Category: The Citizen

Today, AI can summarise lengthy reports, transcribe interviews in seconds, analyse large datasets, generate headlines, translate content into multiple languages, and even write simple news stories. What once took journalists hours can now be completed in minutes.

Naturally, this has sparked an important and uncomfortable question: Will AI save journalism or replace it? The answer, at least for now, is neither.

AI is not the end of journalism, but it is undoubtedly changing journalism in profound ways.

Throughout history, every technological advancement has been met with both excitement and fear.

The printing press changed how information was distributed.

Radio challenged newspapers. Television disrupted radio. The internet transformed everything.

Each innovation created anxiety about the future of existing media. Yet journalism survived and adapted. AI is simply the latest chapter in this story. The opportunities it presents are enormous.

For many news organisations, especially those operating with limited resources, AI can become a powerful productivity tool. It can automate repetitive tasks, allowing journalists to spend more time on investigative reporting, storytelling, and audience engagement.

In many ways, AI can help journalists work smarter. For African media organisations, this potential is particularly significant.

Across the continent, many newsrooms operate under financial constraints, with limited staff and increasing pressure to produce more content for multiple platforms. AI could help bridge some of these resource gaps, improving efficiency and expanding access to information.

But every opportunity comes with risks. AI is only as good as the information it is trained on. It can make mistakes, generate inaccuracies, and present false information with remarkable confidence.

AI systems can fabricate sources, misinterpret facts, and reinforce existing biases.

This is why the greatest threat posed by AI is not that machines will replace journalists.

It is that misinformation may become faster, cheaper, and more difficult to detect. Ironically, this makes the role of professional journalism even more essential.

As AI floods the information ecosystem with content, the value of trust increases. Audiences will increasingly seek credible sources that can verify facts, provide context, and separate truth from fiction.

While machines can generate information, they cannot replace judgment; they cannot replace ethics, and they cannot replace human curiosity

Consider investigative journalism. Some of the world’s most impactful stories have emerged because journalists built relationships with sources, recognised patterns that others missed, or had the courage to ask uncomfortable questions. These are deeply human qualities.

AI cannot attend a community meeting and understand the emotions in the room.

It cannot build trust with a whistleblower. It cannot fully appreciate the cultural nuances that shape society. Most importantly, it cannot be held morally accountable.

Journalism is not simply the production of content. It is a public responsibility.

The future, therefore, is unlikely to be a battle between humans and machines. Instead, it will be a partnership.

The most successful newsrooms will not be those that resist AI, nor those that rely on it entirely.

They will be the organisations that combine the efficiency of technology with the judgment and integrity of human journalists.

The journalist of the future may spend less time transcribing interviews and more time analysing information.

Less time compiling data and more time asking why it matters.

Less time producing routine content and more time creating meaningful, impactful journalism.

In that sense, AI could actually strengthen journalism rather than weaken it, but only if it is used responsibly.

Media organisations must invest in ethical guidelines, staff training, and robust verification processes.

Transparency will become increasingly important. Audiences deserve to know when AI has been used in the production of content.

The rise of AI also demands something from journalists themselves: adaptability.

The profession is changing, and those who embrace new tools while remaining committed to the core principles of journalism will be best positioned to thrive.

Technology has always changed the way journalism is practiced. What has never changed is why journalism exists.

Society still needs people who can investigate wrongdoing, hold power accountable, explain complex issues, and help citizens make informed decisions.

AI can make journalism faster. It can make journalism more efficient. It may even make journalism more accessible, but it cannot replace the human qualities that make journalism matter.

The future of journalism is not human versus machine. It is humans and machines working together to tell better stories, uncover deeper truths, and serve the public more effectively.

And in an age increasingly shaped by algorithms, that human mission may become more important than ever.

One of the least discussed challenges in the shift towards refugee self-reliance that’s touted by development agencies is the extent of poverty within closed camp economies.

This reality is often overlooked in conversations that focus on entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, yet it shapes everything that follows.

In many camps, small businesses do not operate in thriving markets, they operate in spaces where nearly everyone is struggling.

A refugee selling vegetables, airtime, or basic goods is often selling to customers who are equally constrained, equally dependent, and equally uncertain about tomorrow.

The exchange exists, but it happens within limits that are difficult to escape. There is movement, but not necessarily growth.

Transactions are frequently based on credit rather than cash. Goods are taken with the promise of payment later – payment that may never come.

This is not simply a financial arrangement; it reflects the shared reality of hardship. Refusing credit is not always possible, because the people who ask are part of the same community, facing the same conditions.

Over time, this creates cycles of debt that quietly erode the very businesses meant to represent progress. What begins as an attempt to generate income slowly becomes difficult to sustain. Stock becomes harder to replace. Income becomes unpredictable. What remains is a business in form, but not always in function.

In such an environment, entrepreneurship does not necessarily generate growth. It often redistributes scarcity.

This raises an important question: Can self-reliance truly exist in an economy where no one has enough?

Self-reliance without integration

Beyond the internal limits of camp economies lies a broader structural issue – integration. This is where the focus shifts from individual effort to the conditions that shape what is possible.

Refugees are often encouraged to become self-reliant while remaining excluded from the very systems that make self-reliance possible.

Restrictions on movement, limited access to formal employment, and barriers to national markets create conditions where opportunity is not only scarce, but structurally constrained.

In this context, self-reliance becomes a paradox.

Dozens of countries impose refugee encampment policies. Refugees are expected to build independent lives within environments that limit independence.

They are encouraged to grow within systems that do not expand. They are asked to sustain themselves in economies that cannot sustain them.

This contradiction is not always visible in policy discussions, but it is present in everyday life.

For self-reliance to move beyond rhetoric, refugees must be seen not as a burden to be managed, but as an economic and social asset.

This requires more than encouragement, it requires change in the systems that define access and opportunity.

Access to labour markets, financial services, education, and mobility are not additional benefits; they are necessary conditions. Without them, self-reliance remains limited to small-scale survival rather than meaningful progress.

Between what is measured and what is lived

Another important dimension of this shift is the increasing reliance on data systems and standardised indicators. Terms such as ‘consumption scores’, ‘resilience markers’, and ‘transition metrics’ are used to assess progress and guide decision-making.

These tools are important, but they have limits.

They capture what can be measured, not necessarily what is lived.

A household may appear stable on paper while continuing to face daily shortages.

A young person may report having a business while struggling to generate consistent income.

These realities exist alongside the data, but are not always visible within it.

This creates a growing gap between what is recorded and what is experienced.

The issue is not that the data is incorrect, but that it is incomplete. It reflects part of the reality, but not all of it. And when decisions are based primarily on measurable indicators, there is a risk that the unmeasured aspects of life uncertainty, pressure, and dignity are overlooked.

The need to reflect reality

This does not mean that the shift towards livelihoods and self-reliance is inherently wrong. Many refugees want to work, to build, and to sustain themselves. The desire for independence is real.

But desire alone does not create opportunity.

The issue lies in how these transitions are implemented, and whether the conditions needed for success are in place. Self-reliance cannot be reduced to the presence of a business or the reduction of aid. It must be understood in terms of stability and sustainability.

These questions are necessary if self-reliance is to reflect reality rather than appearance.

Is the system ready for self-reliance?

As humanitarian organisations continue to adapt to funding constraints and changing priorities, the shift towards self-reliance is likely to continue. It is presented as a necessary transition, and in many ways, it is.

But necessity does not remove complexity.

As long as refugee economies remain closed and constrained, the potential for meaningful growth will remain limited. As long as integration remains restricted, independence will remain partial. And as long as progress is measured primarily through indicators, there is a risk that appearance will take precedence over reality.

The question is not simply whether refugees are capable of self-reliance. It is whether the systems around them are prepared to support it in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Because without that support, self-reliance risks becoming something else: not a pathway out of poverty, just a different way of living within it.

High household wiring costs, damage to electricity infrastructure and theft are slowing rural electricity connections in Tanzania, despite expansion of the national grid to all villages.

The government has completed electricity supply to all villages and is now focusing on connecting hamlets and increasing household connections. However, many rural households remain unconnected due to the cost of wiring homes.

Speaking at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, Rural Energy Agency (REA) Supervising Engineer for the Central Zone, Ms Aneth Malingumu, said access to electricity has reached most rural communities, but connection levels remain low. She said national electricity access stands at over 85 per cent, while rural access is at 78.1 per cent. However, only 37.2 per cent of rural households are connected to the grid.

Ms Malingumu said the main barrier is the cost of wiring, which ranges between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000, beyond the reach of many households despite lower official connection fees.

She added that limited productive use of electricity in rural areas has also slowed uptake, with many households using power mainly for lighting rather than income-generating activities.

Other challenges include logistical difficulties in remote areas, damage to infrastructure during farming activities, and theft of electrical equipment, which increases maintenance costs.

‘Infrastructure damage and theft force us to rebuild affected sections, increasing costs and delaying projects,’ she said.

Ms Malingumu said the government is targeting universal rural electrification by 2030. More than 10,000 hamlets are currently being connected, while plans are underway to extend supply to a further 13,000.

The aim is to raise rural electricity access to 100 per cent and increase household connections from 37.2 per cent to 75 per cent by 2030.

A resident, Ms Malcelina Mashaka, called for greater transparency in electricity connection costs, particularly where communities are required to contribute to infrastructure such as poles.

She said unclear pricing discourages potential customers and slows uptake of connections.

Charlotte Hill O’Neal, affectionately known as Mama C, a woman whose life is as rich and inspiring as the art and activism she has dedicated herself to for more than five decades, is set to embark on the 2026 UAACC Heal the Community Tour, beginning with her first-ever visit to Ecuador before continuing to the United States.

Speaking from Arusha, where she has lived with her husband, Black Panther Party veteran Pete O’Neal, for more than 50 years, Mama C said the tour would focus on promoting peace, healing, spirituality and cultural exchange while sharing Tanzania’s story with communities around the world.

The internationally recognised artist, poet, educator and community activist said Ecuador would become the latest country on a journey that has taken the Heal the Community Tour to numerous cities across the United States, Venezuela, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Uganda and China over the past two decades. “I have been doing the UAACC Heal the Community Tour for more than 20 years, but this will be my first time in Ecuador,” she said.

“I look forward to sharing what Pete and I have learned from living in Tanzania for more than 50 years, while spreading blessings, love and spirituality that lead to healing.”

Mama C said the tour would also provide an opportunity to introduce more people to Arusha and Tanzania, a country she proudly calls home.

“I want to spread the story of Arusha, Tanzania and Tanzania in general, especially this beautiful place in the foothills of Mount Meru,” she said.

After Ecuador, Mama C will travel to several American cities, including New York, Portland, Baltimore, Seattle, Sacramento, Berkeley, Oakland, San Diego, Atlanta and Kansas City.

The United States leg of the tour will coincide with celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party, an organisation in which both Mama C and Pete O’Neal played active roles during the civil rights movement.

The commemorations will include events in Oakland, California, where the Black Panther Party was founded in 1966.

Mama C said she was eager to reconnect with communities across the United States while learning about Ecuadorian culture and collaborating with local artists and musicians.

She added that music, creativity and cultural exchange have always been central to her work of building peace and strengthening communities.

Although excited about the journey ahead, Mama C admitted she would miss her family and friends in Arusha.

“I’m always a bit sad to be away from home here in the foothills of Mount Meru, but I embrace the excitement of new experiences, meeting new people, making music, sharing my creativity and spreading blessings and joy,” she said.

“I believe that is what I have been called to do in this life as Mama C.”

Before departing, she sent a message of gratitude and affection to the people of Arusha.

“Sending peace, love and blessings to all my community here in Arusha, Tanzania. A-Town, A-Town!” she said.

Rukwa Regional Commissioner Makongoro Nyerere is set to depart for Canada on Tuesday to watch the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 matches after emerging among the winners of CRDB Bank’s Fainali Ndo Mpango na TemboCard promotional campaign.

Makongoro secured the opportunity through the campaign, which rewards customers who use CRDB TemboCard Visa cards for digital transactions. He is among three winners travelling to Canada, alongside Habiba Filikunjombe and Lenah Gacheri Munyua.

The winners received their travel tickets during a handover ceremony officiated by CRDB Bank’s Acting Head of Card Business, Omari Nkulo.

Speaking at the event, CRDB Bank Senior Cards Manager Karington Chahe said the winners qualified after making payments using TemboCard Visa Debit, Prepaid or Credit cards. Every eligible transaction automatically entered customers into the promotional draw.

He said the campaign is designed to reward customers who embrace digital banking while promoting cashless payments across the country.

According to Chahe, a total of 10 winners will travel abroad to experience the FIFA World Cup live. Three winners, including Nyerere, will watch matches in Canada, while another four will travel to the United States later as part of the same campaign.

He said the remaining winners will depart according to the bank’s travel schedule, enabling all beneficiaries to enjoy the unique experience of watching the world’s biggest football tournament in person.

Apart from the international travel packages, the campaign has also rewarded other customers with attractive prizes. Chahe said 10 customers have won 85-inch Hisense television sets, digital decoders and subscription packages that will allow them to watch every remaining match of the FIFA World Cup from home.

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will conclude on July 19. Chahe said the campaign reflects CRDB Bank’s continued commitment to rewarding customer loyalty while encouraging greater use of secure digital payment platforms.

He noted that financial services are increasingly shifting towards digital solutions, making it important for Tanzanians to embrace electronic payment systems for convenience, efficiency and security.

“This campaign is part of CRDB Bank’s broader efforts to promote digital payments, drive innovation in financial services and reward our customers for their loyalty. By the time the campaign closed on June 11, we had recorded very encouraging results, with a significant increase in digital payment transactions,” said Chahe.

Tanzania says it did not agree to provide biological specimens to the United States under a new five-year health partnership under the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), but major questions about the deal remain unanswered.

Health Minister Mohammed Mchengerwa has clarified that provisions requiring Tanzania to share biological specimens were not accepted during negotiations.

But the full agreement has not been made public.

The deal is expected to involve about $3.1 billion over five years, with the US contributing around $1.3 billion and Tanzania about $1.8 billion. It is intended to strengthen the health system, digital infrastructure, disease surveillance and national health security.

The ‘America First’ approach raises questions, especially after the full agreement has not been made public.

Does the deal allow access to or transfer of Tanzanians’ health data? Who can use that data, and under what safeguards? Will Tanzanian institutions retain control over it?

There are also questions about the economic impact. The broader US strategy promotes American companies and technologies, raising questions over how the partnership will support Tanzania’s own pharmaceutical industry, digital health firms, biomedical research and local manufacturing.

However, the government says Tanzania negotiated a more favourable deal than some other African countries.

The Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) has officially launched its 2026/2030 Presidential vision and strategic Plan, alongside the unveiling of its flagship championship, The Lady President’s Golf Cup 2026, scheduled for 10-11 July 2026 at Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam.

Under the theme ‘Drive It. Tee the Future.’ the initiative signals a bold transformation of women’s golf in Tanzania, extending far beyond competition to embrace youth development, education, leadership, governance, and international competitiveness.

The long-term ambition is to position Tanzania as one of Africa’s leading destinations for women’s golf by building a structured pathway that connects junior players to elite competition and leadership opportunities within the sport.

TLGU’s mission is to expand participation in women’s golf through structured junior programmes, strengthen competitive performance at regional and continental levels, and use golf as a platform for education, mentorship, and lifelong personal development.

The Union envisions a future where golf becomes both a sport and a vehicle for empowerment and social transformation.

TLGU president Timea Chogo said the new strategy reflects a commitment to building sustainable pathways for girls and women in sport.

‘We are building more than tournaments-we are building a future where every girl has a pathway from school golf to national representation and leadership,’ she said.

‘The Lady President’s Golf Cup represents that vision in action.’ The strategic plan is built on three core pillars. The Victory Path focuses on elite performance, national team development, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) integration, and international competition exposure.

The Eagle Initiative targets junior development through schools and SNAG Golf programmes, aiming to grow participation from just over 300 girls to 1,000 within the strategy period.

The Beyond the Fairway pillar focuses on leadership development, scholarships, mentorship, and career pathways for women in and beyond sport.

The 2026 calendar will feature three flagship events: The Lady President’s Cup, the Tanzania Ladies Open in August, and the Junior Championship in November.

These tournaments are designed to develop talent at every stage, from grassroots to elite competition. Strategic support will be provided by BLANQ Advertising Network, the title sponsor and long-term partner for 2026-2028.

BLANQ Founder Amin Swai described the initiative as an investment in leadership and transformation, noting that the Cup is expected to grow into a major continental event attracting top amateur players across Africa by its third year.

In its first year, TLGU aims to expand membership, strengthen governance systems, launch junior programmes in key regions, and prepare a national team for international competition for the first time.

The initiative also supports Tanzania’s long-term bid to host major regional championships, including the East and Central African Amateur Championship in 2029.

The Lady President’s Golf Cup 2026 will also introduce a unique ‘Leadership Fairway’ experience, where each hole reflects a stage of leadership development, complemented by networking forums, mentorship sessions, and executive engagement platforms.

Failure to produce in court a video allegedly capturing the attackers, delays by the prosecution’s key witness in identifying the suspects, and evidence ruled inadmissible as hearsay spared three men from the gallows after the High Court, Kigoma Sub-Registry, found that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they were responsible for the killing of Dickson Kamenya.

Those acquitted are Mr Barnabas Andrea, a carpenter at Kabanga Health Institute, Mr Lameck John, and Mr Ibrahim Kileha, a teacher at Chekenya Primary School.

The judgment was delivered on Friday, July 3, 2026, by Justice Augustine Rwizile, who presided over the trial. A copy was later uploaded to the Judiciary’s website.

Background

The three were charged with murder contrary to Sections 196 and 197 of the Penal Code after allegedly killing Mr Kamenya on October 19, 2023, in the Sinza area, Kasulu District, Kigoma Region.

According to the prosecution, on the day of the incident, the accused asked Tumaini Festo to show them where the deceased was, claiming they wanted him to undertake masonry work.

After arriving at the first accused’s home, the prosecution alleged that Mr Kamenya and Tumaini were accused of stealing unspecified property before being tied with ropes and assaulted with sticks, electric cables, and kicks.

The prosecution further alleged that the pair were later taken to the Bogwe River, where they were beaten again and submerged in water before being abandoned in critical condition.

Mr Kamenya was found unconscious the following day and taken to Kasulu District Hospital before being transferred to Maweni Regional Referral Hospital, where he died on November 1, 2023.

A post-mortem examination established that he died from severe brain injuries sustained during the assault.

Defence

In his defence, the first accused told the court that on the day of the incident, he had been at work making students’ desks, reporting at 7 am and leaving at 9.30 pm, and therefore could not have been at the crime scene.

He produced his staff identity card and attendance register in support of his defence, while the Human Resources Officer at Kabanga Health Institute confirmed that he had been on duty throughout the day.

He also denied the prosecution’s claim that the deceased had been assaulted at his home.

The second accused also denied involvement in the killing, telling the court that on October 19, 2023, he had been working on his sister’s farm in Nyachenda Village from morning until 5 pm with his sister, brother-in-law, and two other workers.

He said he neither knew the deceased nor participated in the incident.

The third accused, Mr Kileha, a primary school teacher, told the court that he reported for duty at 7.08 am, taught throughout the day, and never left the school premises.

He produced the school’s attendance register and his staff identity card in support of his defence.

A fellow teacher, Mr Anderson Yakobo, testified that they had reported for duty together, signed the attendance register, and remained at school throughout the working day.

Court ruling

Justice Rwizile held that although the prosecution had proved Mr Kamenya died from a severe assault that caused fatal brain injuries, it had failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was responsible for inflicting them.

The judge said the prosecution’s key witness, who claimed to have witnessed the entire incident, failed to identify the accused to relatives or police immediately after regaining consciousness, despite asserting that he had known them before the attack.

The court further observed that the witness did not mention the accused by name in his police statement, casting serious doubt on the credibility of his subsequent identification.

The court also found material inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence regarding how the accused was identified.

Justice Rwizile noted that while one witness claimed to have seen the accused carrying out the assault, others said they identified them through a video allegedly recorded by a person who was never called to testify.

The judge said the video was never produced as an exhibit, and the device allegedly used to record it was unavailable, rendering the purported video evidence hearsay with no probative value.

The court also identified inconsistencies surrounding the circumstances of the incident, including conflicting accounts of the house where the assault allegedly began, further weakening the prosecution’s case.

Given those shortcomings, the court held that the allegations against the accused amounted to mere suspicion and fell far short of the legal threshold required to prove a criminal offence beyond reasonable doubt.

The court therefore acquitted all three accused and ordered their immediate release unless they were being held in connection with any other lawful matter.

Dar es Salaam came to a near standstill on Sunday as thousands of Simba supporters lined major roads to celebrate the club’s CRDB Federation Cup triumph, turning the city into a sea of red and white during a victory parade that stretched from Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) to Coco Beach.

The celebrations followed Simba’s 1-0 victory over Azam FC in Saturday’s final at Gombani Stadium in Pemba, a result that ended the club’s five-year wait for the domestic cup. The victory also ensured Simba finished the 2025/26 season with two trophies after earlier lifting the Union Cup.

Supporters began arriving at JNIA early in the morning, hours before the team landed from Zanzibar. By the time the players emerged from the airport, thousands of fans had packed the surroundings, waving flags, singing club songs and chanting the names of their favourite players.

The team boarded two Irizar buses, which led the procession carrying players, members of the technical bench and club officials.

Escorted by security personnel, the convoy made its way through Karume, Msimbazi and other major roads before heading towards Coco Beach, attracting more supporters at every stop.

The turnout transformed the city’s streets into a festive atmosphere, with many residents leaving shops, offices and homes to catch a glimpse of the victorious team.

Some climbed pedestrian bridges, bus shelters and nearby buildings to get a better view of the convoy, while others recorded the celebrations on their mobile phones.

The loudest cheers erupted whenever the players raised the CRDB Federation Cup and Union Cup trophies above their heads in acknowledgement of the supporters.

The celebrations reflected the relief among Simba faithful after several seasons without major domestic silverware.

One of the parade’s defining moments came when club officials occasionally brought the CRDB Federation Cup trophy closer to supporters whenever the buses slowed down.

Fans eagerly stretched out their hands to touch the silverware, prompting bursts of applause and chants from the surrounding crowds.

The victory parade proceeded peacefully despite a brief security incident at the airport before the convoy departed.

There was also uncertainty over part of the parade route after the planned passage through the Jangwani area was affected by temporary road restrictions.

However, organisers, working with security authorities, ensured the procession continued smoothly as thousands of supporters remained determined to accompany the team through the city.

For many Simba supporters, the parade was more than a celebration of a cup victory.

It marked the end of a trophy drought that had tested the patience of one of the country’s largest football fan bases and offered a memorable conclusion to the season.

As the convoy advanced through Dar es Salaam, traffic slowed in several areas as motorists and pedestrians paused to witness the spectacle.

The players responded by waving to supporters, singing along with fans and repeatedly lifting the trophies as the crowd continued to grow.

The celebrations underscored Simba’s enduring popularity and demonstrated the deep connection between the club and its supporters, who turned out in large numbers to celebrate a triumph they had waited five years to witness.

Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu has asked the Court of Appeal to order the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to compensate him, arguing that delays in hearing the Republic’s application have unnecessarily prolonged his detention on remand.

The Republic lodged the review application on February 24, 2026, challenging a High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, decision rejecting its request for leave to adduce additional evidence in the treason case facing the opposition leader.

The review application, Case No. 7203216/2026, was heard on Friday, July 3, 2026, by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Augustine Mwarija, who presided, Zainabu Muruke, and Amour Khamis.

The Court also heard Mr Lissu’s preliminary objection challenging the proceedings.

Mr Lissu argued that the High Court’s ruling was an interlocutory decision that neither finally determined the substantive case nor gave rise to a right of appeal or review.

Republic’s response

Responding for the State, Principal State Attorney Nassoro Katuga argued that Section 8(2)(d) of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act (AJA), relied upon by Mr Lissu, applies only to civil proceedings.

He submitted that the Republic’s application was brought under Section 6(3) of the AJA and Rule 65 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2009.

He said the Republic was not asking the Court to review the High Court’s decision itself, but the legal basis upon which it rejected the application to adduce additional evidence.

Mr Katuga argued that Section 6(3) empowers the Court of Appeal to call for and examine High Court records to satisfy itself as to the legality and correctness of any order or decision.

He further maintained that Section 8(2)(d) concerns situations in which the Court refuses an appeal or review against an order or decision, which, he argued, was not the issue raised by the Republic.

Principal State Attorney Job Mrema submitted that, under Rule 107 of the Court of Appeal Rules, a preliminary objection must be capable of disposing of the substantive matter.

He argued that Mr Lissu’s objection could not dispose of the review application and was therefore misconceived.

Mr Mrema further maintained that Section 8(2)(d) bars appeals and reviews against interlocutory orders only in civil proceedings, whereas the matter before the Court is criminal.

Replying, Mr Lissu argued that the Republic’s complaint stemmed from a High Court ruling that examined the proposed additional evidence, considered the applicable law, and found it inadmissible before dismissing the application.

He further argued that although Mr Katuga submitted from the Bar that the application was brought under Section 6(3) of the AJA, neither Section 6(2) nor Section 6(3) was cited anywhere in the application itself.

Mr Lissu nevertheless contended that Section 6(3) grants the Court supervisory jurisdiction upon receiving a formal complaint and does not permit a litigant to file a review application directly.

He argued that if the Republic wished to invoke the Court’s jurisdiction, it ought to have proceeded under Section 6(2) of the AJA.

Even then, he said, he would still have objected under Section 8(2)(d) because the ruling was neither appealable nor reviewable.

“They have no case, and this review is completely baseless. They want to strip the Court of its powers,” Mr Lissu told the bench.

After hearing both sides, the Court reserved its ruling, with the date to be communicated to the parties.

Justice Mwarija said that if the Court upheld Mr Lissu’s preliminary objection, the proceedings would end.

If the objection was dismissed, however, the Court would proceed to determine the substantive review application.

Mr Lissu faces one count of treason contrary to Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code over remarks he allegedly made about plans to prevent the 2025 General Election from taking place.

The prosecution alleges that on April 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Mr Lissu, while being a Tanzanian citizen, intentionally incited members of the public to prevent the 2025 General Election from being held by uttering and publishing statements intended to pressure the Head of State.

Among the statements attributed to him is: “If they say this position amounts to rebellion, that is true… because we say we will stop the election, we will mobilise rebellion; that is how change is achieved… so we are going all out… we will seriously disrupt this election… we are going to cause major disruption…”

The treason trial is being heard by a three-judge High Court bench comprising the Principal Judge, Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, and Justices James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde. The prosecution has so far called 15 witnesses.

On February 18, 2026, the Republic electronically filed an application seeking leave to adduce additional evidence under Section 308(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). The application was heard on February 23, 2026.

Mr Katuga told the High Court that the prosecution intended to introduce additional evidence relating to the testimony of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Amin Mahamba.

Mr Lissu opposed the application, arguing that Section 308(1) applies only to evidence that existed during committal proceedings but was not read into the record, and not to entirely new evidence that never formed part of those proceedings.

He maintained that ACP Mahamba’s evidence had already been read during committal proceedings and that the prosecution’s opportunity to introduce fresh evidence had therefore expired.

He further argued that the proposed evidence was irrelevant because the alleged offence occurred on April 3, 2025, he was charged on April 10, 2025, and subsequently remanded, whereas the additional evidence related to events occurring both before and after the election.

In a ruling delivered on February 24, 2026, the High Court agreed with Mr Lissu, holding that Section 308 of the CPA permits only evidence that existed during committal proceedings but was not read into the record, not evidence obtained afterwards.

Justice Ndunguru found that the prosecution sought to introduce evidence obtained after the committal proceedings.

The Court therefore dismissed the application for contravening Section 308 of the CPA, prompting the Republic to seek a review before the Court of Appeal.