Category: The Citizen

There was a time when you could recognise a Bongo Flava song within seconds.

The Swahili lyrics, storytelling and melodies gave Tanzania a sound that was impossible to confuse with music from anywhere else in Africa.

Today, that identity seems to be fading.

Walk into most clubs, scroll through streaming playlists or spend a few minutes on social media and you’ll hear the same thing, Amapiano dominates the speakers.

There is nothing wrong with that, South Africa deserves credit for creating one of the continent’s biggest musical exports.

But as Tanzanian artistes increasingly embrace the sound, one question keeps coming back, are we slowly forgetting what made Bongo Flava special?

This is not a call to reject musical evolution, music has always borrowed ideas and crossed borders.

The problem begins when influence replaces identity that is why the recent comments by British-Nigerian trio Shiikane stood out. The sisters Shay, Annamay and Kay encouraged Tanzanian artistes to preserve the sounds that define their cultures instead of constantly following whichever genre is trending.

Their message was simple: originality is what makes music travel.

The same concern has been raised before. South African artiste Sho Madjozi once spoke about missing the earlier sound of Bongo Flava, praising its originality and distinctive identity.

It says something when people outside Tanzania recognise the value of our music before we do.

Bongo Flava became one of East Africa’s biggest genres because it sounded proudly Tanzanian.

It told local stories in Kiswahili, reflected everyday life and blended different influences without losing its own character.

Artistes did not become successful by sounding like someone else, they became successful because they sounded like themselves.

That confidence is what seems to be missing today. Ironically, the best example of protecting identity comes from another Tanzanian genre Singeli.

For years, Singeli was dismissed as street music. Today, it is performed at international festivals and embraced by global audiences.

It did not achieve that by sounding Nigerian or South African. It succeeded because it remained unapologetically Tanzanian.

Nigeria exported Afrobeats because it invested in its own sound. South Africa gave the world Amapiano because it developed a genre with its own identity.

Tanzania already has Bongo Flava and Singeli, two sounds capable of carrying the country’s culture far beyond its borders.

Protecting that identity should not be left to artists alone. Producers, DJs, radio stations, streaming platforms and event organisers all have a responsibility to ensure Tanzanian music remains at the centre of its own industry.

Bongo Flava doesn’t need to stop evolving. It should continue experimenting, collaborating and embracing new influences.

The next global hit from Tanzania should not leave listeners wondering whether it came from somewhere else.

It should leave them with only one conclusion, this could only be Bongo Flava.

More than 10,000 local and international runners are expected to participate in the sixth edition of the Yas Zanzibar International Marathon, as organisers seek to further cement Zanzibar’s reputation as one of Africa’s emerging sports tourism destinations.

Zanzibar’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Riziki Pembe Juma, said participants are expected from across Tanzania and several other countries, underscoring the growing international appeal of the annual event.

He said the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar would continue partnering with the private sector to promote sporting activities that stimulate economic growth, boost tourism and encourage healthier lifestyles.

‘The Yas Zanzibar International Marathon has grown beyond being an athletics competition. It is a platform that showcases Zanzibar to the world, promotes sports tourism, nurtures athletic talent and encourages people to embrace exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. The Government will continue supporting stakeholders who invest in the development of sports and public health,’ said Dr Pembe.

The event was recently launched by telecommunications company Yas Tanzania, reaffirming the firm’s commitment to investing in sports, public health and tourism through the annual marathon.

Yas returns as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, with this year’s edition expected to attract a record number of participants from Tanzania and abroad. Registration and payments will be conducted digitally through the Mixx by Yas platform.

Yas Tanzania chief ffnancial officer Innocent Rwetabura said the company remains committed to using sport as a platform to unite communities, promote healthy living and support the growth of sports tourism.

He said the steady increase in participation over the years reflects growing public awareness of the importance of regular physical activity, particularly as Tanzania continues efforts to combat the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

‘The Yas Zanzibar International Marathon has become an important platform that brings together people from Tanzania and beyond, nurtures young talent and promotes Zanzibar as a leading sports tourism destination. As participation and visitor numbers continue to grow, so do the opportunities for the tourism industry, local businesses and Zanzibar’s wider economy,’ said Rwetabura.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reviving the constitutional review process, saying political reconciliation efforts will continue as the country moves towards constitutional reforms in accordance with the law.

Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with leaders of 18 political parties at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Hassan said the government remained committed to political dialogue aimed at laying the groundwork for constitutional reforms.

“The government will continue political reconciliation efforts leading to constitutional reforms in accordance with the laws and procedures of the country,” she said.

President Hassan said the reconciliation process in Zanzibar had reached an advanced stage and preparations were under way for the next phase, which would focus on constitutional reforms.

She said every stage of the process would be conducted within the country’s legal and institutional framework, adding that the initiative was intended to serve the national interest.

The President also announced that the government would continue holding meetings with political party leaders every three months to discuss matters of national importance.

The meeting brought together chairpersons, deputy chairpersons, secretaries-general and youth leaders from the 18 political parties. It was the second such engagement convened by President Hassan since the 2025 General Election.

The first meeting was held on March 31, 2026, at State House and brought together presidential candidates and running mates from parties that contested the 2025 General Election.

Besides political matters, President Hassan outlined the country’s economic performance, saying the economy grew by 6 percent last year and was projected to expand by 6.3 percent this year.

She said the government remained focused on completing ongoing development projects while continuing to invest in strategic infrastructure, including railways, roads, ports and other transport facilities.

On investment, President Hassan said improvements at the Port of Dar es Salaam had increased its capacity to handle both domestic and regional trade. She added that the government was also expanding operations at ports along the Indian Ocean coast and on lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa.

President Hassan urged political parties to safeguard peace, freedom and the national interest, saying maintaining peace was a shared responsibility.

“The protection of Tanzania’s peace is the responsibility of the government, political parties and all citizens,” she said.

During the meeting, political party leaders presented views on political, economic and social issues affecting the country.

The government said it would consider the recommendations through established institutional decision-making mechanisms as part of efforts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with political stakeholders.

ACT-Wazalendo and the Zanzibar government have clashed over the cost of infrastructure being developed for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with the opposition questioning conflicting figures while the government accuses critics of misleading the public.

The dispute centres on the cost of the Fumba stadium and other Afcon-related projects.

Speaking during the launch of electric buses on July 23, Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi dismissed claims that the government was spending Sh1.4 trillion on the stadium, saying the actual cost was $150 million, or about Sh300 billion.

‘The figures being quoted are incorrect. It is not true that we are spending Sh1.4 trillion,’ he said.

Although he did not mention anyone by name, his remarks followed comments by ACT-Wazalendo national chairperson Othman Masoud, who told Wasafi TV that the government planned to spend Sh1.6 trillion on the Afcon Sports City.

‘We are told the government will spend Sh1.6 trillion on the Afcon Sports City. How will such an investment be recovered?’ he queried.

Addressing journalists on July 29, ACT members in the Zanzibar House of Representatives called on the government to clarify the conflicting figures.

Reading a joint statement, the party’s chief whip, Prof Omar Fakih Hamad, said the public had been left confused.

‘We want to know which figure is correct. Who is telling the truth – the President or the Minister for Finance and Planning?’ he said.

Prof Hamad said the confusion arose because the 2026/27 Zanzibar budget stated that Sh1.069 trillion had been allocated for Afcon-related infrastructure.

Finance and Planning Minister Juma Malik Akil rejected the opposition’s claims, saying they misrepresented the budget.

He said the Sh1.069 trillion allocation covered all Afcon-related investment projects, including roads, tourism infrastructure, social services, ports and airports, rather than the stadium alone.

‘The budget document and Hansard are clear. No part of the budget states that Sh1.6 trillion will be spent on the Fumba stadium,’ Dr Akil added.

A review of the budget document by The Citizen confirms that the allocation is Sh1.069 trillion.

Dr Akil said the government allocated Sh165 billion for the stadium in the 2025/26 financial year and had budgeted another Sh186 billion in 2026/27, bringing the total cost of the stadium project to Sh351 billion.

He said the wider Afcon investment programme is intended to stimulate economic growth, expand tourism, create jobs and raise Tanzania’s international profile.

According to the minister, the tournament is also expected to attract local and foreign investment while creating opportunities for young people through employment and sports development.

The Board of Trustees of the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) has appointed Dr Ally Olotu (pictured) as the institute’s chief executive director, effective September 1, 2026.

Dr Olotu succeeds Dr Honorati Masanja, who has led the institute since 2016 and is credited with strengthening its scientific excellence, expanding its research portfolio and partnerships, and reinforcing its reputation as one of Africa’s leading health research institutions.

In announcing the appointment, the board thanked Dr Masanja for his decade of leadership and expressed confidence that Dr Olotu would build on the institute’s achievements.

“IHI warmly welcomes Dr Olotu to his new role and invites its staff, partners, collaborators, communities and stakeholders to support him as he assumes this important responsibility,” the board said in a statement.

Dr Olotu takes over at a time when IHI is marking nearly seven decades of health research. Founded in Ifakara, the institute has grown into one of Africa’s leading research organisations, contributing to health policy, scientific innovation and capacity building in Tanzania and beyond.

A medical doctor and health researcher, Dr Olotu has more than 18 years’ experience in infectious disease epidemiology, immunology, vaccine development and clinical trials.

He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Dar es Salaam and a PhD from the University of Oxford.

His work has focused largely on malaria and vaccine development, while also contributing to research on other infectious and emerging diseases.

He has led major clinical research programmes, including multi-country clinical trials, and has extensive experience in building international research partnerships and translating scientific evidence into health policy.

Dr Olotu is no stranger to IHI, having served in several senior leadership positions, including director of science and head of the Department of Biomedical Research and Clinical Trials.

In those roles, he provided strategic scientific leadership, helped shape the institute’s research priorities and oversaw major research programmes and clinical trial platforms.

Before joining IHI, he spent nine years at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya, where he contributed to malaria epidemiology and vaccine studies.

His achievements have earned him several international honours, including the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Senior Fellowship, the Medical Research Council African Research Leadership Award and the WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship.

The board said Dr Olotu’s scientific credentials, leadership experience and deep understanding of the institute’s mission positioned him well to lead IHI into its next phase of growth, innovation and impact.

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) has signed a three-year partnership with the Association of Young Lawyers (AYL) under the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) to strengthen investment promotion by building the capacity of young legal professionals.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Dar es Salaam on July 29, aims to equip young lawyers with specialised knowledge of investment laws and regulations, enabling them to provide legal support to investors and contribute to improving Tanzania’s investment climate.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Tiseza director general Gilead Teri said lawyers are among the first professionals investors consult when establishing or expanding businesses, making their role critical in attracting investment. He said the partnership would enhance young lawyers’ understanding of investment laws, policies and procedures, enabling them to serve as recognised investment service providers.

“We will work together to build the capacity of young lawyers so they can provide quality legal advisory services to investors and contribute to attracting more investment into the country,” Mr Teri said.

Under the agreement, Tiseza and AYL will jointly organise training programmes covering investment legislation, policies, regulations and other aspects of investment facilitation.

AYL chairperson Emanuel Ukashu said the initiative would equip young lawyers with practical skills to support investors while contributing to national economic development.

He said the association had identified investment as one of its strategic priorities in line with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which seeks to accelerate economic growth through increased investment.

“We want young lawyers to become active participants in the country’s investment agenda by offering professional legal services that strengthen investor confidence,” Mr Ukashu said.

The partnership is expected to deepen collaboration between Tiseza and AYL while creating a pool of lawyers with specialised expertise in investment facilitation and investor support.

As Spain celebrated its triumph on football’s grandest stage by lifting the 2026 World Cup trophy, nine Tanzanians were also celebrating victories of their own after emerging winners in WasafiBet’s World Cup Kibingwa Zaidi campaign.

The promotion, which ran from June 10 to July 19, transformed the excitement of the month-long global football spectacle into rewarding moments for customers across Tanzania.

Throughout the tournament, participants who placed bets worth Sh2,000 or more that included a World Cup match automatically qualified for weekly prize draws.

In a statement, WasafiBet said World Cup Kibingwa Zaidi was designed to reward customers throughout the tournament, with winners selected every week during the campaign period.

Under the promotion, one winner walked away with a Sh500,000 shopping gift voucher while another received a brand-new TVS motorcycle.

The campaign concluded after five weeks with nine winners from across the country receiving prizes, including five TVS motorcycles and four Sh500,000 shopping vouchers.

The winners hailed from Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Pwani, Njombe, Kongowe and Songwe, reflecting the nationwide reach of the promotion.

“World Cup Kibingwa Zaidi was our way of celebrating the spirit of the World Cup with our customers by rewarding them every week throughout the tournament,” the company said in a statement.

While football fans around the world watched Spain make history on the pitch, Tanzanian customers were creating memorable moments of their own.

WasafiBet said the campaign forms part of its commitment to offering customers engaging experiences during major sporting events through promotions that reward their participation.

Tanzania’s six representatives in the 2026/2027 CAF interclub competitions will discover their preliminary round opponents on August 6 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts the official draw in Cairo, Egypt.

Mainland champions Young Africans (Yanga) and runners-up Simba will represent the country in the CAF Champions League, while Azam FC and Singida Black Stars will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Zanzibar will also have two representatives, with KVZ featuring in the CAF Champions League and KMKM taking part in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Reports received by The Citizen yesterday indicate that the draw will be held in Cairo, setting the stage for another demanding continental campaign.

CAF is expected to confirm the final pairings once all participating clubs from its member associations have been officially registered.

The first preliminary round is scheduled for September 4 to 6, with the return legs to be played between September 11 and 13.

Winners will advance to the second preliminary round, whose first legs are set for October 16 to 18 before the return fixtures on October 23 to 25. The group stage of both competitions will kick off at the end of November, beginning with Matchday One from November 27 to 29.

The knockout rounds are scheduled to start in late February 2027, while the finals will be played between May 9 and 31.

For Yanga and Simba, the August 6 draw represents the first step in their quest to make a deeper impact in Africa’s premier club competition.

Yanga have become one of East Africa’s most consistent performers in recent seasons. The Jangwani Street side reached the quarter-finals in the 2023/2024 campaign before making consecutive group-stage appearances in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 editions.

The Tanzanian champions are now determined to go a step further by returning to the knockout stage and mounting a serious challenge for the title, which has remained elusive for Mainland clubs in the CAF Champions League era. Traditional rivals Simba will also head into the competition with renewed ambition.

The Msimbazi Street side reached the quarter-finals in the 2022/23 and 2023/2024 seasons before ending their 2025/2026 campaign in the group stage.

Having strengthened their squad ahead of the new season, Simba will be aiming to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite by progressing beyond the group stage and challenging for continental honours.

Meanwhile, Azam FC and Singida Black Stars will be eager to make their mark in the CAF Confederation Cup, while Zanzibar’s KVZ and KMKM will be looking to enhance the Isles’ growing presence in African club football as all six Tanzanian representatives prepare for another demanding continental assignment.

The Tanzania Police Force has announced that it will resume receiving notices from organisers intending to hold public meetings, saying the country’s security situation has improved. In a statement issued on Wednesday from Police Headquarters in Dodoma, police spokesperson David Misime said the decision followed security operations that disrupted alleged plans by some individuals to carry out unlawful acts aimed at disturbing public order.

According to the statement, members of the public played a key role by providing information to security agencies and refusing to participate in activities that allegedly violated the law.

Police alleged that investigations uncovered plans to block roads, set schools on fire to instil fear among parents and guardians, vandalise Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) transformers and attack police officers.

The force also claimed that the alleged activities were coordinated through meetings involving children and young people, door-to-door mobilisation and gatherings organised as neighbourhood clubs.

Police said the operations led to the arrest of several suspects whose names were released on July 9. Some have since been charged in court, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspects.

“We sincerely thank citizens for providing information and refusing to participate in the unlawful acts that were being planned and encouraged,” the statement said.

During the security operations, police said they also received notices from political parties and Members of Parliament seeking to hold rallies and public meetings across the country.

As the authority responsible for maintaining law and order during public gatherings, police said they advised organisers to postpone the meetings because of the prevailing security situation.

However, the force said the situation had since stabilised, allowing organisers to resume submitting notices in accordance with the law.

“With the country’s security situation continuing to remain stable, the Police Force will continue receiving notices of intended public meetings. Those planning such meetings should continue submitting their notices to District Police Commanders as required by law,” the statement said.

Police urged organisers to comply with legal procedures governing public meetings and called on the public to continue reporting suspected criminal activities.

The force said maintaining peace and security remains essential for the country’s social and economic development and appealed for continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that foundation begins in the earliest moments after birth. One of the greatest gifts a mother can give her child is to breastfeed, a natural practice that remains among the most powerful and cost-effective interventions for improving child survival, protecting maternal health and promoting long-term wellbeing.

As we commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, we are reminded that all stakeholders need to provide an enabling environment where families, communities, employers, healthcare providers and policymakers work together to support every mother to achieve her breastfeeding goals.

Under the theme, ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,’ strengthening breastfeeding is not only an investment in individual families but also in our future health, productivity, environment and sustainable development.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that every newborn should be breastfed within one hour of birth, receive only breast milk for the first six months of life, and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least two years of age.

These recommendations are grounded in decades of scientific evidence demonstrating that early and sustained breastfeeding gives children the strongest foundation for healthy growth and development.

Breastmilk is nature’s first vaccine and the ideal source of newborn nutrition. It contains the precise balance of nutrients a baby needs during the first six months of life while providing antibodies and other protective factors that strengthen the immune system and guard against common childhood infections as well as chronic diseases.

According to the Demographic and Health Survey, 2022, Tanzania has made significant progress in exclusive breastfeeding, with national rates increasing from 41 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2022.

However, this national average masks substantial regional disparities, as some local studies in Tanzania report exclusive breastfeeding rates as low as 20-30 percent, underscoring persistent inequities and the need for targeted interventions to ensure that mothers do not face significant barriers that prevent them from giving their babies the best start in life.

Evidence shows that single mothers are less likely to exclusively breastfeed, while among women living with HIV, unemployment is associated with lower breastfeeding rates. These findings highlight the need for targeted support to ensure that all mothers, regardless of their circumstances, can successfully breastfeed their infants.

The evidence also reveals significant knowledge gaps. Most breastfeeding studies in Tanzania have been conducted in the northern part of the country, leaving many regions underrepresented and limiting understanding of how cultural, social, and economic factors influence breastfeeding practices nationwide.

To accelerate progress towards global breastfeeding targets, Tanzania’s Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders should implement the following interventions:

Firstly, strengthen support programmes for vulnerable mothers, including adolescents, single parents, and those living in poverty, who face the greatest barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. They often lack information, family support, and access to healthcare. By creating dedicated programmes that offer home visits, peer counselling, and nutritional support, we can ensure that the mothers who need help most are not left behind.

Secondly, provide consistent and culturally appropriate counselling during antenatal care. Counselling that is regular, clear, and respectful of local traditions can build a mother’s confidence long before her baby arrives. When health workers take time to listen, address fears, and explain the benefits of breastfeeding in a way that resonates with a mother’s culture, she is far more likely to breastfeed exclusively and successfully.

Thirdly, expand community support networks, such as mother-to-mother support groups, trained community health workers, and local breastfeeding champions who can provide encouragement, practical tips, and a sense of belonging. When a mother knows she is not alone and has someone to call for help, she is more likely to persist through challenges.

Fourthly, implement flexible work schedules and family-friendly workplace policies for working mothers. Many working mothers are forced to stop breastfeeding early because they cannot balance their jobs with their baby’s needs. Flexible hours, longer maternity leave, paid breaks for expressing milk, and access to clean spaces for breastfeeding or pumping can make all the difference.

Finally, we must invest in research across all regions of the country. Tanzania is a diverse country, and what works in Dar es Salaam may not work in rural Rukwa or coastal Tanga. Without local data, we cannot design policies that truly work for every community.