiveness helped lay the foundation for a unified nation.

Sharing a similar perspective, the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata) Executive Council Chairman, Sheikh Khamis Mataka, noted that human societies inevitably face challenges, but wisdom lies in how they are resolved.

Describing the October events as a national test, Sheikh Mataka commended the establishment of the investigative commission, stating that its findings should feed into broader national dialogue.

“You forgive after knowing what offence occurred and who erred,” said Sheikh Mataka, emphasizing that identifying root causes is essential for preventing future conflict.

Anglican Bishop of Dar es Salaam Diocese, Jackson Sosteness, also advocated for national healing and inclusivity, highlighting the need to address youth grievances.

“Youth were heavily involved in the October 29 events. It is imperative for the government to address their core challenges, including unemployment, to channel their energy into productive nation-building,” said Bishop Sosteness.

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Network (THRDC) national coordinator Onesmo Olengurumwa emphasized that genuine recovery requires all stakeholders to acknowledge past shortcomings.

“Accountability does not solely mean imprisonment. Accepting mistakes, asking for pardon, and speaking the truth are fundamental steps,” said Mr Olengurumwa.

“Assuming last year’s problems can be buried by force would be a grave mistake that risks creating even greater challenges in the future,” he added.

Uganda’s controversial Protection of Sovereignty Act has come under scrutiny before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), with four civil society organisations from three East African countries challenging 25 provisions they say undermine regional integration and conflict with Uganda’s obligations under the EAC Treaty.

The organisations have asked the Arusha-based regional court to order Uganda to stop applying or enforcing the contested provisions and take legislative, administrative or other measures to bring the law into line with the Treaty.

The case, filed on July 21, 2026, names the Government of Uganda and also challenges the role of the EAC Secretary General in ensuring that Partner States comply with their Treaty obligations. The applicants are Uganda-based Centre for Environmental Research and Agriculture Innovations (CERAI) and Youth for Green Communities (YGC), Kenya’s Natural Justice and Tanzania’s Organization for Community Engagement (OCE).

The legal challenge centres on what the applicants describe as a conflict between Uganda’s sovereign authority to regulate organisations operating in its territory and its commitments to regional integration and cooperation under the EAC framework.

They argue that the law could restrict civil society organisations’ ability to operate across borders, access international funding and technical assistance, and participate in regional programmes covering environmental protection, climate change, human rights and sustainable development.

According to the applicants, such restrictions could hinder regional funding, technical assistance and partnerships involving organisations from different EAC Partner States.

Treaty provisions challenged

The organisations have based their case on several provisions of the EAC Treaty.

They cite Article 5(3)(g), which provides for stronger cooperation among Partner States, civil society organisations and the private sector in promoting sustainable social, economic and political development.

They also rely on Articles 6(d) and 7(2), which establish principles including good governance, democracy, accountability, transparency, the rule of law, social justice and people’s participation in development.

Articles 8(1)(a) and (c) are also cited, with the applicants arguing that Partner States are required to create conditions conducive to achieving EAC objectives and refrain from measures that could jeopardise those objectives.

Article 127, which provides for an enabling environment for civil society participation in EAC activities, also forms part of their case.

The applicants want the EACJ to determine whether the contested provisions are compatible with Uganda’s Treaty obligations and, if not, order the government to amend the law.

Regional cooperation at stake

CERAI executive director Gerald Barekye said his organisation had been working with Ugandan and other East African organisations to expand access to clean energy through research, community awareness and the distribution of clean-energy technologies.

‘Our organisation has been collaborating with Ugandan and other organisations across East Africa to promote clean energy access,’ he said.

Mr Barekye said the organisation’s work could be affected if legislation made cross-border cooperation among civil society groups more difficult.

Richard Sekondo of OCE said his organisation joined the case because it believes the legislation could affect efforts to advance climate justice across East Africa.

He said cooperation among civil society organisations was essential to ensuring that communities participated meaningfully in the region’s transition to clean energy and sustainable development.

The applicants have also asked the EACJ to examine the conduct of the EAC Secretary General, arguing that the office should have assessed the compatibility of Uganda’s legislation with the EAC Treaty and, where necessary, referred the matter to the regional court.

They want the court to direct the Secretary General to monitor Uganda’s compliance with any orders issued and report on their implementation.

Law under scrutiny

The challenge follows Uganda’s enactment of the Protection of Sovereignty Act on May 5, 2026.

The legislation provides for the registration and regulation of ‘agents of foreigners’ and regulates funding and other forms of assistance provided to entities covered by the law. It also introduces reporting and other regulatory requirements.

The Ugandan government has maintained that the legislation is intended to protect the country’s national interests and sovereignty.

Dar es Salaam. Long-distance bus operators in Dar es Salaam face regulatory action for picking up or dropping off passengers outside designated terminals, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) has warned.

Latra Acting Manager for Passenger Vehicle Regulation and Dar es Salaam Regional Officer Patel Ngaiza said the authority would enforce licence conditions requiring operators to use Government-approved terminals for the start and end of their journeys.

The warning follows a directive by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila for upcountry bus operators to return to their designated terminals as part of measures to ease traffic congestion and improve the management of passenger transport in the city.

Mr Ngaiza said the use of designated terminals was not a new requirement, but a condition already attached to bus operating licences.

‘Every bus we license is given a schedule showing the station where it should start its journey and the station where it should end. Operators are required to follow that arrangement,’ he said.

Under the existing arrangements, buses travelling to Dar es Salaam from the Northern, Central, Southern Highlands and Lake zones are required to terminate at the Magufuli Bus Terminal in Mbezi Luis.

Buses operating on routes from the Southern Zone are required to use the Mbagala Bus Terminal.

‘There is no other location that we have authorised for these buses to terminate their journeys. They are required to follow the conditions set out in their licences,’ Mr Ngaiza said.

He warned that Latra would take action against operators who breach their licence conditions and approved schedules once the period given by the regional administration expires.

Mr Ngaiza said enforcing the use of designated terminals was also critical for road safety because it enables authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before buses begin their journeys.

Latra works with other institutions responsible for road safety and passenger transport regulation to inspect buses before they leave for their destinations, he said.

‘These inspections cannot be properly conducted if buses are parked or operating from unofficial locations. The designated terminals are the places where these inspections are supposed to take place,’ he said.

He urged bus owners operating between Dar es Salaam and other regions to ensure their vehicles comply with the conditions of their licences, while calling on drivers and bus managers to cooperate with owners to restore operations to designated terminals.

Mr Ngaiza said operators had been given sufficient time to reorganise their services and return to terminals constructed and designated by the Government for long-distance passenger services.

‘We are calling on all owners of buses providing services between Dar es Salaam and other regions to ensure their buses operate from the designated terminals. Drivers and managers should also cooperate with the owners to make sure the buses comply with the arrangements,’ he said.

The enforcement is expected to return long-distance bus operations to designated terminals while strengthening vehicle inspections, road safety monitoring and traffic management in Dar es Salaam.

e. A 10-year-old primary school pupil married off by relatives to a 20-year-old youth in Ruvu Jiungeni Village, Same District, has been rescued by government authorities after missing classes for an extended period.

The Standard Two pupil at Jiungeni Primary School, the first-born child in her family, was withdrawn from school by relatives to be married off. The exact dowry paid remains unknown.

Speaking about the incident on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Same District Commissioner Kasilda Mgeni said authorities launched an investigation after receiving reports of the child’s absence, leading officers to the location where she was being kept. DC Kasilda said officers found the minor living with the 20-year-old youth as husband and wife.

Both were taken into custody and handed over to law enforcement authorities.

“The government strongly condemns this illegal act by relatives to marry off a 10-year-old child and deprive her of basic rights, including education and a safe environment,” said DC Kasilda.

She added that the suspects remained in police custody awaiting further legal action, while urging residents to report similar crimes.

“I urge citizens of Same to continue providing confidential information regarding such inhumane acts occurring in our communities,” DC Kasilda said.

The district commissioner issued a stern warning to parents involved in such practices, announcing a crackdown to identify all pupils withdrawn from school for forced marriages.

She emphasised that the State had ensured access to education for all children.

“The stance of the Sixth Phase Government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is to ensure all school-age children attend school. We shall deal firmly with parents who defy government directives,” said DC Kasilda, adding that security organs were actively investigating the matter.

Ruvu Ward Councillor Yaigongo Mrutu confirmed that police officers had detained those involved in the incident for legal processing.

“They were living as husband and wife in a remote area. This is a truly shocking incident within our local pastoralist community. A 10-year-old child is far too young,” said the councillor.

A Page 1 story on Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet is carrying a story whose headline reads, ‘PM: Sugar surplus now within reach,’ and therein, the scribbler writes in his intro: ‘Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has said Tanzania is on course to eliminate the sugar supply deficit as local factories expand production capacity, paving the way for the country to ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND GENERATE SURPLUS FOR EXPORT.’

We skip two paragraphs, then we read Para 4 in which our scribbling colleague writes: ‘Dr Mwigulu said increased investment and expansion of sugar factories provided a strong indication that the country would soon ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND GENERATE SURPLUS FOR EXPORT.

Need we explain why we have put in capitals sections of the two paragraphs we cite above? Well, let us do it.

The reason is, we are bugged by the monotony! In case the scribbler felt a great need to reiterate in Para 4 what the PM is reported as saying in Para 1, rephrasing would be apt so as to avoid blatant monotony.

Below is our suggested rewrite: ‘Dr Mwigulu said increased investment and expansion of sugar factories provided a clear indication that the country would soon BE PRODUCING MORE THAN ITS DOMESTIC REQUIREMENTS AND BECOME AN EXPORTER OF THE SWEETERNER.’

We move to Page 3 where the lead story reads: ‘Tanzania, Eswatini pledge stronger economic ties.’

In Para 3 of the story, the scribbler pens, ‘During a private meeting with King Mswati III…Ambassador Hamad conveyed greetings and goodwill from President Samia and reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to further strengthen the HISTORIC, friendly and brotherly relations between the two nations.’

We have noted it in this space before, let us repeat it: Something ‘historic’ is that which has happened today and we are certain it will, for certain, be remembered thereafter, perhaps for ever and ever!

Then, ‘historical’ is something that happened-or has been there in the past-and still remembered and cherished to date because of its significance.

Like the good and amicable relations that has been there even before independence between the people of Eswatini and those of Tanzania. These are HISTORICAL relations.

And now, some linguistic gemstones from Page 6 of Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Monday, August 10.

In this one, there is a story entitled, ‘NGO partners with journalists to combat ongoing child marriage in RURAL villages.’

Hello! A ‘village’, by its very nature, is located in a ‘rural area.’ You indulge in tautological nonsense if you qualify it with ‘rural.’ Which is to say, the headline chief should have simply penned, ‘…in villages’ or ‘…in rural areas.’

In Para 5 of this human interest story, our colleague reports further: ‘Despite ongoing efforts by the government…child marriage continues to occur in secret…Many girls are withdrawn from school and FORCED into marriage WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT…’

When you say ‘forced into marriage without consent,’ you are overtly suggesting that a young woman can be coerced while, at the same time, agreeing (consenting) to becoming some crooked man’s wife. Nonsensical, isn’t it?

Which is to say, our fellow scribbler’s sentence should have ended with, ‘…and FORCED into marriage.’ Period! However, if you are keen on verbosity, you may say: ‘…Many girls are withdrawn from school, then GET married WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT…’

Finally, colouring this page is a photo whose caption reads: ‘Stephen Michael, director of production and marketing at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, briefs journalists FOR Tanzania’s plans to become a net milk exporter, with expected exports valued at US$231 million…’

Hello! Mr Michael was not briefing journalists ‘for’ Tanzania’s plans to become this or that; rather, he was briefing journalists ON Tanzania’s plans to…

Ah, this treacherous language called English!