Category: The Citizen

Mbeya. Youth in Kyela District have outlined a series of grievances they say fuelled last month’s nationwide unrest, pointing to demands for a new constitution, concerns over abductions and frustration over unemployment.

They have also called on President Samia Suluhu Hassan to publicly state her position on the issues. During a meeting on November 27 with the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Youth Development), young people in Kyela criticised what they described as unfair blame placed on bodaboda riders for the October 29 protests, arguing that the root causes were well known to authorities.

A resident of Kyela town, Simon Charles, said the youth’s foremost demand is constitutional reform. He also faulted the decision to distribute motorcycles to CCM ward secretaries rather than unemployed youth.

He accused government officials of travelling abroad and returning with “bonanza entertainers” instead of attracting tyre manufacturers to lower bodaboda operating costs. “Under such conditions, it is inevitable that young people protest,” he said.

Charles added that in Kyela, bodaboda riders had been forced to stop working at midnight, affecting their earnings while exposing them to harassment. He insisted that senior leaders, including President Hassan, must address the nation to prevent a repeat of the October 29 unrest and strongly condemn abductions and killings.

“If leaders with security can be abducted, what about us who walk on foot?” he asked. Eliza Mwakyoma of Kasumulu said fear remained widespread, claiming youth were still being taken from their homes and that tear gas was frequently fired in the area.

She said the situation had become so alarming that some felt like fleeing to the neighbouring Malawi. Mary Kanosya, a fruit vendor known as Mama Jiko, accused market leaders of relocating them to a dark, isolated area with no customer traffic, where they face harassment and neglect.

“We were moved to a place without lights. We are mistreated and have no one to turn to,” she said.

Another resident, Ruben Kibosa, said youth wanted genuine electoral freedom and an end to abductions by so-called “unknown people”, arguing that such actions erode trust between citizens and government. Makwaya Majidi said many challenges faced by youth–especially bodaboda riders–stem from the government’s failure to effectively respond to their concerns.

He proposed the creation of a formal platform for youth to present grievances. A bodaboda rider from Ipinda Ward, David Richard, said accessing the 10 percent council loans was difficult, citing strict requirements such as political-party membership cards, National Identification Authority (Nida) numbers and tough repayment terms.

Government responds Kyela District Commissioner Josephine Manase said the midnight business restriction had been imposed due to security concerns but announced an immediate return to 24-hour operations, drawing applause from youth. Addressing the gathering, the minister directed the council to install streetlights in the area where women fruit vendors had been relocated.

On constitutional reform, he said the matter was progressing as promised by President Hassan. He acknowledged persistent concerns over access to council loans, noting that the same groups often benefit repeatedly despite sizeable allocations.

He called for targeted training and awareness programmes to widen access. “We will establish a proper system for collecting your views, especially on the constitution.

The process will be well-coordinated to ensure deserving ideas are included,” he said. The minister added that the government is pursuing district-based industrial zones, including facilities that would support bodaboda riders through domestic production of spare parts in the coming term.

Nanauka said President Hassan was committed to formalising work in various sectors, including bodaboda operations and small-scale businesses, and ensuring a conducive environment for young people to earn a living. “We do not want clashes between the government and young people.

Let us live in harmony. Whatever needs to be fixed must be addressed quickly,” he said.

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Dodoma. Police in Dodoma are investigating the death of a second-year University of Dodoma (UDOM) student, Said Kabuga, whose life came to an abrupt and tragic end after he fell into a well on campus.

Early accounts suggest the 20-year-old had been distressed after reportedly losing his tuition fees in a gambling incident. Kabuga, who was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations, was remembered by friends as a soft-spoken young man who kept mostly to himself.

Those who knew him described him as calm, polite, and free of any notable difficulties during his first year at the university. Friends say his anxiety grew sharply after he lost the money meant for his studies.

One student, who asked not to be named, recalled how the day unfolded. “He kept saying he didn’t know how he would face his parents.

He was overwhelmed and did not even eat dinner,” the student said. Later that night, witnesses noticed Kabuga leaving his dormitory.

He is said to have walked quietly to a nearby well, set his belongings down, and then jumped in. His phone and music devices were later found placed neatly beside the well, a detail that left many of his peers deeply unsettled.

Among those who spent time with him, Kabuga was known as shy and reserved, often keeping a small circle of companions and participating little in class discussions. Ally Waziri, one of his friends, said Kabuga had appeared cheerful earlier that day.

“But as evening approached, he became withdrawn, lost in his thoughts,” Waziri said. Another friend, Ally Amani, recounted being one of the last people to see him.

He said he spotted Kabuga near the well, shining a torch from his phone and carrying a bag that did not appear to contain water. Moments later, Amani heard a scream.

By the time he reached the spot, Kabuga had already fallen in. “I alerted the security guards immediately,” he said.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander Gallus Hyera confirmed the incident, noting that initial findings indicate Kabuga may have jumped intentionally. “Our preliminary assessment shows he prepared himself before entering the well, but investigations are ongoing,” he said.

UDOM’s Director of Communications, Rose Mdame, conveyed the institution’s condolences. “We are deeply saddened and extend our sympathy to his family and fellow students,” she said.

We urge students to remain calm and allow the police to complete their inquiries,” she said. Kabuga’s passing has stirred conversations on campus about the heavy weight of financial strain, academic pressure, and the silent dangers of gambling–burdens that can push even the quietest of students into despair.

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Dar es Salaam. Health experts are calling for quicker referral pathways for patients with infertility challenges, and emphasizing the need to increase the number of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) specialists to pursue advanced training, as well as offering holistic support including psychological counselling and consistent communication to help couples cope with deep desperation and the burden of stigma due to infertility.

Speaking at a seminar to train gynecologists on the advanced technologies available for IVF treatment, the President of the Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Tanzania (AGOTA), Dr Sunday Dominico, said many couples lose valuable treatment time because they are kept for too long at lower-level facilities that lack the capacity to manage complex reproductive issues, citing that early referral to specialized centres is essential in preventing conditions from worsening and reducing the emotional and financial strain on families. The seminar, organized by NuLife Advanced Fertility Centre and AGOTA, gave an opportunity for gynecologists to interact and share knowledge to strengthen the country’s infertility care, noting that advanced reproductive technologies such as IVF are now available locally with high success rates.

“It is important to help couples cope with deep desperation and the burden of stigma. Many families seeking fertility treatment, they note, have endured intense social pressure, making compassionate, informed care a critical part of Tanzania’s reproductive health response,” said Dr Dominico.

Speaking at the seminar, the world-renowned IVF specialist Dr Nayana Patel said NuLife services in Tanzania are transforming the country’s reproductive health landscape, offering both basic and advanced IVF technologies that previously forced couples to seek treatment abroad, as these services have positioned Tanzania to become a medical tourism hub provided that awareness, training and adoption of advanced reproductive techniques continue to grow. The world-renowned IVF specialist Dr Nayana Patel She emphasized the need for early education on reproductive health, beginning from schools and universities.

Many young women are unaware that egg quality declines as they approach the age of 40. “As you produce children, you can also face challenges that prevent you from conceiving again. When will that happen? These are the conversations young people should be having early.

Educating both male and female students, as well as those with family histories of fertility complications, is seen as a key step toward reducing infertility rates. She said smoking and infection rates–particularly sexually transmitted and terminal infections–remain major contributors to infertility among men and women.

High rates of tubal blockages following miscarriages or deliveries further increase cases of secondary infertility, which occur in Africa more frequently than in many other regions. Fibroids remain a major concern, especially among African women.

Specialists recommend early detection and laparoscopic surgery, which provides better reproductive outcomes compared to open procedures. She encouraged women to consider having children earlier, as fibroid risk increases with age.

“Tanzania is progressing well and moving in the right direction. Although some African countries may have advanced regulatory guidelines at a faster pace, Tanzania has the potential to surpass its neighbors by strengthening training for gynecologists and expanding awareness of available innovations,” said Dr Patel.

The IVF Specialist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Medical Director at NuLife, Dr Madhav Hirani, said the centre has reported a steady rise in couples seeking fertility care, with hundreds of patients attended annually. The clinic has achieved more than 500 pregnancies in the past five years, a milestone attributed to improved service uptake and expanding expertise.

“The numbers have been growing consistently each year as more families gain awareness and seek timely medical intervention,” the doctor said. The centre also reports an average success rate of 65 per cent, placing it among the leading fertility providers in the country.

The doctor noted that the trend reflects both early referrals and growing confidence in local IVF and fertility services. “Our outcomes show that success is possible when patients come early and receive the right treatment,” he added, emphasizing that timely intervention significantly improves the chances of conception.

NuLife Services Tanzania has also invested in advanced reproductive technologies that are widening treatment options and boosting success rates. He highlighted several innovations, including Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a fertilisation method that directly improves the probability of eggsperm fusion.

The centre further uses rejuvenation techniques such as platelet-rich plasma and exosomes, as well as pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to enhance outcomes. “PGT drastically improves success, reduces miscarriage risks and helps prevent major genetic diseases at the embryonic stage,” he said.

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As President Samia Suluhu Hassan unfolded her new Cabinet, attention was, as is usually the case, focused on who has been appointed to what Ministry, who has been taken on board and who has been left by the side. Nevertheless, it did not escape the attention of lovers of local government, urban development and management, housing, real estate and good governance, that the folder for local government has been moved from the President’s Office (PO), to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Tanzania has always aimed at having efficient semi-autonomous local governments answering to the needs of the people. Pundits of local governments point to their crucial role in understanding and implementing local priorities, with the general population exercising oversight.

A major problem has been the feeling that local governments were not performing as expected, a feeling that has in part encouraged the central government to continue exercising authority directly, of indirectly though executive agencies, in areas that are under the jurisdiction of local governments. A question that has enigmatized various Presidents is where, in the Cabinet, should local government be placed.

At one time in the past, local government had a separate Ministry. This however, did not appear appropriate, given that local governments were units of governance, which, in totality could not be equated to a sector ministry.

So, again, in the past, local government administration was moved to the Prime Minister’s Office. After all, the Prime Minister was the overall implementor and supervisor of government business.

There was thus formed the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG, or, in Kiswahili, OWM-TAMISEMI). With time, this arrangement was seen as wanting since the totality of local government areas made up the whole country, which needed to be close to the Country’s Chief Executive Officer, that is, the President.

Regional Administration and Local Government was thus moved to the President’s Office and we had the PO-RALG (or OR-TAMISEMI). Because education and health establishments were moved to local governments, you could find OR-TAMISEMI literally in any corner of the country.

Servants in under local governments generally exuded the importance of belonging to the President’s Office (PO), or, Ofisi ya Rais (OR). The President has now reversed this and local government is once more under the Prime Minister’s Office.

If this is read in the spirit of the President’s aim of seeking efficient and performing local governments, the move is aimed to removing local government from hibernating snugly under the wings of the President (who, technically, was the substantive minister for local government), to a position where they are exposed to supervision and direction from Her office. Thus, both the Prime Minister, and the Minister for TAMISEMI, will now be required to be up and running to ensure that local governments perform, to the satisfaction of the people.

The appointed TAMISEMI Minister, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, is not a stranger to the Ministry. He spent a stint of his career at Ardhi University where local government is a key subject in all the curricula taught at the University.

You will find Ardhi University students in all local governments in the country. The Professor’s research interest in forestry, natural resources and climate change comes in handy to addressing issues daunting local governments.

There are many challenges though. One, all our urban areas, be they large or small, are growing chaotically.

It is my understanding that TAMISEMI has been developing an urban development and management policy. A problem to be sorted out urgently is who, between the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development (MLHHSD), and TAMISEMI, has the duty to oversee the orderly development of urban areas.

TAMISEMI must take charge, since all Directors answer to this Ministry, and urban development is not just about land. All headaches of how to make urban areas function should be on the shoulders of the Executive Officers of these local government areas.

These include land use planning, local economic development, employment, environment, housing, the informal sector, waste management, infrastructure and services supply and management, transport (yes, including the BRT and daladalas in Dar es Salaam). To manage such areas, you need a cadre of well-trained managers with experience in corporate management, appointed on merit and competitively, and tasked with clear mandates and duties; subjected to regular monitoring and evaluation.

Urban areas must be run on the principles of successfully managing a huge corporate organisation. Large urban areas, such as Dar es Salaam, need to have an organisation set up tailored to making the city work.

You most likely need a Metropolitan Authority. The relation between executive agencies such as TARURA, UWSAs, RUWASAs, and LATRAs operating independently within the local government areas, need to be streamlined.

Human resources is one problem, but how about financial and other resources? There needs to be a clear-cut formula of revenue sharing between the central and local governments. This would be in line with the esteemed policy of decentralisation by devolution (D-by-D) espoused under the Local Government Reform Programme.

It is time that local authorities, particularly urban areas, took charge of their development; to have short and long-term strategies that that will see them improving the quality of life of their residents, and becoming competitive in a rapidly-evolving world. .

Arusha. The Arusha Sub-Registry of the High Court of Tanzania has dismissed an application filed by three cadres of the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) who were seeking leave to challenge the party’s General Meeting held earlier this year, during which new leaders were elected.

The court reached the decision after upholding a preliminary objection raised by counsel for the respondents, who argued that the application was defective for failing to meet legal requirements. The application had been filed by TLP members Issa Magere, Geofrey Steven and Kinanzaro Mwanga.

The respondents were the party’s Board of Trustees, the TLP national chairman, Richard Lyimo, the secretary-general, Yustas Rwamugira, and the Registrar of Political Parties. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, by Judge Dafina Ndumbaro, who was presiding over the matter (Application No.

26901/2025), which had come up for mention. The applicants were represented by advocate Roland Kimbi, while the respondents were represented by advocate Baraka Sulus.

After the matter was called, advocate Sulus informed the court that the application was defective for failing to comply with legal requirements, particularly the omission to include the Attorney-General (AG) as a necessary party. He argued that under section 6(3) of the Government Proceedings Act, the AG must be joined in any matter involving a government office–adding that in this case, the AG ought to have represented the Registrar of Political Parties.

He asked the court to strike out the application to allow the applicants to refile it once the legal requirement had been met. The objection was not opposed by counsel for the applicants.

“The matter has come up for mention today, but in the interest of saving the court’s time, it is clear that this application is defective for failing to meet statutory requirements. Whenever a government office is sued, the AG must be joined,” he told the court.

“As we all know, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is a public office, and therefore the AG’s inclusion was mandatory.” Judge Ndumbaro upheld the preliminary objection and struck out the application without costs.

In their application, the TLP cadres had sought leave to file for judicial review, arguing on two main grounds: that the party’s General Meeting had not been conducted in accordance with its constitution–rendering its elections invalid; and that the elected leaders, including the national chairman, were chosen without a quorum, with some participants allegedly not being legitimate delegates. Speaking to journalists outside the court, advocate Kimbi said the next step would be to refile the application after fulfilling the legal requirement to join the Attorney-General.

Lyimo, who was previously the TLP secretary-general, was elected national chairman on February 5, 2025, succeeding Hamad Mkadamu, who had been acting in the position following the death of long-time chairman Augustine Mrema on August 21, 2022. The General Meeting took place in Dar es Salaam and was attended by the Deputy Registrar of Political Parties, Sisty Nyahoza. During the meeting, 21 party members were expelled, including leaders accused of attempting to organise parallel meetings to elect leaders to fill the vacancy left by the late chairman Mrema–actions said to be contrary to the party’s constitution.

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Dar es Salaam. Local clinics, dispensaries, and community health posts remain the first point of care for many young Tanzanians seeking quickly and nearby health services.

For university students living away from home and young people in close-knit communities, these small facilities have long promised convenience and a sense of privacy.

Zanzibar. Visitors arriving on the isles today often remark on a new kind of atmosphere, one shaped not only by warm breezes and ocean views, but by a growing culture of eco-conscious living.

Over the past decade, Zanzibar has undergone a quiet architectural and social shift, and nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Fumba Town.

Yet a decade ago, this stretch of the southwestern coast was largely untouched, its future uncertain. The idea of building a modern, sustainable township here, privately developed and driven by green principles, felt ambitious, even improbable. Tanzania had not seen anything quite like it, and scepticism was widespread.

Today, that idea has transformed into a thriving community of more than 1,500 residents, over 800 completed homes, and a growing ecosystem of businesses, schools, and public spaces marking a full decade of progress, innovation, and community life.

Launched in 2015 by CPS Africa, Fumba Town set out to redefine urban living in East Africa by demonstrating that sustainability, affordability, and modern design can coexist.

The project has since emerged as a flagship example of how private investment and public policy can combine to shape greener, more inclusive African cities.

From skepticism to success

Reflecting on the past decade, CPS Africa CEO Sebastian Dietzold says the greatest early challenge was not technical – but psychological.

‘The biggest challenge was belief,’ Dietzold explains. ‘There was no model for a private, sustainable township in Zanzibar – or even in the wider region. People loved the idea, but few thought it could work. We had to build trust first – with buyers, regulators, and the local community – before we could build anything physical.’

The breakthrough came when the first families moved in. Shops opened, children enrolled in school, and the town came alive.

‘Once people could see it and feel it, everything changed,’ he recalls. ‘Fumba taught us that if you hold the line on purpose and quality, the market – and the mindset – will follow.’

A Sustainable vision brought to life

What distinguishes Fumba Town is its deep commitment to environmental responsibility – not as branding, but as a guiding philosophy.

‘We never treated sustainability as a marketing phrase – it was our starting point,’ Dietzold says.

Three innovations have been particularly transformative: Engineered timber construction, which reduces carbon emissions, lowers dependence on scarce building sand, and speeds up construction.

The renewable energy and independent water systems, including solar roofs, rainwater harvesting, and decentralized wastewater treatment.

And, a circular economy approach, with community education, local sourcing, recycling, and reuse built into the town’s operations.

These practices have made Fumba Town one of the most self-reliant developments in the region. And now, CPS is scaling up. The new SuperTimber2000 factory in Zanzibar will produce engineered timber components locally, supporting both sustainability and job creation. District-level solar grids and digital monitoring systems for water, waste, and energy are also being rolled out.

Dietzold sums it up:’The next phase will move from ‘sustainable buildings’ to a truly smart, circular city model.

A vibrant community takes root

Beyond its green architecture, Fumba Town has blossomed into a lively community. Green courtyards, cafés, boutiques, playgrounds, weekend markets, and the Fumba Academy have made the town not just livable, but socially dynamic.

‘For us, it’s not just about the houses – it’s the people,’ says one of the residents. ‘We’ve built friendships, shared gardens, and a lifestyle that feels both global and local.’

The completion of icons like The Soul Paje and Fumba Townhouses, Apartments and Villas has attracted a diversepool of local and international homeowners, strengthening the town’s identity as a cosmopolitan enclave.

Driving skills, jobs and local growth

Fumba Town has created hundreds of jobs and helped train a new generation of Zanzibari professionals – from engineers and carpenters to solar technicians and entrepreneurs.

Through partnerships with training institutions and local suppliers, CPS has contributed to the island’s shift toward a greener, knowledge-driven economy.

This alignment is no accident. Dietzold says the next decade will build even more clearly on Zanzibar’s Vision 2050.

‘We’re introducing new lifestyle and innovation clusters – a business district, smart homes for local professionals, and a tech and education campus. Fumba is already living the Vision 2050 ideal of green, inclusive, knowledge-based development.’

A blueprint for African cities

As Fumba Town gains international recognition, Dietzold believes its broader value is as a replicable model for African urban growth.

‘Fumba is already being looked at as a proof of concept,’ he notes. ‘But what’s transferable is not just the architecture – it’s the framework: strong public-private collaboration, community-first planning, and sustainability that makes business sense.’

His message to other African cities is clear:

‘Africa doesn’t need to copy global models – it can define its own. Fumba shows that we can build cities that work for people and the planet, right here at home.’

Fumba 2035: Scaling the vision

As Fumba Town moves into its second decade, CPS is gearing up for its most ambitious expansion yet – a phase that will deepen the township’s role as a model of sustainable, future-focused urban living.

The upcoming development plans include a fully-fledged hospitality and business district, a dedicated technology and education hub, an expanded portfolio of affordable smart homes, and district-wide renewable energy systems designed to enhance efficiency and self-reliance.

The next phase will also introduce upgraded health, recreation, and mobility infrastructure to support a growing and increasingly diverse population.

‘The next 10 years will be about scaling the model,’ says CEO Sebastian Dietzold. ‘Sustainable development is not a luxury – it’s the foundation of a resilient future.’

A Decade that reshaped Zanzibar’s urban story

From a blank shoreline to a pioneering eco-town, Fumba’s journey reflects the spirit of a modern Zanzibar – innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking. As CPS Africa, residents, and partners celebrate the 10-year milestone, one truth stands out:

Fumba Town has not only transformed the landscape – it has transformed what people believe is possible.

Hong Kong. A fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of a residential housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday, with plumes of thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze.

Several people are trapped inside, public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing police, while two people have suffered severe burns, it said. Some fire services staff have also been injured, while trying to put out the massive flames.

The fire department said it received reports at 2:51 p.m. (0651 GMT) that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm, the second highest, at 3:34 p.m.

Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, providing close to 2,000 residential units. Several towers around the blazing tower have bamboo scaffolding on their exterior.

Hong Kong’s Transport Department said that due to the fire an entire section of the Tai Po highway has been closed and buses are being diverted.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s commercial sector is experiencing a renewed surge of activity as importers draw increased value from the Africa-China trade corridor.

What began as a supply-and-demand relationship, has now matured into a crucial channel for industrial parts, motor vehicles, electronics, spare parts for cars and motorcycles, and iron, steel and metal products and an array of technological inputs that fuel local productivity.

Dar es Salaam / London. Tanzania has signed a new agreement with Qatar that is expected to open more job opportunities for Tanzanian seafarers and strengthen cooperation in the maritime transport sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates was signed on Monday in London, on the sidelines of the 34th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly.