Category: The Citizen

. Acram Ashirafu, who appealed against a 30-year prison sentence for sodomising a 10-year-old child, has ended up with a harsher punishment after the High Court’s Bukoba Sub-Registry dismissed his appeal and increased the sentence to life imprisonment.

Mr Ashirafu, who was 19 and a secondary school student when the offence was committed, had challenged a Bukoba District Court judgment that convicted him of sodomising the child and sentenced him to 30 years in prison.

The High Court, however, ruled that the sentence imposed by the lower court was unlawful because the law prescribes life imprisonment for the offence where the victim is under 18. The ruling was delivered on August 7, 2026, by Judge Lilian Itemba in Criminal Appeal No. 8155 of 2026, filed by Mr Ashirafu against the Republic.

Judge Itemba said the appellant was not eligible for a 30-year sentence because the victim was 10 years old.

Under Section 154(2) of the Penal Code, a person convicted of the offence involving a child under 18 must be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Grounds of appeal

According to the prosecution case, between January and September 2025, in Kashai, Bukoba Municipality, Mr Ashirafu, took the child to his home on different occasions and sodomised him while threatening him not to disclose what had happened.

After being sentenced to 30 years, Mr Ashirafu filed an appeal on nine grounds, arguing, among other things, that the evidence used to convict him was unreliable and that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

He also challenged the child’s evidence, medical evidence and ythe manner in which the District Court assessed his defence.

He further argued that the charge sheet was defective because it did not specify the exact date of the offence.

Court’s decision

In her ruling, Judge Itemba said the High Court had re-evaluated the evidence presented before the District Court and found no basis to overturn the conviction.

She said the child had given detailed evidence about the incident and identified Mr Ashirafu because he already knew him before the offence.

The court also considered medical evidence from a doctor and a PF3 form, which indicated laxity of the child’s anal muscles, a condition the court said was consistent with penetration by a blunt object.

Judge Itemba said the medical evidence supported the child’s account that the act had occurred, although it could not, on its own, identify the perpetrator.

The court also found that even if Mr Ashirafu’s claim that he had been forced to confess through police threats was disregarded, there was sufficient other evidence to prove the prosecution case.

Judge Itemba noted that the District Court had not thoroughly assessed Mr Ashirafu’s defence evidence.

However, she said the tomission did not result in a miscarriage of justice because the High Court, as the first appellate court, had a duty to re-examine the evidence and make its own assessment.

In his defence, Mr Ashirafu claimed that he had been a boarding student during the period in question and that he was arrested on September 5, 2025, while at a secondary school.

Judge Itemba said the claim was not supported by evidence from the school.

‘I have weighed the defence against the prosecution evidence. The appellant’s claim that he was a boarding student from January to September 2025 was not supported by any evidence from the school, such as attendance records, the school register or testimony from any school official,’ she said.

On his claim that he had been forced to confess, the judge said it remained a mere allegation.

‘If he had indeed been threatened into confessing against his will, nothing prevented him from raising the complaint at the earliest opportunity before the court,’ she said.

The judge said that even if the confession were disregarded, the prosecution case did not depend solely on it but mainly on the child’s evidence and medical evidence.

Having upheld the conviction, the High Court then considered the legality of the 30-year sentence imposed by the District Court.

The State Attorney had earlier told the court that the sentence was unlawful because the victim was under 18 and Section 154(2) of the Penal Code prescribes life imprisonment as the mandatory sentence.

Judge Itemba agreed, saying that although the District Court had established that the victim was 10 years old, it erred by imposing a 30-year sentence.

The High Court therefore set aside the sentence and substituted it with life imprisonment.

‘Under Section 387 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), an appellate court has the power to alter an unlawful sentence. Therefore, the sentence for the offence of sodomy contrary to Section 154(1)(a) and (2) of the Penal Code was found to have no legal basis and is hereby set aside,’ Judge Itemba ruled.

‘The 30-year prison sentence imposed by the lower court, being contrary to Section 154(2) of the Penal Code, is set aside and, pursuant to that section, Acram is sentenced to life imprisonment,’ she concluded.

. With an average of 100 fishermen drowning annually in Zanzibar, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries has unveiled a targeted initiative titled ‘Save Zanzibar Fishermen’ to mitigate marine accidents and fatalities.

Beyond life-saving measures, the project encompasses a comprehensive census, capacity-building training, access to credit, and a digital registration system to track fishermen while at sea.

Briefing journalists Sunday, August 9, 2026, ahead of the official launch, Ministry Permanent Secretary Hamad Bakar Hamad announced that Zanzibar Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla will officially launch the programme tomorrow (Monday, August 10).

“We took action after reviewing alarming statistics showing that an average of 100 fishermen drown every year, with 27 percent losing their lives. Out of every 100 involved in marine accidents, 27 perish, often alongside the total loss of their gear and vessels,” stated Mr Hamad.

According to Mr Hamad, 1,101 fishermen have already completed safety training and will receive certificates of recognition during Monday’s launch.

Additionally, he said over the past nine months, the ministry conducted specialised spatial research to map key fishing grounds, peak harvesting hours, and fish stock density across the archipelago.

“This research was executed in partnership with WildFish through our Zanzibar Fisheries Research Institute (Zafiri), which specialises in marine and aquatic research,” he said.

“We selected 100 vessels and fitted them with transponders that transmit real-time signals directly to our central database,” added Mr Hamad, noting that the continuous data feed provided precise tracking over the nine-month pilot period.

He explained that the findings underscored the urgent need for continuous monitoring, as many fishermen venture into distant, high-risk waters where search-and-rescue operations are difficult to execute.

“We will share this data with relevant security and emergency response agencies. For instance, during the rough weather months of June and July, we now know exactly where clusters of vessels concentrate,” noted Mr Hamad.

The tracking system has been deployed in select areas across Unguja and Pemba, with plans underway to roll it out nationwide.

Beyond safety, the initiative aims to formalise the artisanal fishing sector, enabling financial institutions to evaluate creditworthiness and extend commercial loans to operators.

Previously, commercial banks routinely rejected loan applications from fishermen due to the informal and unverified nature of their enterprise.

“With this data, financial institutions can verify operational metrics, such as average travel time to fishing grounds and estimated catch yields, making it easier to underwrite equipment and vessel loans,” observed Mr Hamad.

Reacting to the development, a fisherman at the Malindi fish landing site in Unguja, Mr Mjaka Khamis Haji, welcomed the initiative, noting that it will modernise and elevate the standing of the local fishing industry.

“We are eager to be enrolled in the scheme because it promises significant benefits for our livelihoods,” said Mr Haji.

Zanzibar currently has an estimated 85,000 fishermen, 1,101 of whom have already

The anniversary celebration also offered a platform for the club to strengthen its connection with supporters, who remain central to Yanga’s identity and ambitions.

Yanga Day, which was introduced in 2019, has grown into one of the club’s biggest annual events, bringing together current and former players, club officials, entertainers and supporters ahead of the new season.

This year’s celebration carried added significance as Yanga marked 91 years since its establishment, with the club seeking to build on its achievements while preparing for another season of competition at home and in Africa.

Former players were among those who sent messages to the club and its supporters, reflecting on their experiences at Yanga and the importance of maintaining the bond between the team and its fans.

Former Yanga defender Abdallah Shaibu, popularly known as Ninja, described the club as a family and wished the players and supporters a memorable anniversary celebration.

‘Yanga are family. I understand the joy players feel when they are introduced to supporters, so I wish the fans and players a wonderful celebration,’ he said.

Former Simba, Yanga and Taifa Stars defender Kelvin Yondani also welcomed the occasion, saying the interaction between players and supporters before a new season was important.

‘It is a good thing for players to meet their supporters before the start of the season. I wish them all the best,’ he said.

For Yanga supporters, the anniversary celebration was not only about entertainment but also about celebrating the history and identity of a club that has developed a strong following across Tanzania and beyond.

The festive atmosphere was boosted by performances from several entertainers, with DJ Ally B among those who got the crowd on their feet.

DJ Ally B delivered a 28 minute performance featuring 19 songs, mixing Bongo Flava and Singeli as supporters sang and danced along.

The DJ also moved away from the stage to interact with fans, adding to the excitement inside the stadium.

His performance marked the third consecutive occasion on which he has featured in Yanga celebrations of this nature, while he has also entertained supporters during some of the club’s international matches.

Other artists scheduled to entertain the crowd included Chid Benz, T.I.D, Madee, Chege, Q Chilla, Mr Blue, Dogo Paten and Click Master.

The entertainment formed part of a wider programme aimed at making the 91st anniversary celebration a memorable occasion for supporters.

Beyond the festivities, however, attention is already turning to the new season and the expectations surrounding Yanga.

The club has strengthened its squad during the transfer window and is expected to compete on multiple fronts, including domestic competitions and the CAF Champions League.

The challenge for the club will be to translate its growing ambitions and investment in the squad into success on the pitch.

As Yanga begins its 92nd year of existence, the anniversary celebration offered both a moment to celebrate the past and an opportunity to look ahead.

For the thousands of supporters who filled Uhuru Stadium, the message was clear: the history matters, but the expectations for the future are even greater.

Treasury Registrar (TR) Nehemiah Mchechu said closer cooperation with Trade and Development Bank (TDB) could help expand investment, trade and access to capital for projects capable of delivering wider economic benefits to the country.

Mr Mchechu made the statement on Friday, August 7, 2026, after holding talks with Trade and Development Bank (TDB) President and Managing Director Admassu Tadesse aimed at strengthening the bank’s partnership with Tanzania and unlocking greater value from public investments.

The meeting focused on opportunities to deepen cooperation in investment financing, trade and development. Tanzania, through the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR), holds an 8.3 percent stake in TDB, making the country one of the bank’s shareholders.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mchechu said closer cooperation with TDB could help expand investment, trade and access to capital for projects capable of delivering wider economic benefits.

He said TDB’s position as a regional development finance institution placed it in a strong position to help Tanzania tap investment opportunities in key sectors across Tanzania while supporting government efforts to increase returns from public investments across the country.

The OTR currently oversees public investments valued at Sh92.3 trillion.

‘Stronger partnerships with institutions such as TDB are important in helping us unlock the full value of public investments and support projects that can contribute meaningfully to the economy,’ he said.

He added that the government was implementing reforms to improve the performance of public institutions, with greater emphasis on accountability, efficiency, effective leadership and prudent use of public resources.

The reforms, he said, were intended to ensure government-owned institutions and companies operate efficiently, fulfil their mandates and make a stronger contribution to economic development.

For his part, Mr Tadesse said TDB was ready to deepen its engagement with Tanzania by supporting projects with the potential to drive economic growth and attract investment.

He said the bank was broadening its financing options, including commercial lending, concessional finance and blended financing, to mobilise capital for projects with significant development impact.

‘Tanzania has significant investment potential and is taking important steps to strengthen its economy,’ he said.

He said TDB was seeking to channel capital towards countries and projects capable of generating economic, social and financial returns while strengthening production, trade and investment.

TDB adviser, Mr Anthony Mwithiga, said the bank had developed financing structures aimed at addressing capital gaps and supporting projects with significant economic and social value.

He said the bank could draw on its experience in combining different financing sources, including commercial capital, concessional funding and resources from development partners, to develop packages suited to individual projects.

The discussions come as Tanzania seeks to strengthen overall public investment performance and mobilise additional financing for projects that can support economic growth, trade and job creation.

. Thousands of Young Africans (Yanga) supporters have turned up at Uhuru Stadium for the club’s 2026 Yanga Day celebrations, as the Tanzanian giants mark their 91st anniversary and officially usher in the 2026/27 season with renewed ambitions of dominating domestic and continental football.

The annual event has brought together fans from across the country, with the stadium and its surroundings filled with the club’s traditional green and yellow colours as supporters turned out to celebrate their team and welcome new players ahead of the new campaign.

This year’s celebrations come after an active transfer window in which Yanga strengthened several areas of their squad as the club seeks to build on its achievements and compete for more major honours in the coming season. The club has adopted Mwakani Tena as its theme for the new season, a message that reflects its determination to maintain its position at the top of Tanzanian football and continue challenging for domestic and continental success.

The celebrations have combined football, entertainment and activities designed to bring supporters closer to the club. Leading Bongo Flava musicians are lined up to entertain the crowd, adding to the festive atmosphere at the venue.

However, the biggest attraction for many supporters has been the unveiling of new signing Peter Shalulile.

The arrival of the Namibia international has generated significant excitement among Yanga fans, who are keen to see the experienced striker in the club’s colours for the first time.

Shalulile is expected to bring additional firepower to a Yanga attack that will be required to deliver results on several fronts during the new campaign.

The striker’s arrival has also increased expectations among supporters, particularly as the club prepares for another demanding season that will include domestic competitions and continental assignments.

Yanga have continued to strengthen their squad as part of efforts to improve their competitiveness, with the club seeking to maintain the standards established in recent seasons.

Beyond the unveiling of players, the event has provided an opportunity for the club’s supporters to celebrate their identity and demonstrate their continued backing for the team.

The celebrations will culminate in an international friendly against Congolese side Les Aigles du Congo, providing coach Manqoba Mngqithi with an important opportunity to assess his squad before competitive football begins.

The match is expected to attract further attention as supporters get their first extended look at the revamped Yanga squad, including the club’s new signings.

Simba Sports Club honorary president and investor Mohammed ‘Mo’ Dewji has set aside Sh30 billion to develop modern match and training facilities for the club at Bunju in Dar es Salaam.

The proposed project is aimed at giving Simba a modern footballing complex that would strengthen the club’s operations and provide the infrastructure needed to compete for major domestic and continental honours.

Dewji said the investment was awaiting a decision by the club’s Board of Trustees before the project could begin. He said the proposed development would include a modern stadium for domestic league matches, six training pitches, a gym, recovery centres, a five star residential camp and other facilities designed to support the club’s players and technical staff.

‘I am waiting for the club’s Board of Trustees to make a decision on the matter. If they accept the proposal, the project could start as early as tomorrow,’ said Dewji.

The proposed investment forms part of his wider ambition to build Simba into a strong and sustainable club capable of challenging for honours at the highest level of African football.

Dewji said his ambition of seeing Simba win a major continental club title remained unchanged, despite the club having come close on several occasions.

‘My dream is still there, to make the club win a title in Africa. We have managed to do well several times, but now we need to go beyond what we have achieved. I call for unity within the club,’ he said.

He said the proposed facilities would provide the foundation for Simba to develop players, improve its preparation and establish an environment comparable with leading clubs on the continent.

Dewji also expressed concern over the prolonged process of transforming Simba’s leadership and operating structure, saying the changes initiated in 2017 had experienced numerous challenges.

He said the process had been characterised by ups and downs, with different explanations being given for delays in completing the transformation.

‘I am very surprised that, up to now, we have not completed the transformation of the club’s leadership and operations, which is important for its development. We have had ups and downs on this matter, but we need to get through it and start a new era,’ Dewji said.

The investor said resolving the issue was important if Simba was to move forward and achieve its long term ambitions.

He called for unity among the club’s stakeholders, arguing that divisions could undermine efforts to build a stronger institution.

Dewji also dismissed what he described as several allegations made against him, saying some of the claims circulating about his relationship with the club were untrue.

‘There are so many things that have been said against me, and they are not all true. I am loyal to the club. I love the club,’ he said.

Simba SC’s 90th anniversary celebrations ended in disappointment yesterday after Kenya Police FC struck in stoppage time to claim a 1-0 victory in an international friendly at Uhuru Stadium.

The defeat denied Simba the opportunity to crown a colourful Simba Day celebration with a victory in front of thousands of their supporters, who had turned up to mark nine decades of the club’s existence.

Former Singida Black Stars striker Elvis Rupia scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute plus one, silencing the home crowd after Simba had dominated large spells of the match but failed to make their chances count. Simba started brightly and controlled much of the game, particularly in the first half, when they created several opportunities. However, poor finishing denied them a breakthrough as Kenya Police remained disciplined and relied on a compact defensive approach.

The Kenyan side, which won the Kenyan Premier League title in the 2024/25 season, gradually grew into the match and became more adventurous after the break.

They created several openings of their own and were eventually rewarded when Rupia converted late in the game.

The result was particularly frustrating for Simba because their performance had promised a different outcome.

The hosts played attractive football and kept the visitors under pressure for long periods, but their inability to turn possession and chances into goals proved costly.

The match was the climax of Simba Day, an annual celebration introduced in 2009 under former club chairman Hassan Dalali and then secretary general Mwina Kaduguda. This year’s edition marked the 17th anniversary of the event and coincided with Simba’s 90th anniversary.

Simba head coach Steve Barker used the occasion to continue assessing his squad ahead of the new season, starting only one new signing, midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar.

The rest of the starting line-up comprised players who featured for the club during the 2025/26 campaign.

Barker’s approach suggests he is gradually integrating the club’s new recruits as he prepares the team for more competitive assignments. His immediate challenge will be the Community Shield clash against traditional rivals Young Africans on Wednesday.

The defeat means Simba have now lost five of their 18 Simba Day matches since the event was introduced. They have won 11 and drawn two.

Their attention now shifts to the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, where they will face Yanga on August 12 in the Community Shield.

The match will provide Simba with an immediate opportunity to respond after their disappointing anniversary night. Yanga enter the contest as the 2025/26 Mainland Premier League champions, while Simba will be looking to build on their CRDB Federation Cup triumph.

Zanzibar Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla has said the Nane Nane agricultural exhibition should leverage innovation to transition from conventional farming to commercial agriculture.

He made the remarks on Saturday, August 8, 2026, while closing the 10th Nane Nane exhibition being held in Dole, Kizimbani, Unguja, Zanzibar.

He said the exhibition offers an opportunity for farmers and livestock keepers to exchange experience, boost trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation among the government, private sector, development partners, and the general public.

“For citizens to continue participating in large numbers in the exhibition, greater innovation is required alongside educating farmers so they can move away from subsistence farming to sustainable commercial agriculture,” said Mr Abdulla.

According to the Second Vice President, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock has achieved major milestones, including the completion of the Kilimo App system, increased farmer registration, completion of a new livestock disease research laboratory in Kizimbani, and completion of the Chamanangwe bee products marketing centre in Pemba.

He said the government will continue investing in irrigation farming, improved seeds, livestock, farm inputs, agricultural research, and technological applications to boost production and address climate change impacts.

However, he said achieving sustainable development in the agricultural sector requires empowering youth and women through capacity building, such as providing skills, capital, modern technology, and access to markets, measures that will bring prosperity to farmers and livestock keepers while accelerating growth in the sector.

For his part, Zanzibar Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock, Mr Suleiman Masoud Makame, said the government’s aim in investing in agriculture is to ensure Zanzibar becomes self-sufficient in food production and reduces reliance on imports.

To achieve these goals, Mr Makame said the Ministry, in collaboration with stakeholders and partners, plans to deliver education, skills, and modern tools to farmers and livestock keepers to broaden scope across the agriculture and livestock sectors.

Tanzania Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ms Ng’wasi Kamani, noted that bringing together the agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources sectors under one umbrella simplifies learning and access to products for the public.

Ms Kamani said youth and women have shown strong enthusiasm for participating in agriculture and livestock activities, emphasising the need to prioritise their empowerment so they can achieve their goals.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock, Mr Saleh Mohamed Juma, disclosed that for the 2026 exhibition, the Ministry succeeded in upgrading infrastructure and enhancing the showgrounds, with Sh750 million spent on improvements.

He said the exhibition continues to grow stronger each year with an increasing number of exhibitors, noting that 498 participants are taking part this year.

Mr Juma encouraged citizens to visit exhibition pavilions to acquire agricultural and livestock education that will enable them to adopt modern farming practices and move away from rain-fed agriculture.

One male foreign national has died, and two others were injured after a passenger bus and a minivan collided and caught fire at King’ori in Arumeru District, Arusha Region.

The accident occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at around 10:30 am along the Arusha-Moshi highway, when a bus travelling from Arusha towards Tanga collided with a minivan from Kilimanjaro bound for Arusha.

A statement issued by Arusha Regional Police Commander SACP Justine Masejo says the passenger bus collided with a minivan. He noted that after colliding, the vehicles burst into flames, causing the death of one passenger, a foreign national who was in the minivan, while two other occupants in the vehicle sustained injuries.

‘After colliding, the vehicles caught fire, leading to the death of one foreign passenger and injuring two others who were in the minivan,’ reads part of the statement.

‘The minivan was coming from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) heading towards Arusha carrying foreign nationals. In the minivan, we rescued two injured persons, the driver and a nine-year-old boy who is a foreign national, while another foreign national died, and further procedural steps are ongoing,’ according to the statement.

He stated that the Police Force is continuing with investigations in collaboration with other security organs to establish the cause of the accident.

Mr Masejo urged drivers to strictly adhere to traffic laws and road safety regulations, affirming that the Police Force will continue taking stern action against anyone found violating the laws.

Arusha Regional Fire and Rescue Force Commander Osward Mwanjejele said they received news of the crash and rushed to the scene to conduct rescue and firefighting operations.

He noted that upon arriving at the scene, they managed to rescue all passengers who were aboard the bus as well as the two injured occupants from the minivan.

Furthermore, he stated that the rescue teams successfully extinguished the fire, which had destroyed both vehicles involved in the collision.

Agroforestry is increasingly being promoted as a pathway to creating jobs, strengthening food security and building climate-resilient businesses, with stakeholders calling for greater investment in young people to accelerate the sector’s growth.

Vi Agroforestry says empowering youth with skills, knowledge and market opportunities can help transform agriculture into a profitable business while supporting environmental conservation and improving rural livelihoods.

Speaking during an agricultural stakeholders’ forum held on the sidelines of the ongoing Nane Nane exhibition at the John Malecela grounds in Dodoma on Friday, August 7, 2026, Vi Agroforestry country director, Ms Martha Olotu, said the organisation will host a major youth-focused agroforestry conference in Mara Region this October, bringing together more than 8,000 participants to showcase opportunities in sustainable agriculture, agribusiness and climate-smart farming. The conference, expected to be officiated by the Youth Minister, Mr Joel Nanauka, will provide a platform for young farmers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners to exchange ideas and explore investment opportunities across the agroforestry value chain.

“We want young people to see agroforestry not simply as farming, but as a business that offers enormous economic opportunities. Through this conference, they will interact with experts, policymakers and fellow entrepreneurs and gain practical knowledge on how to build sustainable enterprises,” said Ms Olotu.

She said attendance is expected to increase from 6,000 participants recorded last year to more than 8,000 this year, with over 3,000 people having already registered.

Ms Olotu said Mara was selected to host the event because it is where Vi Agroforestry began its operations 30 years ago before expanding to Dodoma, Manyara, Lindi, Mtwara and Kagera.

She said the organisation is implementing a three-year strategic plan ending in 2027 and is preparing another strategy that will guide its work from 2028 onwards.

According to her, Vi Agroforestry works with smallholder farmer organisations and civil society groups to strengthen farmers’ capacity, promote sustainable farming practices and ensure farmers’ priorities are reflected in policy decisions.

She said the organisation’s programmes place strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and improving agricultural productivity to create sustainable incomes for farming communities.

During the stakeholders’ forum, participants reviewed government budget allocations to the agriculture and tourism sectors and submitted recommendations on areas requiring improvement to better support farmers and agribusiness development.

“We identified budget gaps and shared recommendations with the government on how these can be addressed. We also discussed opportunities available within the budget and agreed to establish a network of organisations working in agroforestry to strengthen collaboration,” she said.

An officer, Ms Edna Paul, said agroforestry plays an important role in addressing climate change, improving soil fertility and increasing food production, making it a valuable tool in tackling malnutrition and enhancing food security.

The Civil Social Protective Foundation director and Vi Agroforestry director, Mr Nemesi Kiliya, said stakeholders are planning to launch a national agroforestry stakeholders’ forum during the conference to strengthen collaboration and promote sustainable investment in the sector.