Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has officially announced the termination of its contract with Taifa Stars head coach Hemed Suleiman, popularly known as Morocco.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the decision was reached through a mutual agreement between the two parties. The federation expressed its appreciation for his service and confirmed that both sides had amicably agreed to part ways.

In a swift move to ensure continuity, TFF has appointed Singida Black Stars head coach Miguel Gamondi as the interim head coach of the national team. The Argentine tactician will take charge of the Taifa Stars as they prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, scheduled to take place in Morocco later this year.

TFF’s statement confirmed that discussions had already been held between the federation and Singida Black Stars management regarding Gamondi’s new temporary role. “Following the decision, TFF has appointed Singida Black Stars head coach Miguel Gamondi to serve as the interim head coach of Taifa Stars,” the statement reads in part.

“Discussions have been held between TFF and Singida Black Stars about the coach taking up his new responsibilities.” Gamondi’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to maintain stability within the national team setup as preparations for AFCON intensify.

The experienced coach, who has previously managed clubs across Africa, is expected to bring his technical expertise and leadership to guide Tanzania on the continental stage. Coach Morocco’s departure marks the end of a tenure that saw him steer the Taifa Stars through several competitive fixtures, including AFCON qualification matches and World Cup qualifiers.

With AFCON 2025 around the corner, the transition to a new technical leadership comes at a crucial time for the national team. All eyes will now be on Gamondi as he takes charge of the squad heading into one of Africa’s most prestigious football tournaments.

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Shinyanga. Former Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Shinyanga Regional Chairman Hamis Mgeja passed away on 3 November 2025, leaving behind a legacy as a friend, a brother, a person of strong conviction and a veteran in politics.

Leaders and residents have been paying tribute to Mgeja, remembering him as a man who stood firm in his beliefs and worked tirelessly for his community. Speaking to on 4 November, Ezekiel Maige recalled Mgeja’s unwavering stance during challenging times.

“I remember him for his steadfastness in what he believed. I witnessed this personally during a period of political turmoil.

He stood firmly with me,” Maige said. He added, “He always said he would stand with you, no matter the circumstances.

I experienced this when I faced political challenges and false accusations. I had the chance to speak with him, and he listened carefully, seeking the truth.

He spoke honestly at public meetings in the villages of Nundu and Segese in Kahama District.” Simiyu Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha described Mgeja as “a rock and a teacher in politics.

” In a message shared on a WhatsApp group, Macha said, “He participated in numerous political meetings and was among those who made significant contributions to strengthening democracy and promoting citizen participation in nation-building.” Residents also remembered Mgeja for his approachable nature.

Shinyanga resident Mary Maua said, “I will remember him for his humour and his cooperation with citizens on social and community matters. He always put people first.

” Mgeja’s passing marks the loss of a political stalwart whose commitment to his beliefs and his people left a lasting impression across Shinyanga and beyond. .

Street protests erupted as Tanzania went to the polls on October 29, 2025, under a Constitution that has remained unchanged since 2005. Built on a single-party system that has existed since independence in 1961, and with minimal amendments to the 1977 constitution, Tanzania’s legal framework lacks modern practices that protect political actors and citizens from state abuse. Unlike Kenya, where the new constitution grants power to the citizens, Tanzania’s constitution vests authority in the presidency.

“All state authority in the United Republic shall be exercised and controlled by two organs vested with executive powers, two organs vested with judicial powers, and two organs vested with legislative and supervisory powers over the conduct of public affairs,” — Tanzania (United Republic of) 1977 (rev. 2005), Part 1 (4).

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania casts her vote at Chamwino village office polling station in Dodoma on election day on October 29, 2025. “The organs vested with executive powers shall be the Government of the United Republic and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar; the organs vested with judicial powers shall be the Judiciary of the United Republic and the Judiciary of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar; and the organs vested with legislative and supervisory powers over public affairs shall be the Parliament of the United Republic and the House of Representatives.” In line with the spirit of the constitution, President Samia Suluhu Hassan holds sweeping powers over the electoral process.

The President of Tanzania has the authority to appoint and dismiss the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Critics argue that this compromises the commission’s independence, leading to decisions that favour the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party–such as the disqualification of opposition candidates on seemingly minor or “frivolous” grounds.

The law also allowed INEC final powers on the electoral tally, which cannot be challenged in court. This potentially removes safety valves judicial organs provide in other jurisdictions like Kenya and Malawi, where flawed elections were nullified by courts in the past.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania casts her vote at Chamwino village office polling station in Dodoma on election day on October 29, 2025. Tanzania became a multiparty state on July 1, 1992, following recommendations from the Presidential Commission on the Single-Party or Multiparty System. Before 1992, Tanzania was a one-party state, with CCM as the only legally permitted party.

The shift was formalised through the Constitution (Eighth) (Amendment) Act, 1992, which allowed for the registration and participation of multiple political parties. The first general elections under this system were held in 1995. However, the amendments still granted CCM sweeping powers over how the government is managed and run.

Due to the nature of the constitution and minimal reforms to accommodate full multiparty democracy, Tanzania is often described as a “One-Party State” that, every five years, allows other parties–approved by CCM under strict conditions–to participate, giving the ruling party a semblance of legitimacy. This year, 17 presidential candidates contested alongside President Samia of CCM, in an effort to lend the elections perceived legitimacy.

INEC confirmed 17 presidential candidates, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Among them are Gombo Samandito Gombo (Civic United Front – CUF), Kunje Ngombale Mwiru (AAFP), Hassan Almas (NRA), and Coaster Kibonde (Chama Makini), among others.

Chadema (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo Party for Democracy and Progress), the main opposition party, was disqualified for refusing to sign the Electoral Code of Conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, is currently on trial for treason in Dar es Salaam.

ACT Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina–who defected from CCM–was also disqualified by INEC despite favourable court rulings. This has paved the way for minimal electoral challenge to the CCM candidate in the 2025 elections, with the two major contenders removed from the race.

Tanzania still employs the provincial administration system inherited from British colonial rule, similar to Kenya and Uganda in the 1960s. (Kenya and Uganda have since tinkered with theirs).

Returning Officers are District Commissioners and government administrators. Today’s Tanzania resembles Kenya before 1988, when the country was under one-party rule.

Kenya transitioned to a multiparty system in 1992 after repealing Section 2(a) of its constitution. Before that, during the infamous 1988 “Mlolongo elections,” a District Commissioner could declare the shortest queue as the winner.

On October 29, 2025, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and candidate for the same position through the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, casts her vote at the Chamwino Village Office polling station in Dodoma. Tanzania’s constitution states that once a presidential candidate is declared the winner by the electoral commission, “no court of law shall have any jurisdiction to inquire into the election of that candidate.

” This provision grants District Commissioners and administrators sweeping powers to determine election outcomes in favour of the executive.In 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights ordered Tanzania to amend this section of the constitution.

However, the directive has yet to be implemented. In the lead-up to the elections, Tanzanian authorities passed laws and regulations that, while framed as administrative or protective reforms, collectively constrain political opposition, suppress dissent, and expand state control over freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

International media is effectively barred from covering elections in Tanzania, making it difficult to access credible information on the ground. Access to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok has been restricted or blocked during critical periods–especially immediately before and during the 2025 election–limiting information flow and public discourse.

Legislation ranging from electoral reforms to digital surveillance laws has created bureaucratic hurdles, surveillance mechanisms, and discretionary enforcement powers that disproportionately affect opposition parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), and independent media. .

Dar es Salaam. After two months of vigorous campaigns across the country, Tanzanians head to polling stations today in elections that will determine the nation’s political and socioeconomic trajectory for the next five years.

Millions are expected to vote for the President, Members of Parliament and councillors, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assures the public that all preparations for a smooth, credible and inclusive voting process have been completed. According to INEC, a total of 37,647,235 registered voters are eligible to participate, marking a 26.53 percent increase from the 29.7 million voters in 2020. Of these, 36,650,932 are registered on the Mainland, while 996,303 are registered in Zanzibar.

Women slightly outnumber men in the Permanent Voter Register, with 18,950,801 representing 50.34 percent of the electorate, compared with 18,696,439 men, or 49.66 percent. Analysts note that this female majority could significantly influence the electoral outcome, particularly in constituencies where livelihood, healthcare and social welfare issues have dominated campaign discussions.

“Maturing democracy” A political analyst from the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Richard Mbunda, notes the rise in registered voters and stronger female representation reflects “a maturing democracy where citizens, especially women, believe more than ever that change is realised through the ballot and where active participation can directly influence government policies and societal priorities”. He adds that this trend is a positive indicator for national participation and inclusive governance.

INEC has expanded polling infrastructure to improve accessibility and reduce congestion. There are now 99,895 polling stations nationwide, 97,348 on the Mainland and 2,547 in Zanzibar, representing a 22.47 percent increase compared to 2020. Voters are reminded that polling stations open at 7am and close at 4pm, but anyone still in the queue by closing time will be allowed to vote.

The Commission has issued clear directives to ensure no eligible voter is excluded. Those whose photograph is missing in the register but whose details match their voter card are allowed to vote.

Similarly, voters whose voter card number differs from the register can vote if other personal details match. Individuals who lost or damaged their voter cards may use a National ID, driving licence, or passport, provided their names are in the Permanent Voter Register.

Conversely, possessing a voter card alone does not confer voting rights. A political analyst from the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Prof Makame Ali Ussi, shares these measures reflect “proactive electoral management that promotes inclusivity while maintaining integrity.

It shows preparedness and a deliberate effort to minimise disenfranchisement and ensuring that even marginalised voters can exercise their rights with confidence”. Another major development ahead of the election is the administrative restructuring of ten wards in Katavi and Tabora regions, including areas in refugee settlements.

The withdrawn wards are Kanoge, Litapunga, Katumba and Mtapenda in Katavi; Mishamo, Ilangu, Bulamata and Ipwaga in Tanganyika District; and Milambo, Igombemkulu and Kanindo in Tabora’s Ulyankulu District. Seven ward councillor candidates had their endorsements revoked and 292 polling stations were removed and replaced with 292 new stations in neighbouring wards.

A total of 106,288 voters were successfully relocated and citizens are urged to follow their new allocations. A governance expert and political analyst at the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie, says the restructuring is “an important step to ensure electoral boundaries align with administrative jurisdictions, reducing contestation and reinforcing fairness, while also enhancing clarity for voters and candidates alike and strengthening trust in the electoral system.

” As attention shifts to the broader electoral contest, certain regions hold strategic importance in determining the presidential outcome. Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Morogoro, Tabora, Kagera, Dodoma, Tanga, Geita, Arusha and Mbeya together account for 53.73 percent of registered voters.

Dar es Salaam alone has 4.4 million voters (11.74 percent of the national electorate), followed by Mwanza (6.02 percent), Morogoro (5.61 percent), Tabora (4.78 percent), Kagera (4.68 percent), Dodoma (4.64 percent), Tanga (4.34 percent), Geita (4.07 percent), Arusha (4.06 percent) and Mbeya (3.79 percent).

Political analysts emphasise that turnout in these high-population areas could determine the winner. Dr Loisulie notes, “High-population areas can determine the presidency, as the sheer number of voters in these regions often becomes the decisive factor that shapes the national outcome.

” Dr Matrona Kabyemela of the University of Dar es Salaam adds, “Historically, victories for presidential candidates have been propelled by support from the Lake Zone and other populous regions, showing the strategic importance of targeting high-voter areas effectively, where mobilising turnout and responding to local issues can make or break a campaign.” Youth and female voters On top of that, youth and female voters are expected to be decisive.

Campaign messaging on unemployment, rising cost of living and entrepreneurial reforms has been heavily targeted at the youth. Women, now a majority among registered voters, have emerged as key constituencies, advocating for improved access to financial services, maternal healthcare and safety in their communities.

Prof Ussi notes, “This is a strategic shift in Tanzanian politics, where youth and women are no longer peripheral but actively addressed as key constituencies. Recognising their priorities may increase both turnout and accountability in the next parliamentary and council elections, signalling a more inclusive approach to governance that could reshape political engagement for years to come.

” Security authorities have been deployed nationwide to ensure a peaceful vote, while INEC has accredited domestic and international observers to monitor credibility. The Commission has upgraded technological infrastructure to guarantee efficient results management and transparency.

Preliminary outcomes are expected tonight, with official results announced within legally stipulated timelines. Pivotal moment As polling begins, Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment.

Citizens from the Mainland and Isles are stepping forward with expectations that the leaders elected today will accelerate national development, uphold democratic principles and reinforce unity and peace. The Commission reminds voters that their participation is the ultimate expression of national sovereignty.

“This is a moment for every eligible Tanzanian to exercise their constitutional right. Your vote is going to be your voice, a powerful tool to shape the future of the nation, influence development and hold leaders accountable for their promises and actions,” the INEC Chairperson, Justice (Rtd) Jacobs Mwambegele said.

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Dar es Salaam. The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has intensified its intervention in the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM), injecting a total of $35 million over four days in a bid to boost dollar liquidity and stabilise the shilling.

On Friday October 24, 2025, the BoT sold $15 million at a weighted average exchange rate of Sh2,471.73 per dollar. Demand was strong, with 26 banks submitting bids worth $34.75 million–more than double the amount offered–and 14 banks securing allocations.

Responding to continued demand, the central bank increased its supply on Monday this week, selling $20 million. The move led to an immediate appreciation of the shilling, as the weighted average rate strengthened to Sh2,465.13 per dollar.

Despite the injection, dollar appetite remained robust, with 23 banks tendering bids totalling $29.5 million. Again, 14 banks were successful, according to BoT data.

BoT governor Emmanuel Tutuba said the interventions are part of the bank’s regular liquidity management operations aimed at ensuring stability in the financial system. “As the Bank of Tanzania, our core mandate is to regulate the economy, which includes ensuring there is adequate liquidity within the financial system,” he said.

“We constantly assess market conditions to determine whether to inject or withdraw liquidity, depending on what is needed to maintain balance.” Mr Tutuba added that the BoT continuously monitors the balance positions of commercial banks to ensure smooth market operations.

“We will continue to closely track market demand and the movement of the shilling to ensure stability and orderly functioning of the foreign exchange market,” he said. The consecutive interventions mark some of the most active episodes in Tanzania’s forex market this year, underscoring the BoT’s readiness to act swiftly in response to market pressures.

The stronger exchange rate recorded in Monday’s auction also suggests that dollar demand has begun to ease following the injections. The shilling has remained largely stable throughout 2025, supported by rising export earnings from gold, gas and tourism.

Inflation has stayed within the BoT’s target range of 35 percent, while foreign reserves continue to cover more than four months of imports, according to official data. Amid ongoing global dollar strength and high import bills weighing on frontier markets, the BoT’s timely interventions signal its commitment to maintaining market confidence and currency stability through transparent and proactive measures .

Dar es Salaam. Commercial activity came to a standstill in Kimanga’s Savanah area on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 morning, as nearly all shops remained closed amid the ongoing general election.

A spot check revealed that out of 30 shops in the busy neighbourhood, only one had opened its doors. The shopkeeper, who requested anonymity, said most business owners had been advised to stay closed until the afternoon.

“We were told not to open our shops until 2 p.m.

,” the shopkeeper explained. “I just have a few orders to deliver, and I’ll be closing my shop in about 10 minutes.

” The closure of shops reflected the calm yet watchful atmosphere across Dar es Salaam, as residents turned their focus to exercising their civic duty. Many traders are expected to resume operations later in the day, once voting concludes.

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Dar es Salaam. Advisory and investment banking firm SSC Capital has launched four new financing platforms that seek to address access to capital challenge in Tanzania.

The new platforms, Mbadala Agro Fund, TAIN Fund, DealME, and Wengi, are designed to support funding for startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large projects, and public-private partnerships (PPPs), marking one of the most comprehensive financing initiatives in the local market by a private firm. SSC Capital chief executive, Mr Salum Awadh, said the new initiatives will significantly contribute to the funding ecosystem in Tanzania, which has seen tremendous growth over the recent years in terms of supporting startups.

“For all this time, we have been heavily involved in advising, raising, supporting, and structuring fundraises for many companies, from startups to large enterprises, with many initiatives launched along the way, we have accumulated a lot of experiences, knowledge, and lessons on how best to support Tanzanian businesses and projects to access funding for their growth and contribution to the economy,” he said. Founded 16 years ago, SSC Capital provides services in strategy advisory, asset and wealth management, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, global markets, and credit rating.

The firm, headquartered in Tanzania, operates across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Dubai, and Europe, and has executed advisory and capital-raising transactions exceeding $300 million. The company’s new initiative, the Mbadala Agro Fund, is a $10 million early-stage impact venture fund targeting Tanzania’s agriculture sector.

It will invest between $150,000 and $300,000 in agribusiness startups and SMEs from input suppliers to food retailers. The TAIN Fund — an evolution of the former Tanzania Angel Investors Network — will serve as a structured angel investment vehicle, pooling individual and institutional investors seeking early-stage opportunities.

It plans to deploy between $50,000 and $150,000 in technology-driven startups across sectors. Meanwhile, DealME, an AI-powered digital marketplace, will match major projects with investors and financiers, offering an alternative route to capital for both private and public ventures.

“This marketplace will address this visibility problem, while supporting project promoters to develop their projects to the quality desired by investors,” Mr Awadh said. The company also plans to revive Wengi, a crowdfunding platform allowing small businesses to list shares and attract retail investors with contributions starting from Sh50,000. The platform will also serve non-profits seeking grants and donations once it receives approval from the Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA).

Complementing the launches, SSC Capital rolled out a national funding literacy campaign dubbed “Where is the Money?” to boost investment readiness through training, mentorship, and coaching “We call upon partners, collaborators, investors, hubs, and other ecosystem enablers to work with us in ensuring that these initiatives reach as many beneficiaries as possible,” he added. .

Dar es Salaam. Over 37.6 million Tanzanians are expected to cast their ballots today to elect the president, Members of Parliament, and councillors in one of the most closely watched general elections in recent Tanzania’s history.

Yet, conspicuously missing from the presidential ballot paper is ACT-Wazalendo’s would-be flag-bearer, Mr Luhaga Mpina, whose quest to vie for the highest office was thwarted following a series of legal and procedural setbacks. Mr Mpina, a former cabinet minister and long-serving legislator who defected from Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) earlier this year, had been overwhelmingly endorsed by ACT-Wazalendo’s General Assembly on August 6, 2025, as the party’s presidential candidate.

But his political ascent was abruptly halted after the Registrar of Political Parties annulled his endorsement, citing internal objections and alleged procedural irregularities. A party member, Ms Monalisa Ndala, lodged a complaint challenging the validity of Mr Mpina’s nomination, arguing that it contravened ACT-Wazalendo’s 2015 constitution.

The Registrar subsequently instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept Mr Mpina’s nomination papers–a move that triggered a legal storm and exposed the fragility of internal democracy within opposition parties. Refusing to concede defeat, ACT-Wazalendo’s Board of Trustees and Mr Mpina filed a petition before the High Court on August 27, 2025, contesting the Registrar’s directive.

In an initial victory for the party, the court, on September 11, 2025, ruled in favour of Mr Mpina, directing INEC to receive his nomination papers, arguing that the Commission’s earlier refusal had violated Article 13(6)(a) of the Constitution by denying him the right to be heard. Buoyed by the ruling, Mr Mpina submitted his nomination forms two days later, on September 13, seemingly reviving his presidential hopes.

But the reprieve was short-lived. Within days, two rival aspirants, joined by the Attorney General, filed fresh objections that INEC upheld, effectively invalidating his candidacy once again.

Determined to fight on, ACT-Wazalendo’s Board and Mr Mpina returned to court on September 15, arguing through their lawyers, Mr John Seka and Mr Edson Kilatu, that both the Registrar and the Commission had overstepped their authority. They contended that the Registrar had misinterpreted the party’s constitution, acted beyond his jurisdiction, and abused his powers by nullifying a legitimate nomination.

“The first respondent exercised authority over internal party elections for an improper purpose–to exclude the second applicant from the presidential race,” reads part of their application. The petitioners maintained that the decision was unlawful, irrational, and malicious, noting that no objections had been raised during the General Assembly where Mr Mpina was endorsed.

Despite the spirited challenge, the legal tide turned against them. On October 15, 2025, the High Court’s Dodoma Registry, presided over by Justice Fredrick Manyanda, sitting with Justices Sylvester Kainda and Abdallah Gonzi, dismissed the constitutional petition.

The three-judge bench held that the Constitution bars interference in the functions of INEC, affirming that the Commission had acted within its constitutional mandate. With that judgment, Mr Mpina’s presidential dream officially ended, closing one of the most dramatic nomination sagas in Tanzania’s recent political history.

His exclusion left 17 presidential contenders to vie for the nation’s top office. The legal and political ripple effects of the ruling, however, continue to reverberate within the opposition camp.

Analysts say the case underscores the persistent challenges facing political parties in managing internal governance, candidate selection, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. According to Dr Richard Mbunda, a political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the decision was legally unsurprising given the constitutional protection accorded to INEC’s decisions.

“The Commission is insulated from external interference, and its decisions are final unless the law provides otherwise,” he said, adding “What this episode highlights is the urgent need to reform electoral laws to ensure a fairer playing field for all political actors.” Dr Mbunda observed that while Mr Mpina’s exclusion may appear politically motivated to some, the case would likely serve as an important legal precedent and a cautionary tale for future aspirants navigating Tanzania’s complex electoral system.

“His persistence and legal pursuit offer political scientists and constitutional lawyers a critical case study in the intersection of party autonomy and state regulatory oversight,” he noted. Another scholar, Dr Paul Loisulie, a political science and public administration lecturer at the University of Dodoma (Udom), shared similar sentiments, arguing that the saga was as much a legal issue as it was a reflection of internal party dynamics.

“While the court decisions were grounded in law, they also reveal how political newcomers can face institutional resistance within their new parties,” he said. “Opposition parties must therefore strengthen internal democracy and long-term planning if they are to avoid similar pitfalls in future elections.

” He added that the episode should inspire political parties to invest early in nurturing credible candidates and addressing constitutional loopholes that expose them to administrative interventions. “Elections are not won in courtrooms; they are won through foresight, unity, and organisational preparedness,” Dr Loisulie remarked.

As Tanzanians head to the polls today, the absence of Luhaga Mpina from the presidential race stands as a poignant reminder of how political ambition can be undone by procedural intricacies and legal technicalities. For ACT-Wazalendo, his disqualification marks a missed opportunity to expand its political reach and project itself as a formidable contender in national politics.

Whether his exclusion will reshape the opposition’s future strategy or deepen internal divisions remains to be seen. But for now, Mr Mpina will be remembered as the presidential candidate who never was–a figure whose journey captured the tension between law, politics, and ambition in Tanzania’s evolving democracy.

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Dar es Salaam. As Tanzanians headed to the polls for the 2025 general election, residents of Kinondoni commended the calm and well-organised atmosphere that marked the early hours of voting on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. By 9 a.

m., several polling stations in the constituency reported smooth operations and steady voter turnout, with many participants expressing satisfaction and optimism about the day’s proceedings.

Samweli Mkinga, a voter in his 40s, said, “I arrived early, voted without any issues, and the atmosphere has been calm throughout. It’s encouraging to see such order.

” Secondary school teacher Shida Massawe observed notable improvement compared to past elections. “The queues are moving steadily, people are respectful, and the election officials are doing their job professionally,” she said.

For Hamisi Kihesa, the serenity of the day inspired confidence in the integrity of the polls. “We are voting in harmony, and that gives me hope that the outcome will reflect the will of the people,” he remarked.

Neema Daniel praised the presence of security personnel and polling officials, saying it contributed to a sense of safety and respect. “There’s discipline and mutual respect among voters — something we should be proud of,” she said.

According to Carlos Kora, the turnout across age groups reflected growing civic engagement. “Young people and elders are showing up peacefully.

There’s positive energy — it shows people believe in this process,” he said. First-time voter Faustina Nyalali described her experience as empowering.

“I feel safe and involved. Everything is well explained, and the environment is welcoming,” she shared.

Yusuph Ng’oni noted the cooperation among voters as a sign of democratic maturity. “People are calm, helping one another, and following instructions.

It’s a good sign of democratic growth,” he said. Paulina Mtui echoed the sentiments, praising the patience and organisation at polling centres.

“Even those who arrived very early are patiently waiting their turn. The organisation is commendable, and I hope it remains like this throughout the day,” she said.

Voting continues across Kinondoni and other constituencies as the nation marks another milestone in its democratic journey. .

Dar es Salaam. African tax authorities must work together as a team if they are to overcome the many challenges confronting their day-to-day operations, a continental forum has heard.

This was one of the key messages delivered during a three-day workshop on Enhancing Tax Compliance among High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in Africa, held in Entebbe, Uganda, last week. The event was co-organised by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), and hosted by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Opening the workshop, URA Assistant Commissioner for the Large Taxpayers Office, Mr Ngaruye Innocent, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner General, underscored the need for collective action to broaden the tax base and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation. ATAF Executive Secretary Ms Mary Baine emphasised the power of partnership, noting that collaboration among ATAF, URA and ICTD had made the workshop possible.

She outlined major challenges facing African tax administrations–under-resourcing, limited integration of third-party data, and inadequate use of administrative data for decision-making–and reaffirmed ATAF’s commitment to supporting members in achieving domestic revenue mobilisation goals in line with the Seville Declaration. She urged tax administrations to approach the HNWI agenda with confidence and a problem-solving mindset.

Delivering the opening keynote, Mr Sam Shivute, Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and ATAF Council Vice Chair, reinforced the importance of the Seville principles, stressing the pivotal role of leadership in building credible, fair, and trusted HNWI compliance programmes. A high-level panel discussion on The Strategic and Political Dynamics of Taxing HNWIs, moderated by Mr Martin Hearson, ICTD Director, brought together Mr Shivute, Ms Baine, and Mr Henry Ngutwa, Deputy Commissioner General of the Malawi Revenue Authority.

The panellists shared insights on strengthening compliance frameworks, improving access to data, enhancing inter-institutional cooperation, and managing political sensitivities to ensure equitable and efficient taxation of Africa’s wealthiest individuals. In subsequent sessions, participants from 15 countries exchanged experiences on profiling HNWIs, identifying priority datasets and tools, and reviewing legal and administrative frameworks for enforcement.

The forum concluded with actionable recommendations to inform ATAF’s updated Guide on Taxing High-Net-Worth Individuals and to guide future research and technical assistance efforts. By bringing together more than 45 delegates, the Entebbe workshop marked another step towards building fairer tax systems, strengthening public trust, and reinforcing the continent’s domestic revenue base.

Back home, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has demonstrated its commitment to this agenda through the recent launch of a dedicated High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) Office at the Golden Jubilee Towers in Dar es Salaam. Speaking during the official opening of the office, TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda (pictured) said the initiative reflects the Authority’s drive for fairness and transparency in taxation.

“The establishment of this office demonstrates our commitment to fairness and transparency in taxation. High-net-worth individuals play a crucial role in our economy, and this initiative ensures that they are supported with efficient, professional, and personalised tax services while fulfilling their obligations under the law.

This is about strengthening compliance but equally about building trust and partnership between the Authority and taxpayers,” he said. In May 2025, ATAF launched a technical mission to support several tax administrations, including Tanzania’s, under the HNWI Taxation Project.

The initiative aims to assess the legal and administrative feasibility of improving compliance among individuals with significant assets, refining existing systems rather than introducing new taxes. Meanwhile, ATAF’s Applied Research and Statistics Unit continues to conduct research on HNWI taxation in partnership with the ICTD–an effort expected to further strengthen evidence-based policymaking across Africa’s tax systems.

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