Category: The Citizen

Maswa. The CCM presidential candidate, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has pledged expansion use of drone surveillance stations across the Lake Zone, starting with Maswa District, to help tackle the persistent problem of wild animals invading villages and destroying farms.

Addressing a campaign rally in Maswa, Shinyanga Region, on Friday, October 11, 2025, President Hassan said the initiative was part of her government’s ongoing measures to protect both citizens and crops near game reserves. “I want to assure you that the government has started taking concrete steps.

Just yesterday (Friday), one of the monitoring centres here in Maswa received new equipment, including drones capable of detecting animals leaving the parks and directing rangers to drive them back,” she said. “We will build more of these centres across this region and other parts of the Lake Zone to ensure people and their farms are safe,” added President Hassan.

The CCM flagbearer told residents that her administration has made major strides in improving vital sectors such as education, water, health, electricity, agriculture, and livestock. She emphasised that her government would continue to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones to ensure every Tanzanian enjoys quality social services.

“We have achieved a lot in education, water, health, and electricity. But our work is not done yet.

We are continuing to ensure that every citizen has access to clean water and health services close to their respective home,” she said. President Hassan reaffirmed her administration’s determination to connect every hamlet to electricity, describing power as a cornerstone of both development and safety.

“Electricity means progress, it means security, and it brings light into our homes. Just as we pray to God for divine light, in this world, our light is electricity,” she said to loud applause.

“We have already connected all villages, and now we are moving to connect every hamlet. Our goal is for every household to have electricity,” she added.

Turning to agriculture, President Hassan highlighted her government’s continued support for farmers through fertiliser and input subsidies, irrigation projects, and livestock vaccination programmes. “We have made good progress with fertiliser subsidies and farm inputs.

We’ve renovated and built new cattle markets, and irrigation remains our top priority,” she explained. “By 2030, when I retire to my village, I want to see the agriculture sector growing by at least 10 percent annually, up from the current four or five percent,” stressed the CCM presidential hopeful.

She added that her administration is promoting the establishment of processing industries for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products to create employment opportunities for graduates from vocational and technical training centres. “We want our young people to find jobs in processing industries, turning our farm, livestock, and fish products into finished goods,” she said.

President Hassan also mentioned major infrastructure projects designed to boost the Simiyu economy, including the Sh18 billion Maswa bypass road and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Arusha, which will pass through Maswa. “The SGR will have a major station here in Maswa for both passengers and cargo.

This will open up new business opportunities for our people,” she said. Earlier, CCM Simiyu Regional Chairperson, Ms Shamsa Mohamed commended the government for major reforms in the cotton sector and efforts to address long-standing challenges facing farmers.

“Previously, our cotton farmers faced many difficulties, but the government has supplied fertilisers and pesticides,” she said. “Through the Ministry of Agriculture, we now have an investor who will build a factory in Itilima.

Since Simiyu leads the country in cotton production, this competition will raise prices for our farmers,” added the regional CCM chair. Ms Shamsa also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of wildlife in villages near conservation areas but expressed optimism that the 20252030 implementation plan, including the drone programme, will provide a lasting solution.

“Many villages border wildlife reserves, which causes human-wildlife conflict. But with these new drone centres, I’m confident this problem will soon be history,” she said.

President Hassan concluded her speech with a confident appeal to voters to maintain their trust in CCM, citing the party’s proven record of delivery. “When I took an oath to lead this nation, I said I would work and let the people themselves judge.

CCM has delivered, and we will continue to deliver. We believe we can do even more for Tanzanians,” she declared.

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Dar es Salaam. The Aga Khan University (AKU), through its Institute for Educational Development, East Africa, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has organised a walk to promote mental health, teamwork among teachers, and environmental cleanliness.

The event, which attracted over 100 participants, also featured a beach clean-up along the Indian Ocean in support of the government’s efforts to enhance environmental hygiene. Institutions under AKDN that took part included Diamond Trust Bank, Serena Hotels, Aga Khan Hospital, Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services, and Diamond Jubilee Insurance.

The five-kilometre walk began at Diamond Jubilee in Upanga and ended at the Aga Khan Hospital beach, where participants carried out the clean-up exercise. The Head of AKU Tanzania, Prof Eunice Pallangyo, told journalists after the cleanup on Saturday, October 11, 2025, that besides promoting physical fitness, staff joined other Tanzanians in cleaning the coastline to help preserve this vital natural resource.

“We recognise the importance of protecting the environment, which is why we participated in cleaning from one point to another. Today’s event also coincides with World Teachers’ Day, marked every October,” said Prof Pallangyo.

She underscored the need to honour teachers, describing them as the backbone of national development. “Teachers are extremely important, though often forgotten.

Yet no one has reached where they are today without passing through a teacher, from nursery to university. We must recognise and celebrate their contribution,” she said.

Prof Pallangyo added that the walk was also meant to promote teachers’ well-being and resilience in performing their duties effectively. She revealed that AKU staff had collectively contributed funds at undisclosed amount to support Muhimbili Primary School in Dar es Salaam by improving its infrastructure.

“We will also donate more than 1,000 books to encourage reading and learning among pupils at Muhimbili Primary School. This is just the beginning, we plan to visit Muhimbili National Hospital and the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in the near future,” said Prof Pallangyo.

The Assistant Head Teacher of Muhimbili Primary School, Mr Boniface Mbena, thanked AKU for its continued partnership, noting that the university has been a reliable supporter of the school’s development initiatives. “AKU has consistently assisted us in various ways, both materially and academically.

The donation of books will strengthen our reading and learning programmes and fill gaps where we have been lacking,” said Mr Mbena. .

Dar es Salaam. As the world observes the International Day of the Girl Child, the government is enhancing life skills education in schools to promote gender equality and empower students, particularly girls, to become confident, resilient, and active contributors to society.

The Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) Director of Curriculum Training, Dr Fika Mwakabungu, said the government is equipping teachers to integrate life skills effectively into the learning process. Speaking during the commemoration on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Dr Mwakabungu highlighted the need to empower teachers to create gender-responsive learning environments.

“In 2023, we revised training policies to define seven core areas of life skills education,” said Dr Mwakabungu, adding that teachers have been trained and provided with guides to implement these skills, with ongoing professional development supporting their integration into the curriculum. She noted that the competence-based curriculum emphasises critical thinking and action, with inclusive education for both boys and girls as a priority.

A monitoring system, including platforms such as Call Vox, tracks progress and gathers feedback. “A key initiative is led by Room to Read, in collaboration with TIE, to develop education programmes focusing on life skills, particularly for girls.

The programme fosters self-awareness, confidence, cooperation, and goal-setting,” she said. She added that the day aims to help girls become self-aware, connect with others, and achieve their goals.

School Quality Controller at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ms Catherine Kyando, commended the government for aligning reforms with Room to Read’s mission. “The impact is visible, significant progress is being made in our country,” she said.

Room to Read Tanzania Country Director, Ms Joan Minja, said girls, once marginalised, are now recognised as key drivers of development. “When you invest in a girl child, you help move the world forward,” she said.

From a legal and policy perspective, the Assistant Director of Child Rights and Development at the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Needs, Mr Mathias Haule, said the Ministry plays a crucial role in safeguarding child rights. He emphasised protecting children from abuse to ensure they grow into productive members of their families and society.

“Children must be nurtured through education and faith, free from discrimination based on race, gender, or poverty,” he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to helping all children, particularly girls, reach their full potential. “I am the change; I live as a girl on the frontline,” he added, echoing the event’s empowering theme.

Meanwhile, Gender Equality Portfolio, GEO Programme Manager, Ms Hadija Hassan, stressed the importance of addressing foundational challenges, including literacy and equitable access to education. “Development begins with an educated child.

We envision a world without reading barriers and gender inequality,” she said. She noted that GEO and Room to Read have reached over 45 million children across 28 countries, including extensive work in Tanzania’s four regions and 20 districts.

Their efforts include supporting 117 government schools, with girls’ attendance and participation closely monitored to ensure sustained engagement. “Equity means recognising that needs differ.

Even when a girl can attend school, factors such as menstrual health challenges may hinder her performance and lead to absenteeism,” stressed, Ms Hassan. .

Dar es Salaam. The Chaumma presidential candidate, Salum Mwalimu, has pledged sweeping reforms to modernise market infrastructure across Dar es Salaam if elected president on October 29, 2025. He said the current condition of food and open-air markets in the city was deplorable and vowed to transform them into safer, cleaner, and more conducive spaces for traders and consumers.

Mr Mwalimu was addressing a campaign rally in Msasani on Friday, October 10, 2025, during which he expressed disappointment with the state of the city’s markets. “How can Dar es Salaam have a market like this one in Msasani, and yet it sells food? Under my administration, I will not allow this.

If elected, I will rebuild it. I’ve seen many open-air markets across the city, why are they so filthy?” he questioned.

“Once in office, I will construct modern markets and ensure accessible infrastructure, including well-maintained roads for easy entry and exit,” he stressed. Mwalimu said Dar es Salaam, as the nation’s commercial hub, should be a city of opportunity, urging voters to choose visionary and pragmatic leaders with alternative policies to redefine its image.

“Today’s challenges demand energetic and motivated young leaders. It is unacceptable that many markets fail to meet proper standards, and we keep hearing of market fires almost every day.

This must end. Give Chaumma the government, and we will deliver real reforms,” he declared.

Chaumma’s Kawe parliamentary candidate, Ms Dorcus Francis, also pledged to empower young people economically through low-interest loans and to upgrade the Msasani Fish Market using revenue from the municipal council. “I want to see this market cleaner and equipped with better, more accessible infrastructure,” said Ms Francis.

Chaumma’s Director of Public Communications, Mr John Mrema, said the party was ready to deliver genuine change by fielding a young, capable, and visionary presidential candidate. He noted that, beyond having a youthful flag-bearer, Chaumma had developed robust and practical policies aimed at lifting Tanzanians out of poverty and empowering them socially and economically.

“We have strong policies that address the real challenges facing Tanzanians. What remains is for citizens to turn out in large numbers and vote for Mwalimu,” emphasised Mr Mrema.

He said the party believed the nation’s future lay in the hands of young, ethical leaders, stressing that Chaumma offered the best alternative for Tanzanians seeking genuine transformation. Chaumma Youth Wing Chairperson, Mr Masoud Mambo said the party had nominated competent and ethical candidates committed to serving the people effectively.

He added that the move formed part of efforts to bring meaningful change through the ballot box as a democratic tool. “What matters most is unity among citizens.

Let us come together and support these candidates to ensure representation in key decision-making bodies. Those who have held power for six decades have failed.

We must use this election to transform our lives,” said Mr Mambo. He emphasised that young people were central to driving political and social transformation, saying it was now their time to step forward in large numbers and support change through the new leaders endorsed by the party.

Mr Mambo added that Chaumma continued to prioritise youth and women candidates, reaffirming its commitment to equality and inclusive development for all. .

Dar es Salaam. For decades, Kariakoo has been Tanzania’s heartbeat of trade, a bustling market where traders and buyers haggle over clothes, shoes, and cosmetics.

But today, a smartphone has become more powerful than a shop in Kariakoo. With only an internet connection and good camera, a growing class of young online brokers popularly known as Winga in Swahili, are rewriting the rules of business in the country.

According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the country had over 54.1 million internet users as of June 2025. And for Winga, this digital audience has become their customer base. Many Winga source their products from Kariakoo, where wholesale traders offer clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories at affordable prices.

According to Thabit Abdul, who runs a thrift fashion page, his business depends less on location and more on how fast he posts online. “I usually go to Kariakoo a few times a week.

I look for clothes and shoes that are unique but affordable. Then I post them on Instagram and WhatsApp.

Most of the time, my items sell the same day,” he explained. On the other hand, handmade jewellery seller, Sofia Gidion, shared a similar experience, saying she turned Instagram and TikTok into her shopfront after graduation.

“At first, I thought I’d just share pictures with friends, but soon I had messages from people asking to buy. Now, a good month brings Sh300,000 to Sh800,000. I don’t pay rent, and my phone is enough to run the business,” she said.

Like many others, Fatma Saidi built her thrift fashion brand by buying from Kariakoo traders and reselling online. “I find unique pieces, buy them cheaply, and then sell them online.

Social media lets me reach buyers quickly without needing a physical shop,” she noted. She added that shipping was no longer a barrier.

“Sometimes I package orders and use local couriers, and other times I use DHL, so I don’t need to be a big company to send products abroad,” she shared Kariakoo phone seller Suleiman Mussa said the business model is now popular with students. “We work with young people, many of them university students, who buy phones or accessories and resell them to their peers.

It helps them generate income, and the demand keeps growing,” he said. Mr Mussa noted that many of his customers follow his WhatsApp status updates to check new arrivals, and most products sell within hours.

Not every Winga journey is smooth. Riziki Hassan, who sells clothing online, said one of her biggest challenges was friends and relatives asking for discounts or taking products on credit.

“Once people see you posting items online, they assume it’s easy to give things for free or on credit. But when they don’t pay back, the business suffers,” she said.

Riziki explained that success depended on understanding customers. “This business has no physical shop.

It’s just you, your phone, and your social media pages. The most important thing is to know your customers, have a good phone with a strong camera, and stay online with internet data all the time,” she shared While many started with thrift goods from Kariakoo, some Winga now directly import items from abroad.

Small shipments from China, Dubai, India, and even the United States are making their way into Tanzania through individual dealers. Their shops remain Instagram reels, TikTok videos, WhatsApp statuses, and Facebook stories, where promotion drives sales.

Judith James, once a Kariakoo-based Winga, now imports her own products. “I no longer rely heavily on local shops.

I started small, studied the game, and today I import directly,” she said. She credited social media for this transformation.

“Social media has made it possible for us to grow beyond just reselling. It allows us to run real businesses, connect directly with customers, and become independent,” she explained.

Technology analyst Dominic Dismas believes Winga are changing the way Tanzanians think about shopping. “Consumers are no longer limited to shop hours or specific locations.

With a smartphone, they can shop at midnight, compare prices instantly, and interact directly with sellers. That’s a revolution,” he said.

The smartphone has become the new storefront, with every post a potential sale. And as more Winga gain confidence, Kariakoo is no longer just a physical market it has become the supply hub of a digital economy driven by creativity, convenience, and connectivity.

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Dar es Salaam. Economic and development experts have emphasised that addressing the skills mismatch is crucial to achieving Vision 2050, which aims to transform Tanzania into a $1 trillion economy with a per capita income of $7,000. Speaking at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Conference 2025 in Iringa yesterday, experts from higher learning institutions noted that recent improvements to the national education curriculum could steer the country towards Vision 2050 (Dira 2050) provided there is greater investment in learning infrastructure and qualified teaching staff.

The conference, jointly organised by Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU) and the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), was held under the theme: Vision 2050: Are we building an inclusive economy? PPPC executive director, David Kafulila, said the global economy rests on four pillars: geographical location, natural resources, diplomacy, and human resources. “Quality human capital is key for building Tanzania’s economy, as sustainability depends more on skilled personnel than natural endowments,” he said.

He highlighted the long-standing mismatch between classroom knowledge and market needs. He added that government initiatives, including free education and student loan schemes for mid-level colleges, are being implemented to bridge the gap between skills and employment.

RUCU Vice Chancellor, Sister Prof Chrispine Lekule, said education reforms will guide the country towards its development targets if effectively implemented. “Most schools and colleges lack adequate facilities for practical training.

Teachers must also be prepared for competency-based teaching, which is prioritised in the new curriculum,” she said. Senior RUCU lecturer, Dr Isdore Minani, noted that Tanzania scores 0.

39 on the Human Capital Index, meaning today’s youth will achieve only 39 percent of their productive potential. “Vision 2050 requires skilled human capital, and more investment is urgently needed,” he said.

Daima Associates chairman, Prof Samuel Wangwe, highlighted priority sectors under Dira 2050, including agriculture, industry, mining, sports, creative industries, finance, and tourism. He stressed that inclusive PPP arrangements are essential to support these sectors, reduce government borrowing, and improve infrastructure.

Speakers agreed that public-private partnerships remain vital for national development. They highlighted that PPPs are collaborative arrangements, not privatisation, and allow private-sector co-financing of projects, while enabling closer alignment between education, skills, and market needs.

Experts further called for stronger ethics in education, improved communication on PPPs, and inclusive participation to enhance accountability and impact. Participants also agreed that boosting productivity, modernising agriculture, and expanding access to technology and financing are key to creating an inclusive economy and tackling youth unemployment, paving the way for a competitive and sustainable Tanzania by 2050. Sharing further clarification on addressing skills mismatch, Prof Lekule emphasised that quality education is the engine of change, noting that Tanzania cannot achieve its Vision 2050 goals without it.

She said Tanzania requires critical thinkers, skilled innovators, and leaders of integrity to drive sustainable economic growth. “Universities must lead social transformation through research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration with other sectors,” she said.

“Education and research should deliver solutions to Tanzania’s social and economic challenges. For Vision 2050 to succeed, transformation must start from the grassroots to the tertiary education levels,” she added.

Prof Lekule urged stronger public-private partnerships and curricula that integrate innovation, science, technology, vocational training, and gender equality. She insisted that investment in teachers, infrastructure, research, and skills transfer is vital.

“Educators should be role models, and young people must see education as a tool for national service. Education is central to our future,” she insisted, urging collective action to build a skilled, innovative, and prosperous Tanzania.

Substantiating the significance of Tanzania’s geographical position, resources, and diplomacy to drive growth, Mr Kafulila said Tanzania’s strategic position as a gateway to several landlocked countries presents substantial economic opportunities. He said over the past three decades, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure to capitalise on this advantage.

He stressed that key projects include the expansion of Dar es Salaam Port, generating nearly 40 percent of national revenue, and upgrading roads and bridges. “In the last four years alone, gravel roads have grown from 24,000 to 44,000 kilometres, while tarmac roads rose from 13,200 to 15,300 kilometres.

Despite progress, Tanzania’s vast size, larger than half of East Africa combined, remains a logistical challenge,” he said. Mr Kafulila noted that the country can harness its abundant natural resources to accelerate growth, with results already evident.

He said that since 2021, the contribution of artisanal miners to the economy has doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent, enhancing inclusivity. “Tourism earnings surged from $1.3 billion in 2021 to $4 billion last year, creating 1.

5 million jobs and increasing tour operators from 2,800 to 3,700. Irrigated land expanded from 500,000 to 980,000 hectares, boosting agricultural productivity,” said Mr Kafulila. He said a fertiliser plant has been built in Dodoma with a capacity of one million tonnes to meet national demand.

“Meat-processing factories have risen from three to seven, while mineral processing plants increased from three to nine, creating more jobs and enhancing industrial capacity,” he insisted. Explaining why diplomacy was a growth engine, Mr Kafulila said diplomatic stability is crucial for economic growth, with global trade depending on robust engagement.

“Tanzania’s trade surged from $17 billion in 2021 to over $32 billion in 2024, driven by strategic diplomacy. Dar es Salaam Port’s capacity rose from 17 million tonnes in 2021 to 30 million tonnes in 2024, improving efficiency,” he told the conference.

Furthermore, he said securing development loans has been pivotal, noting that despite rising debt, the gains are evident in infrastructure, including roads, major bridges such as the Magufuli Bridges, and the Sh270 billion Kilwa Fishing Port — the largest in East and Central Africa. He said transmission lines expanded from 6,000 km over six decades to 8,000 km in three years, a 30 percent increase.

According to him, power generation rose from 1,700 MW to over 4,000 MW, making Tanzania East Africa’s leader. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 46 percent, below Kenya’s 70 percent and Rwanda’s 71 percent, and credit ratings of B+ from Moody’s and Fitch, the government aims for a $1 trillion economy by 2050. This translates to about $7,000 per capita for a projected population of 140 million, with the PPPs described as the key leader in the realization of the economic growth.

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Dodoma. When a family is forced to choose between buying schoolbooks and having a meal, it is not just another tale of hardship but a case study of the psychological burden that poverty creates.

Economic deprivation leaves not only visible scars of malnutrition but also invisible ones like emotional trauma and mental distress that last a lifetime. Across low- and middle-income countries, poverty has become a frontline driver of depression and anxiety.

Research from Malawi, Tanzania and global institutions such as the World Bank and WHO links financial shocks, food scarcity, job losses and rising healthcare costs to worsening mental health, a vicious cycle that undermines resilience and productivity. As the world marks World Mental Health Day, experts are calling for poverty reduction to be treated as a central mental health strategy.

The Regional Medical Officer for Dodoma, Dr Rutachunzibwa, recently told The Citizen’s sister publication, Mwananchi, that health providers and the public should “seek alternative sources of income to free themselves from the chainsaw of poverty”, which he said remains a major driver of mental illness and suicide cases. In recent years, young people have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI) tools for support, motivation and income generation.

A 2024 report by Gusto Insight Entrepreneurship, authored by Senior Economist Nick Tremper, found that Gen Z entrepreneurs are 56 percent more likely than Gen X to use generative AI in business operations. However, this growing dependence on technology has raised concerns about overreliance and exposure to psychological risks.

A tragic illustration of this came in April 2025, when 16-year-old British national died by suicide after months of conversations with an AI platform. His parents have since sued the AI platform, alleging the chatbot “actively enabled and coached” his suicidal behaviour.

The case, which is still ongoing, has sparked global debate on AI accountability and safety in mental health interactions. Mental health discussions have become more open among the youth, though generational differences persist.

Older generations in developing countries often dismiss mental health issues as exaggerations, leaving younger people to struggle in silence. Victor Mutta, 32, shared with The Citizen how depression derailed his academic life: “I dropped out because of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

It took a couple of years to recover, but by then going back to university meant starting over. I’ve always been intelligent, so starting over felt too shameful.

” During the Covid-19 lockdown, Victor found new purpose through digital learning and AI-powered platforms, a sign of how technology can both hinder and heal. The Head of the Psychology Department at Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital, Dr Japhet Swai, told The Citizen that AI should be viewed as a tool, not a therapist.

“Nothing is inherently good or bad; it depends on how we use it. AI can enhance learning and research, but young people must be careful how they engage with a technology we still don’t fully control.

” Dr Swai cautioned that AI lacks the empathy and perception essential in therapy. “A chatbot can’t read subtle human cues like tone, facial expression and hesitation which only years of clinical experience can interpret,” he said.

He also warned of data privacy risks, noting that tech owners hold significant control over user information, which could be accessed under certain legal pressures. Clinical psychiatrist Dr Veronica Lymo of Mirembe Hospital urged Tanzanians to seek help when struggling with mental health challenges.

“There is no shame in asking for help. Thinking you must face it alone makes you a prisoner of your own mind,” she said.

Mirembe Hospital’s Executive Director, Dr Paul Lawala, revealed that the institution has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University in Uganda to establish a Mental Health Call Centre. “The new 24-hour call centre will ensure that those experiencing mental distress can access help immediately and be referred to the nearest health centre before reaching Mirembe for specialist care,” Dr Lawala said.

As the world embraces AI-driven solutions, experts say the challenge is finding balance, using technology as a bridge to wellness, not a replacement for human connection. .

Arusha. Government officials from Kenya and Uganda, development partners, investors, and private sector leaders are expected to converge in Kampala, Uganda, later this month to explore financing options for the 193-kilometre KenyaUganda Multinational Expressway Project.

Codenamed the Market Sounding Conference, the two-day meeting scheduled to start on October 20 will seek a viable financing model for the expressway that will link KisumuBusia in Kenya to KakiraMalaba in Uganda. The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with the governments of Kenya and Uganda and the African Development Bank (AfDB), is organising the event.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 9, 2025, the EAC described the project as a key component of the Northern Transport Corridor, designed to enhance regional trade, improve transport efficiency, and foster cross-border integration. The expressway will also upgrade key border posts at Busia, Malaba, and Lwakhakha into modern One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), easing the movement of goods and people across the region.

“This project is not just about building a road; it is about creating a modern, safe, and efficient transport artery that connects businesses, people, and opportunities across East Africa,” said the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Planning and Productive, Social, and Political sectors, Andrea Ariik Malueth. He said that the Market Sounding Conference represents “a turning point in our efforts to establish a strategy for sustainable infrastructure development through private sector funding–transforming trade, strengthening regional integration, and unlocking opportunities for millions of our citizens.

” The conference will serve as a key platform for governments, financiers, development partners, and the private sector to engage on the expressway project. Participants will review the findings of detailed feasibility studies, including traffic forecasts, engineering designs, and environmental and social impact assessments.

A Bankability Report will also be presented, outlining proposals for viable public-private partnership (PPP) financing models based on project cost estimates. “There will be ample opportunity for rich dialogue on how to mobilise resources effectively and sustainably,” said Mr Malueth.

Beyond the technical discussions, the event will invite investors, bilateral donors, and development finance institutions to contribute ideas on enhancing the project’s bankability and ensuring it delivers lasting value. Discussions will also highlight how the expressway is expected to transform regional connectivity by easing cross-border trade, lowering transport costs, and spurring economic growth across East Africa.

The conference is expected to attract strong interest from investors and financiers, generating constructive feedback on the project’s design, feasibility, and financing models. It is also anticipated to build consensus on sustainable and inclusive approaches to project implementation while addressing potential environmental and social impacts.

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Dodoma. The High Court of Tanzania sitting in Dodoma has postponed the judgment in the case filed by Luhaga Mpina against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rescheduling it for October 15, 2025. The presiding judge, Justice Fredrick Manyanda, who leads a panel of three judges hearing the case, said the adjournment was due to two main reasons: the judges are still deliberating on the matter, and they want to ensure the written judgment is comprehensive and free from ambiguity.

Justice Manyanda said the judgment would be delivered online starting at 9:00 a.m.

on the new date and directed the Registrar of the High Court, Dodoma Registry, to ensure that the court’s internet network is in good condition so that Tanzanians can follow the proceedings. The case came up for judgment on Friday, October 10, 2025, with several ACT-Wazalendo leaders — including Party Leader Dorothy Semu and Acting Secretary-General Mbarala Maharagande — arriving early at the court.

Also present were Luhaga Mpina and Fatma Fereji, who had both sought nomination from the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest parliamentary seats in the Dodoma and Morogoro regions, along with many party supporters, most of them youth. The case, which has drawn significant attention from legal and political observers, revolves around the legality of INEC’s decision to bar ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidates from contesting in the upcoming general election.

The panel of judges — Fredrick Manyanda, Sylvester Kainda, and Abdallah Gonzi — entered the courtroom and took their seats ready to deliver the ruling. After the legal representatives of both sides introduced themselves, Justice Manyanda addressed the court, saying: “Today we were expected to deliver the judgment, but there are two things we must be fully satisfied with.

Although this is a matter of urgency, we need to ensure our decision is solid and clearly written,” he said. The judgment in case number 23617 is expected to be historic, potentially setting a new precedent in the interpretation of Tanzania’s electoral laws and the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, ACT-Wazalendo officials have repeatedly stated that even if they were granted just two days of campaigning, it would be enough for them to win the presidency .

Unguja. Humans dream and strive to turn those dreams into reality.

They imagine and nurture aspirations of becoming someone meaningful in society. The saying “plans are not the same as actions” bears a striking resemblance to “effort cannot surpass destiny.

” You may plan, but your plans might not align with how life unfolds. You may strive, yet your efforts may not meet the destiny ordained for you.

In his early years, Hussein Juma Salum aspired to become a scientist. Science fascinated him, and every morning he woke up envisioning himself among the world’s great scientists.

He studied diligently in primary school, and when he joined secondary education, he chose the science stream. However, despite his passion, his exam results revealed something different.

While he struggled with science subjects, his best marks consistently came from political and social studies. The results reflected what was within him–a politician rather than a scientist.

When he completed his O-Level studies, the results confirmed it: science had failed him, but politics had embraced him. What seemed like disappointment then was, in fact, a divine redirection.

Today, that same Hussein is the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) presidential candidate for Zanzibar in the 2025 General Election. This is not his first attempt at the presidency.

In the 2020 General Election, Hussein’s name appeared on the ballot as a contender for the presidency of Zanzibar and chairman of the Revolutionary Council. In 2015, he was a running mate in the Union presidential race, partnering with the TLP’s presidential flagbearer, Machmillan Elifatio Lyimo.

His earlier political bid came in 2000, when he contested the Kikwajuni parliamentary seat in Unguja under the TLP ticket. Early life and education Hussein was born on May 27, 1966, at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital–then known as VI Lenin Hospital–in Zanzibar.

He is the third child of his father, Juma Salum Juma, and the seventh of his mother, Zaina Hussein Msumari. His education journey began in 1973 at Mkwakwani Primary School in Tanga, where his parents had relocated.

He completed Standard Seven in 1979 but was not selected to join secondary school on the Mainland. Since primary education in Zanzibar extended to Standard Eight, his parents sent him to Hurumzi Primary School in Stone Town, where he excelled in his final exams.

He joined Shangani Secondary School in 1981, later moving to Forodhani Secondary School in 1982 and finally Haile Selassie Secondary School, where he completed his O-Level studies in 1984. Though his grades did not secure him a place in advanced studies, Hussein joined the Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) for one year of national service training. Thereafter, due to his satisfactory results, he was recruited by the government as an untrained teacher.

He began teaching at Tumekuja Primary School in 1987 before moving briefly to Forodhani and Darajani Primary Schools in Stone Town. However, he resigned in 1990, citing low pay that barely covered his expenses.

That decision marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial and political journey. Entry into politics While teaching, one of his students, Mohammed Abdullah, recognised leadership potential in him and encouraged him to join politics.

In 1994, Hussein joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) as an ordinary member. Four years later, he switched to the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP), where his leadership journey began.

In 1999, he was elected Deputy Treasurer for Zanzibar, and in 2005, he became the Deputy Secretary General for Zanzibar, a position he has retained to date. Why the presidency? Hussein says his decision to run for president is rooted in both his constitutional right and his concern for the socio-economic wellbeing of Zanzibaris.

While acknowledging the progress made, he argues that economic growth has not translated into improved living standards for ordinary citizens. He envisions a Zanzibar where quality education becomes the foundation for personal and national transformation.

His priority will be promoting science and technology education to ensure Zanzibaris keep pace with global advancements. Fighting corruption will also top his agenda.

He believes existing anti-corruption institutions have sufficient frameworks but lack effective supervision. He pledges to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency.

Hussein’s flagship policy is reviving agriculture. He believes that Zanzibar’s economy has neglected the sector for too long.

“We no longer talk about agriculture as the backbone of our economy. Yet we once exported coconuts to Dar es Salaam; today, we import them from Mafia.

Fertile rice valleys are underutilised,” he laments. “If elected president, I will modernise farming, particularly rice production, to ensure Zanzibar achieves self-sufficiency in its staple food,” he adds.

“With our land potential, I will transform Zanzibar into an agriculture-driven economy. All I ask is for my fellow Zanzibaris to trust me with their votes.

” Hussein also served as a member of the Constituent Assembly during the 2014 constitutional review process. Life beyond politics Outside politics, Hussein is an entrepreneur.

He currently sells sardines, transporting them from Zanzibar to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. In the past, he dealt in fruits and poultry between Tanga, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.

After leaving teaching, he even ventured into ruby mining in Mahenge, Morogoro, before shifting to more sustainable business ventures. He is married to Amana Suleiman Mzee, and together they have two daughters, Rukia and Zaina.

Hussein urges Zanzibaris to turn out in large numbers to vote and maintain peace during the elections. “Peace should never be taken for granted,” he says.

“Once it is lost, it is very difficult to restore.” .