Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. As M23 rebels from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) take control of the border town of Uvira, 52 refugees have crossed into Tanzania’s Kigoma Region, where they are currently undergoing security screening by state authorities.

Uvira, now under the control of the M23 rebels, serves as the administrative capital of South Kivu Province. The town lies in eastern DRC and borders Tanzania through Lake Tanganyika.

The journey from Uvira to Kigoma is short, with water transport costing approximately Sh15,000. Speaking to The Citizen on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Kigoma Regional Commissioner, Ambassador Simon Sirro, said the region is fully prepared to address any security threats arising from the situation. He confirmed that security surveillance and border patrols have been intensified, particularly along Lake Tanganyika, to safeguard residents as authorities question the 52 refugees who fled the unrest.

Ambassador Sirro said preparations began immediately after reports emerged that Uvira had fallen under rebel control, with the government working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “We have been prepared from the outset.

We share a water border with the DRC through Lake Tanganyika, and we have already held discussions with UNHCR,” said Sirro, a retired Inspector General of Police. He added that defence and security organs, including the Police Force, have been reinforced and are conducting round-the-clock patrols, including operations aimed at preventing crime and armed robbery on the lake.

The 52 refugees received from the DRC are being interviewed to verify their status before being handed over to UNHCR for transfer to designated refugee camps. “We are continuing with interviews to establish whether they are genuine refugees before further steps are taken,” he said.

Sirro warned that the government remains alert to the risk of individuals entering the country with weapons by blending in with civilians. On the general security situation, Sirro assured residents that Kigoma Region remains calm and directed security committees from the village, ward and district levels up to the regional level to discharge their duties diligently.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report immediately any unfamiliar individuals or suspicious activities. “Security is the responsibility of every Tanzanian,” he said, adding that the government will continue to take all necessary measures to protect peace, citizens and their property.

Challenges facing Tanzanian driversAs Sirro issued the security update, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the DRC, Said Mshana, addressed serious security challenges facing Tanzanian drivers working in the conflict-hit areas. The newspaper shared with him a video circulating on social media showing a Tanzanian driver in Uvira lamenting the deteriorating security situation, with gunfire clearly audible in the background.

Ambassador Mshana said eastern DRC is vast and that the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu continue to face severe insecurity. Some areas are under the control of armed groups, including M23, AFC and ADF, exposing travellers and traders to grave danger.

“We consistently provide guidance to drivers and their employers, urging them to take maximum precautions when travelling in these areas,” he said. He stressed the importance of drivers understanding the security situation of their intended destinations to avoid harm caused by rebel groups.

Mshana advised that any driver encountering difficulties should immediately contact relatives or employers to facilitate communication with the embassy. He emphasised the need to know the driver’s phone number, exact location and distance from the border to enable swift intervention.

He explained that such information allows the embassy to coordinate with neighbouring countries, including Burundi or Rwanda, to secure safe and timely assistance for affected Tanzanian citizens. Since the outbreak of violence, he said, many Tanzanians have been assisted through diplomatic cooperation.

“Just recently, after being contacted, I coordinated with the Tanzanian embassy in Kigali, which helped our citizens cross from Bukavu back to Tanzania through Rwanda,” he said. .

Dar es Salaam. Taifa Stars captain Mbwana Samatta and several other foreign-based players are expected to join the national team’s residential camp starting today in Cairo, Egypt, as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The Taifa Stars squad is already settled in Cairo, where head coach Miguel Gamondi has begun sharpening his team ahead of a demanding Group C campaign that will pit Tanzania against continental heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as regional rivals Uganda.

Speaking to The Citizen from Cairo yesterday, Taifa Stars head of delegation Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir confirmed that some foreign-based players have already linked up with the team, while others were completing club commitments over the weekend and are now expected to arrive. Striker Kelvin John, who plays for Aalborg BK in Denmark, joined the camp a few days ago, while midfielder Charles M’Mombwa of Floriana FC in Malta has also reported for duty.

Jabir explained that the remaining overseas-based players were granted permission to honour their club fixtures in line with international regulations. “As per the rules, players were allowed to complete their league matches with their respective clubs over the weekend.

Starting today, we expect the rest to arrive and join the camp,” said Jabir. Taifa Stars skipper Samatta, who features for French Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC, was in action yesterday as his club faced Lyon.

Midfielder Novatus Miroshi also had club duties, with his Turkish Super League side Galztepe FC taking on Gaziantep. Other foreign-based players expected to join the camp include defender Haji Mnoga of Salford City (England), Forward Simon Msuva of Al-Talaba SC (Iraq), midfielder Tarryn Allarakhia of Rochdale AFC (England), Miano Danilo of FK Panevezys (Lithuania), and Alphonse Mabula, who plays for FC Shamakhi in Azerbaijan.

Mabula is expected to arrive later today. “Most of the foreign-based players did not travel with the team in the first batch due to club engagements.

We are now completing the necessary procedures to ensure they join the camp smoothly and in accordance with the regulations,” Jabir added. Under Gamondi’s guidance, Tanzania will open their Group C campaign against Nigeria on December 23, before facing Uganda on December 27. The Stars will then conclude the group stage against Tunisia on December 30. With the gradual arrival of key overseas-based players, the technical bench hopes to build cohesion, improve match sharpness and fine-tune tactical plans as Taifa Stars chase a strong showing at the Afcon finals in Morocco.

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Nairobi. Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr Hamad Masauni, has been endorsed as one of the eight vice presidents for the eighth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-8).

The endorsement followed the formal nomination process for the new UNEA Bureau, which assumes office at the close of UNEA-7 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi. Under UNEA rules of procedure, a new president, eight vice presidents and a rapporteur are elected at the end of each session.

For UNEA-8, the African Group was allocated two vice-presidential positions, both filled through endorsed nominations. Mr Masauni will serve alongside Libya’s minister of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Alarabi Munir, as the two vice presidents representing Africa.

Jamaica’s Mr Matthew Samuda is set to assume the UNEA-8 presidency, having been endorsed by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC). Other vice presidents endorsed include Fiji’s Mr Mosese Bulitavu and Sri Lanka’s Mr Dammika Patabendi from the Asia-Pacific Group; Georgia’s Ms Nino Tandilashvili and Hungary’s Ms Aniko Raisz from the Eastern European Group; Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Ms Joyelle Clarke representing GRULAC; and Germany’s Mr Jochen Flasbarth from the Western European and Others Group.

Switzerland’s Mr Felix Wertli is set to serve as rapporteur. The new Bureau will steer preparations for UNEA-8, scheduled for December 610, 2027, including agenda-setting and negotiations on global environmental priorities.

Mr Masauni’s endorsement is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s profile in multilateral environmental diplomacy, particularly on climate action, pollution and biodiversity. UNEA-7 concluded with the adoption of 11 resolutions, three decisions and a ministerial declaration addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

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Dar es Salaam. Residents of Dar es Salaam, Simiyu, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma and Arusha regions are grappling with one of the most severe water shortages in recent years, forcing households and businesses alike to adopt drastic coping measures to sustain daily life.

In Dar es Salaam, families have turned to buying bottled water for cooking, suspending activities that require large volumes of water, storing every available drop in buckets and drums, and relying heavily on privately owned wells. The shortage has reshaped routines, with many residents now planning household activities around erratic and unpredictable water supply schedules.

A 20-litre jerrycan of water in the commercial capital costs between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000, prices that many low-income households find difficult to sustain. In Morogoro, the situation is even more precarious, with some communities resorting to using contaminated water drawn from valleys and seasonal streams, raising concerns about public health risks.

The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) says production at the Lower Ruvu Water Treatment Plant has dropped sharply from 270 million litres per day to about 50 million litres, severely constraining supply to the city and surrounding areas. The authority attributes the decline to reduced water levels in the Ruvu River, compounded by prolonged dry conditions.

Earlier this month, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) attributed the rainfall deficit to La Niaa conditions, which are expected to ease by January. The country is also experiencing unusually high temperatures.

On November 21, Moshi in Kilimanjaro Region recorded 35.7C, about 4.2C above the long-term average, intensifying evaporation and water demand.

In Dar es Salaam neighbourhoods such as Goba, Mbezi and Tabata, residents say water now arrives sporadically, if at all. A Goba resident, Ms Rose Joseph, said her family keeps buckets permanently on standby but often ends up buying water when scheduled supply fails.

“Sometimes we buy a six-litre container for S,000 just for cooking. Even when salty tap water is available, long queues mean we may wait several days,” she said.

Similarly, Ms Rehema Rajab from Kimara Suka said her area has gone nearly three weeks without piped water. Households now depend on privately owned deep wells, where a bucket sells for Sh300 or more.

“For cooking, we have no option. Bottled water is essential because the salty water is unsuitable,” she explained.

In Magarisaba, landlord Mr Goodliving Emmanuel said he has advised tenants to temporarily suspend water-intensive activities such as laundry in order to conserve the limited supply. “They understand the situation, and many are relying on salty water from private wells for basic needs,” he said.

Dawasa Chief Executive Officer, Mkama Bwire, said the authority has taken several measures to mitigate the crisis, including restoring the Ruvu River to its natural course, rehabilitating boreholes and connecting them to the existing supply network. He urged residents to adopt water-saving practices, store water during the dry season and use available resources more efficiently.

Way forward Experts warn that without long-term strategies for source protection, storage and water harvesting, the crisis will continue to disrupt livelihoods and constrain economic activity. Among the proposed solutions is the construction of large reservoirs to capture and store rainwater during wet seasons.

These proposals align with the CCM 20252030 election manifesto, which pledges increased investment in boreholes and dams. Other recommendations include completing the national water grid, guiding households on installing and managing private wells, finalising major promised projects and strengthening public education on climate change adaptation.

Key strategies outlined in the National Water Policy include developing climate-resilient storage infrastructure, reducing the risks posed by droughts and floods, and exploring alternative water sources such as wastewater recycling, desalination and inter-basin water transfer systems. Speaking yesterday a senior lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, Dr Yohana Lawi, said current water supplies remain inadequate despite ongoing infrastructure improvements.

“Even during the rainy season, supply does not meet demand, and the situation worsens significantly during droughts,” he said, adding that many existing interventions are short-term. For sustainable solutions, Dr Lawi recommended sourcing water from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, completing the national water grid and promoting household-level rainwater harvesting.

He also called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector in drilling and legally managing boreholes to ensure equitable access. Environmental expert Ms Rahel Elibariki said reliance on rainfall alone is no longer viable.

“It is essential to implement storage and harvesting measures, including dams and boreholes, to meet both current and future needs,” she said, stressing that large-scale tree planting should be treated as an emergency measure to help restore natural ecosystems. Another environmental specialist, Dr Aidan Msafiri, emphasised the need for permanent, coordinated solutions.

“Planning for 2026 and beyond must start now, rather than waiting for recurring crises,” he said. He added that while policies are sound, weak implementation and limited political will continue to undermine progress, calling for shared accountability across public and private institutions.

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Dar es Salaam. Former Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club golfer Philippe Corsaletti has earned international recognition after being named among the Top 50 Kids Coaches of 2025 by US Kids Golf, the world’s leading organization dedicated to the development of young golfers.

Now based in Villeneuve-Loubet, France, Corsaletti is a member of Golf de la Vanade, where he has built a strong reputation for junior golf development. His inclusion in the prestigious list places him among elite golf educators drawn from 20 U.

S. states and 10 different countries, underlining the global significance of the honour.

The Top 50 Kids Coach Award celebrates instructors who go beyond technical teaching to create a positive, engaging, and nurturing environment for young players. According to U.

S. Kids Golf, the recognition is reserved for coaches who consistently demonstrate excellence in player development while using innovative methods and best-in-class resources to inspire the next generation.

“We celebrate these coaches because of their remarkable ability to teach golf skills while also instilling a love of the game,” said Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S.

Kids Golf. “They are not just creating really good players; they are creating lifelong players.

For a kids’ golf coach, there is no greater reward.” Established in 2004, the U.

S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Coach Award is widely regarded as the highest distinction for junior golf coaches worldwide.

Candidates are evaluated by a selection committee from among certified coaches, using a comprehensive set of criteria. These include innovation, creativity, player retention, communication skills, parental engagement, organization, and most importantly, the ability to spark and sustain a passion for the game among young golfers.

Corsaletti’s journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to youth golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development. His journey to global recognition reflects years of dedication to junior golf, combining his playing background with a modern coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, discipline, and long-term development.

All award recipients, including Corsaletti, will be officially honoured during a special presentation on January 21 at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, one of the largest gatherings of golf professionals and industry leaders in the world. About US Kids Golf Founded in 1996, U.

S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization devoted to growing golf among youth and families.

The organization provides junior golf equipment across three distinct club lines, available in up to 10 different sizes to suit children of all ages and abilities. Through the U.

S. Kids Golf Foundation, more than 1,600 tournaments are hosted annually worldwide, including the prestigious U.

S. Kids Golf World Championship held each year in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The Foundation also runs a global Coaches Institute with over 1,800 members, and owns Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, a pioneering facility described as a “living laboratory” for innovative golf practices. In recognition of its impact, U.

S. Kids Golf was named among the Top 100 Businesses in Golf by the National Golf Foundation in both 2018 and 2020, based on influence, innovation, and social good.

Corsaletti’s achievement stands as a proud milestone for junior golf development and a powerful reminder of the global reach of the game. .

Dar es Salaam. As rainfall across Tanzania becomes increasingly erratic, delayed and insufficient, the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (Agcot) has issued an urgent advisory calling on farmers to place soil health at the centre of their climate-change response.

Agcot warns that declining and unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures now pose a structural threat to agricultural productivity rather than a temporary setback. While expanding irrigation remains important, the organisation says it is no longer sufficient on its own and must be complemented by climate-smart approaches, particularly deliberate investment in soil health.

These include the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, improved seed capable of escaping drought, and farming systems that protect soil structure and organic matter. The advisory builds on experience gained during Agcot’s earlier operations as Sagcot, when, in collaboration with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (Tari), it conducted field trials on soil-health-based farming systems.

According to Agcot, results consistently showed that farms which protected soil structure and organic matter performed significantly better under conditions of low and unreliable rainfall. The organisation says the guidance reflects realities observed across smallholder farms nationwide, including the Coastal Belt, Central regions, Northern Highlands and Lake Zone.

Continued exposure of soil without protective cover has been identified as a major cause of erosion, loss of fertile topsoil, rapid moisture depletion, destruction of soil biodiversity and declining crop yields. The advisory comes as Tanzania again faces reduced rainfall linked to the La Niaa climate phenomenon, which meteorological experts associate with delayed onset of rains, prolonged dry spells and episodes of intense heat, particularly in Coastal and Central zones.

These conditions have increasingly resulted in what experts describe as a “green drought”, where crops germinate after early rains but fail mid-season due to poor moisture retention. Agcot says farmers who invest in soil health are far better positioned to withstand such conditions, as healthy soils store moisture and nutrients, allowing crops to survive extended dry spells and reducing the risk of total crop failure even when rainfall is below average.

Field observations cited in the advisory show widespread cases of young maize crops growing on bare soil without any residue cover. Although such soils may still be productive, direct exposure to intense sunlight leads to rapid drying, early plant stress and stunted growth.

Agcot notes that this is no longer a localised problem but a national challenge requiring a shift in land management practices. As a response, the organisation is urging a decisive transition to Conservation Agriculture, anchored on continuous soil cover, reduced soil disturbance and crop diversification.

Maintaining even a thin soil cover through retained residues or mulch helps lower soil temperatures and reduce moisture loss, while reduced ploughing preserves soil structure and improves water infiltration. Crop rotation and intercropping with legumes such as pigeon pea, lablab and velvet bean also enhance soil fertility and moisture retention.

Agcot highlights particular challenges in sandy soils, especially in Coastal and Central Tanzania, where rapid drainage limits moisture availability. It notes that many soils have organic carbon levels below 0.

3 percent, far below the minimum 0.7 percent required for resilience.

Through the use of cover crops, manure, compost and biochar, farmers can raise soil carbon levels within three to four years. For the first time, Agcot is strongly promoting biochar as a practical and affordable solution, especially in rice-growing areas where husks are often burned or discarded.

When properly carbonised and incorporated into the soil, biochar turns agricultural waste into a long-term reservoir for water and nutrients. Research from Tari stations in Tumbi, Ilonga, Selian and Mbinga shows that combining soil cover, conservation tillage and water-harvesting practices can double or even quadruple maize yields during drought years, while enabling crops to survive up to two weeks longer without rainfall during mid-season dry spells.

The advisory aligns with the Tanzania Agriculture Master Plan 2050 and broader continental efforts to restore soil health as the foundation of sustainable growth. Agcot Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Kirenga said soil health must now be treated as a strategic priority.

“The time has come for farmers to give soil health the same importance we have long given to improved seed and fertiliser,” he said. “Without living, protected soil, no technology can save our crops.

” Agcot is calling on farmers, extension officers, research institutions and development partners to mainstream Conservation Agriculture practices, warning that leaving soil bare leads to direct economic losses and perpetuates low productivity and rural poverty. .

Dar es Salaam. Two elite amateur golfers are locked in a thrilling duel for the top spot in the prestigious Lina PG Tour 2025 edition.

Enosh Wacheche and Isiaka Dunia, both representing Lugalo Golf Club, currently share the lead on the Order of Merit with 70 points each, setting the stage for an exciting grand finale. The season-ending event, now scheduled for January 2026 at Kili Golf Course in Arusha, will determine the overall winners of the 2025 season, the second edition of the Lina PG Tour.

In the professional category, Fadhyl Nkya has already secured the crown after amassing an unassailable 80 points, leaving no golfer able to surpass him, even if he skips the final event. “We will stage the event in January 2026. The finals are essential because several golfers are still in contention for titles in both the elite amateur and professional categories.

Although Fadhyl Nkya has already claimed the professional crown, other positions remain highly competitive,” Lina PG Tour coordinator Yasmin Chali said. The battle for second place among the professionals is still open, with Abdallah Yusuph on 56 points, Frank Mwinuka on 50, and Elisante Lembris on 48. “For now, the event has been postponed until further notice, and all golfers have been informed.

A new date will be communicated as we approach the festive season,” Chali added.Reflecting on the 2024 tour, Chali expressed pride in its success.

The inaugural season featured four well-organized rounds–two in Morogoro, one at TPC Moshi, and another at Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam. While the final round determines the overall amateur champions, the professional category was already settled with Nkya’s early triumph.

Beyond competition, the Lina PG Tour carries deep emotional significance as a tribute to the late Lina Nkya, fondly remembered as Tanzania’s “Mother Golfer.” Lina was a pioneering figure whose dedication elevated women’s golf both nationally and internationally.

She passed away on January 19, 2021, but her legacy continues to inspire golfers across Tanzania. During her lifetime, Lina transformed the Kobe Golf Tournament into a nationally recognized event over 11 years and introduced initiatives that allowed caddies to compete as players in mainstream tournaments, expanding opportunities within the sport.

Organized by the Said Nkya family in partnership with the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), Tanzania Professional Golfers Association (TPGA), and Penda Golf Tanzania, the Lina PG Tour features 72 holes of stroke play and is open exclusively to Tanzanian professionals and amateurs. The tournament provides a vital platform for talent development, career growth, and the promotion of golf excellence.

More than just a championship, the Lina PG Tour embodies Lina Nkya’s enduring spirit, promoting inclusivity, progress, and excellence in Tanzanian golf. .

Arusha. Construction has commenced on a national training centre for gemstone value addition at the Tanzania Gemological Centre (TGC) in Arusha, marking a significant step in the Government’s efforts to ensure gemstones are processed locally rather than exported in raw form.

The minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde inspected the area over the weekend where he directed the contractor to increase manpower and introduce extended working shifts to ensure the project is completed within the agreed timeframe and to the required standards. Mr Mavunde said the government was deliberately investing across the entire gemstone value chain, in line with the 2009 Mineral Policy, so that cutting, polishing and grading are increasingly undertaken in Tanzania.

He noted that the project implements directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan when she addressed the 13th Parliament in Dodoma. Once completed, the centre is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including a significant increase in student enrolment at TGC, expansion of the pool of specialists in gemstone value addition and the creation of new employment opportunities for young people and traders in the gemstone industry.

By reducing the export of unprocessed stones and retaining more value locally, the project is also expected to boost national revenue from the mineral sector. Arusha District Commissioner Joseph Mkude said the regional administration would closely monitor construction progress to ensure the project is delivered as intended.

He described the centre as one of the largest public investments in the region’s mining industry, noting that it would further strengthen Arusha’s position as a hub for gemstone trade, training and related services. Providing an update, TGC Director, Mr Ally Maganga said the project involves the construction of two eight-storey twin blocks at an estimated cost of Sh33 billion.

He added that the expanded facilities would enable more young Tanzanians to acquire practical skills in gemstone cutting, polishing and grading, enhancing their competitiveness in regional and international markets. Project Manager, Mr Robert Lubuva, said the contractors would mobilise additional personnel and equipment in line with the Minister’s instructions to ensure the buildings are completed on schedule and begin serving Tanzanians as planned.

The project forms part of a broader government agenda to position the mining sector not only as a source of exports and tax revenue, but also as a driver of skills development, job creation and industrial growth through value addition. .

Dar es Salaam. The minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, has launched a new program by the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita) that enables the issuance of birth certificates within 48 working hours through modern technology.

This initiative is aimed at expediting the delivery of this essential service. The programme was launched in Dar es Salaam, where Dr Homera urged Rita to implement the initiative with a high level of professionalism, emphasising that the agency possesses the necessary experience to meet its objectives.

Dr Homera stated that the initiative aligns with directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who mandated that birth certificates be provided within 48 working hours. “The system we have launched today is part of the President’s directives to ensure that birth certificates are issued promptly, allowing citizens to access other important services that depend on this document,” he said.

Dr Homera explained that obtaining a birth certificate will be an uncomplicated process, provided applicants submit all necessary supporting documents, which include a letter from the relevant local government authority, hospital records, and confirmation from religious institutions such as mosques and churches. He also commended Rita for its performance, noting that as of November 25 this year, the agency had issued 11.5 million birth certificates.

According to Rita’s statistics, a total of 20 million Tanzanians had been registered by November 2025, compared to just 205,000 people in 2004. In a separate development, the Minister urged Rita to continue effectively supervising all institutions under its mandate and to enhance public education on estate planning and inheritance management to help prevent unnecessary disputes. Rita’s Chief Executive Officer, Frank Kanyusi, stated that the demand for birth certificates remains high and that this new initiative will help reduce congestion as citizens seek services from public institutions.

“Rita is the first agency to provide official identification to Tanzanian citizens immediately after birth. This certificate is crucial not only for identifying a child as a Tanzanian but also for accessing essential services, including passports and other requirements,” he said.

Mr Kanyusi added that as of November 25 this year, the agency had registered more than one million marriage certificates and over 12,000 death certificates, alongside various administrative and digital improvements. One beneficiary of the initiative, Ms Fatuma Saidi, remarked that she received her child’s birth certificate within 48 working hours, which exceeded her expectations.

“I expected to receive the certificate within two or three weeks, but I was surprised to be informed within 48 hours that it was ready,” she said. .

Dodoma. The use of technology in the administration of justice has been cited as a key factor in reducing bureaucracy and corruption within justice delivery institutions.

The Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Ms Angellah Kairuki, delivered the remarks on Monday, December 15, 2025, during a handover ceremony of ICT equipment to the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs and its institutions. The equipment is earmarked for the Ministry’s headquarters, the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ms Kairuki said that before the adoption of ICT systems within justice institutions, there was severe congestion of people seeking legal redress. She said the situation has since improved significantly, particularly with the increased acceptance of electronic evidence.

“Nowadays, many services within justice delivery institutions are provided using ICT. We are grateful that the feedback we receive indicates that bureaucracy and corruption have declined, as many processes have become transparent, especially given that electronic evidence is widely accepted,” said Ms Kairuki.

Speaking about the equipment handed over, she urged recipients to use it properly and for its intended purpose, warning against misuse. Ms Kairuki handed over 70 laptop computers and two large photocopying machines, in addition to 40 laptops that had been provided earlier.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Mr Eliakim Maswi, said the equipment would enhance accountability and efficiency within the Ministry and its institutions. Mr Maswi said the Ministry is currently transitioning from a paper-based system to a digital one, reflecting modern global practices.

He urged all recipients of the equipment to strengthen operational standards that would enhance accountability in the delivery of justice. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Sylvester Mwakitalu, said the equipment would bring about significant changes, noting that the 40 laptops received earlier had already made a substantial impact.

He said conducting court proceedings online is possible with reliable ICT equipment and proper record management. .