Category: The Citizen

Tanzania national boxing team captain Yusuf Changalawe’s journey at the international championship came to an early end after a shoulder injury disrupted his Round of 16 bout against Kenya’s Robert Okaka in the Light Heavyweight (80kg) category.

Changalawe, who was representing Tanzania’s ‘Faru Weusi’ national boxing team, lost the highly contested Bout No. 90 by unanimous decision after failing to produce his best performance due to the injury sustained during the fight.

The shoulder problem affected the Tanzanian boxer’s movement and forced him to change his tactical approach. Changalawe struggled to execute the game plan he had prepared, allowing Okaka to take control and secure victory through the judges’ decision. The defeat ended Changalawe’s hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals and continuing Tanzania’s campaign in the men’s category.

Speaking after the bout, Changalawe admitted that the outcome was disappointing but vowed to return stronger.

‘This is not the result I expected. I believed the opponent was within my ability, but the shoulder injury prevented me from showing my true level. However, I will continue working hard and prepare for the next competitions,’ he said.

The Tanzania Boxing Federation (BFT) praised Changalawe for his commitment, courage and dedication in representing the country at the international level.

The federation said the boxer’s determination despite the injury demonstrated his professionalism and patriotism, while wishing him a quick recovery so he can return to the ring stronger.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s hopes of securing further progress at the championship now rest on women’s boxer Zawadi Kutaka, who remains the country’s only boxer still in contention.

Kutaka has carried Tanzania’s hopes in the women’s category and is expected to continue fighting for a strong finish as the national team seeks to make an impact on the global stage.

The championship has brought together some of the world’s best boxers, providing a valuable platform for Tanzanian athletes to gain international experience and compete against elite opponents.

Despite Changalawe’s exit, the national team management said the participation of Tanzanian boxers remains important in building confidence, improving competitiveness and preparing athletes for future international assignments.

With Kutaka still in the competition, Tanzania will now look to the women’s category for a breakthrough performance and a chance to keep the national flag flying in Glasgow.

. The Court of Appeal has ended a 13-year legal battle over the bombing of a Catholic church in Arusha after upholding the conviction of six men found guilty of murder, terrorism offences and using property to facilitate terrorism.

The ruling brings to a close the case arising from the May 5, 2013 attack at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Olasiti, Arusha, which killed three worshippers and injured more than 50 others.

The attack occurred during the inauguration ceremony of the church, where hundreds of worshippers had gathered. A bomb was thrown into the crowd as the Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, Bishop Francisco Padilla, and then Archbishop of Arusha, Josephat Lebulu, were unveiling the church. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal said the High Court did not err when it convicted Abashari Omary, Yusuph Hutta, Ramadhani Waziri, Abdul Juma, Kassim Ramadhan and Japhari Lema on the charges.

A three-judge panel comprising Justices Lugano Mwandambo, Abraham Mwampashi and Lameck Mlacha delivered the judgment on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The judges said the evidence presented during the trial proved the offences beyond reasonable doubt and found no grounds to overturn the High Court decision.

However, the court overturned the conviction for conspiracy to commit terrorism, stating that under the law, the offence cannot stand where the intended terrorism act has already been committed and proven.

‘In all other respects, the appeal is dismissed, and the convictions for murder, committing acts of terrorism and using property to facilitate terrorism are upheld,’ the judgment stated.

The criminal appeal, number 93 of 2024, was filed by the six appellants challenging the High Court decision delivered on December 12, 2023, by Justice John Nkwabi in Criminal Case No. 32 of 2023.

The appellants had argued that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the High Court had not properly evaluated evidence from both sides.

They also claimed the conviction was based on inadmissible evidence and statements that had been rejected and excluded during the trial.

According to court records, 10 suspects were initially arrested and charged in 2014 following the bombing. One died before the trial began, while three others were acquitted during judgment.

The prosecution alleged that a meeting to plan the attack was held at the home of one of the accused, Ramadhani, while information about the church ceremony schedule was allegedly provided by Japhari.

The prosecution relied on witness testimony, forensic evidence, medical reports and statements from the accused to support the charges.

After hearing evidence from both sides, the High Court convicted the accused of murder, terrorism offences, using property to facilitate terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism, and sentenced them to death by hanging.

During the appeal hearing, the appellants were represented by nine advocates, while the Republic was represented by five senior state attorneys.

Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), has returned for its 11th season, bringing a new group of housemates, fresh twists and another opportunity for contestants to compete for fame, fortune and a place in pop culture history.

The new season premiered on July 26, 2026, with organisers promising a bigger experience for fans of the reality show. This year’s winner will walk away with a record Sh308.9 million (?160 million) grand prize package, including Sh193 million (?100 million) in cash and a brand-new SUV, making it the biggest prize in the show’s history.

Hosted by returning presenter Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Season 11 introduces a fresh lineup of housemates who will spend weeks living together under constant public attention while competing in tasks, nominations and evictions.

Known for creating some of Africa’s biggest entertainment personalities, BBNaija has become more than just a reality competition. Over the years, the show has served as a launchpad for musicians, actors, influencers, entrepreneurs and digital creators, with former contestants building strong careers beyond the house.

The new season comes with high expectations as fans look out for breakout personalities, unexpected friendships, rivalries and viral moments that have become part of the BBNaija experience.

Beyond the entertainment, the show continues to reflect the growing influence of African reality television, where contestants use the platform to build personal brands and connect with millions of viewers across the continent.

As the housemates begin their journey, one question remains: who will capture Africa’s attention and emerge as the next BBNaija superstar?

Tanzania will maintain all measures introduced to prevent the importation of Ebola until the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is declared over, meanwhile Uganda’s health minister declared the country Ebola-free yesterday following the latest outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic disease, which infected 20 people and claimed two lives.

Speaking to The Citizen, the Director of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Ministry of Health, Dr Erasto Odindo, said the government has intensified surveillance at key points of entry, including border posts, airports and seaports, since May following Ebola outbreaks reported in neighbouring countries.

The Ministry of Health strengthened health screening after issuing a travel advisory on May 18, 2026, informing travellers and stakeholders of enhanced surveillance measures at points of entry. The move comes as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) steps up support to the DRC, where the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak continues to strain health systems, with confirmed cases surpassing 3,000.

According to the latest Africa CDC situation report released on July 24, a total of 3,095 confirmed cases and 1,356 deaths have been recorded across the two countries since the outbreak began.

The report shows that the DRC remains the worst-affected country, recording 102 new confirmed cases, 45 deaths and 16 recoveries in the previous 24 hours. Uganda, meanwhile, reported no new cases or deaths over the same period.

Africa CDC said Uganda has completed follow-up of all previously identified contacts, signalling progress in containing transmission. However, it warned that the situation in the DRC remains critical.

The eastern province of Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for nearly 89 percent of all confirmed cases reported in the country.

Health facilities are also under increasing pressure. In North Kivu Province, treatment centres are operating beyond capacity, with bed occupancy reaching 126.9 percent, raising concerns over their ability to provide timely care for new patients.

The report also highlights challenges in disease surveillance, with contact follow-up in the DRC standing at 76.4 percent, well below the 95 percent target considered necessary to interrupt transmission effectively. Health experts say identifying, tracing and monitoring contacts remain among the most effective measures for controlling outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic diseases.

To strengthen the response, Africa CDC said efforts are focused on expanding isolation and treatment capacity, improving contact tracing, protecting frontline health workers, enhancing community engagement and ensuring safer access for emergency response teams operating in affected areas.

The agency has also expanded its technical and logistical support.

It has delivered nine GeneXpert diagnostic machines and laboratory reagents to improve testing capacity, deployed the DHIS2 outbreak response toolkit to strengthen surveillance and data management, and supported the training of more than 4,000 community health workers involved in case detection, risk communication and community mobilisation.

Africa CDC is also working closely with national authorities to strengthen cross-border coordination, citing the risk of disease transmission through cross-border population movements.

Public health experts say sustained surveillance, rapid diagnosis, community participation and adequate treatment capacity remain essential to bringing the outbreak under control, particularly in conflict-affected areas where humanitarian access is limited.

While Uganda’s recent progress offers cautious optimism, the continued rise in infections and deaths in the DRC underscores the need for sustained regional and international support to prevent further spread of the disease.

As artificial intelligence (AI), cyber threats and emerging technologies continue to reshape the global digital landscape, Tanzanian is preparing its ICT professionals to ensure the country keeps pace with rapid technological change and safeguards its digital future.

Experts say mastery of AI, cyber security, data protection and other emerging technologies will be essential if Tanzania is to realise its ambition of building a competitive digital economy under the National Development Vision 2050.

The call was made during the opening of a specialised training programme in Dar es Salaam for 110 ICT professionals drawn from both public and private institutions. The programme is being implemented through cooperation between Tanzania and the European Union, with technical support from Estonia, Germany and Finland, to strengthen the country’s capacity in cyber security, personal data protection and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Opening the training, the Director General of the Tanzania Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC), Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, said digital transformation presents enormous opportunities but also exposes governments, businesses and citizens to increasingly sophisticated cyber risks.

He said Tanzania’s growing adoption of digital technologies requires a workforce equipped with advanced digital skills to protect critical systems while supporting innovation and economic growth.

“As the country accelerates its digital transformation, building the right skills becomes critical. Digital technologies are now central to economic development, and we must ensure our professionals are prepared to respond to new challenges,” said Dr Mwasaga.

He noted that digital transformation rests on several key pillars, including digital skills, cyber security and building digital trust among citizens.

According to him, digital trust can only be achieved when internet users have confidence that their personal information is protected, privacy is respected and digital services are secure.

He said protecting consumers online, strengthening personal data protection frameworks and ensuring privacy are fundamental to increasing public confidence in digital services.

The training comes as Tanzania intensifies implementation of the National Development Vision 2050, which identifies digital transformation as one of the key drivers of future economic growth, innovation and competitiveness.

Dr Mwasaga said the government is implementing strategies to strengthen the digital economy by promoting research, innovation, entrepreneurship and wider adoption of digital technologies across sectors.

He added that the benefits of digital transformation extend beyond government institutions.

“These 110 participants represent both public and private institutions because the digital economy concerns every Tanzanian. Capacity-building initiatives like this are intended to ensure that all sectors are able to benefit from digital technologies,” he said.

The programme also addresses emerging risks associated with the misuse of AI, methods for securing digital infrastructure and best practices in protecting personal information.

An ICT officer from the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department, Mr Joseph Moshi, said the training would strengthen the protection of government records and institutional data as more public services migrate to digital platforms.

He noted that the government is also working to expand the use of AI across public institutions to improve service delivery while developing national guidelines to ensure the technology is deployed responsibly.

“As institutions increasingly adopt digital systems, they must have effective mechanisms for safeguarding information. At the same time, we are developing AI guidelines to support its safe and responsible use across government,” he said.

The European Union says the initiative forms part of broader efforts to support Tanzania’s digital transformation agenda.

The Resident Adviser for the Digital Transformation Support Project, Jani Ruuskanen, said the partnership between the EU and Tanzania is designed to accelerate progress towards the country’s long-term development goals.

“Tanzania is well positioned because of the rapid growth of digital solutions. Our project focuses on strengthening the capacity of local professionals by drawing on the expertise of specialists from European public institutions,” he said.

Ruuskanen emphasised that the partnership is based on mutual learning rather than one-way knowledge transfer.

“This is not a one-sided project. European experts also learn from Tanzania’s experiences and take those lessons back to Europe, making the partnership beneficial for both sides,” he added.

As Tanzania continues expanding digital public services, e-government systems and AI-powered solutions, experts believe investing in skilled professionals and stronger cyber resilience will be critical to protecting digital infrastructure while unlocking the full potential of the country’s digital economy.

When I was invited by this newspaper to write a tribute to our late President Benjamin William Mkapa, I demurred – for two reasons.

First, since his passing last week, most that needed to be said about him has already been said. Secondly, in describing his personality, leadership and legacy, I cannot match the precision and eloquence of those who worked with him for many years and knew him best. Nevertheless, I was convinced that sharing a personal take is worthwhile.

I turned 18 in 1992, and therefore had an opportunity to vote for the first time in 1995. In electoral politics, you either fall in love with a candidate that touches your soul or fall in line behind your party’s choice. I fell in love with ‘Candidate Mkapa’ on the day of the first, and since then, the only presidential debate to have ever taken place in Tanzania.

The election was set to be fiercely competitive; the opposition party NCCR-Mageuzi had a formidable and widely popular candidate in Augustine Lyatonga Mrema, who was sweeping the country with enviable, but scary, euphoria.

The debate was set up at the then Kilimanjaro Hotel, with four leading candidates participating. The general mood leading up to the debate was anticipatory. Mkapa, a technocrat in practice, was neither a political or CCM party fixture, nor was he known for rousing oratory, such that Mrema dubbed him ‘Bubu'(a mute). If the narrative was that Mkapa couldn’t speak, his debate performance was going to be proof of his life.

Few weeks before, the then Speaker of Parliament, Pius Msekwa, had claimed that ‘Mr. Mkapa is made of ferrous material of the highest quality and of exceptional tensile strength…during the next month or two, the opposition parties and indeed the rest of the country will learn of what metal Benjamin Mkapa is made of’.

Few days before the debate, Mr Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru, then CCM party ideology and publicity secretary, had boasted that ‘our candidate is ready to debate anywhere, at any time, and in any language – be it in English, Kiswahili or French.’ These assurances by Msekwa and Ngombale didn’t go much further in assuaging the worry that CCM supporters had about Mkapa as a campaigner.

So, on debate day, I sat alone with a borrowed radio and tuned in, almost trembling. Halfway through the debate, Cheyo was delivering flat jokes, Mrema was confused and Lipumba was meandering. And, in a booming, clear and confident voice Mkapa delivered a masterful performance which left no doubt about his vision for the country and readiness for the presidency.

While there were still many weeks of campaigning ahead, it was clear that CCM had picked a leader. Among the candidates, he may not have been a celebrity, but he was cerebral.

For me, that performance was among the first classes in my political education – in that, verbal flights, comedy and lectures are not the ways to convince the electorate that you merit their trust; that high office has to be pursued with solemnity and seriousness that it deserves, and that competence in the language of political communication is extremely important as it empowers a political leader for exact and considered expression. The debate performance introduced me not just to Mkapa’s political style but also to his personality – preparedness, earnestness, and seriousness.

Two years after he became President, I went to study abroad. While there, whenever I came across books that I thought he would like, I would pack them and send them to him through his long term personal assistant, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue.

On occasions, I would get a letter of thank-you signed by him. In my education, I have been a beneficiary of his legendary immense quiet generosity. And when I got married, he came to my wedding and gave the best of compliments.

Fast forward, I joined State House late 2005 as an aide to President Jakaya Kikwete. One of my tasks at State House was handling presidential correspondences – reading hundreds of letters that the President receives and drafting responses for his review and signature. To orient myself to this task, I went through old files – to learn how past presidents wrote their letters.

In Mkapa letters, I found tremendous lessons in courteousness, gentlemanliness and a sharp pen, which inspired me to attempt to write just a fraction as good. I recall seeing a 2003 letter in which the former President of Gabon, the late Omar Bongo, wrote to all African leaders informing them of an addition to his surname, writing that he should now be addressed as Omar Bongo ONDIMBA. The letter was simple and general, but Mkapa’s response was beautiful and personal, which spoke of his esteemed manners.

I saw an additional side of Mkapa, and learnt another lesson from him, when I traveled with him to Bloemfontein, South Africa, in January 2012 for the ANC Centenary Celebrations. I was then CCM’s Head of Political Affairs and International Relations department. He was head of our (CCM’s) delegation for the visit.

At the gala dinner, I felt our table placement was not sufficiently prominent, given Mkapa’s stature and Tanzania’s contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle. My anxiety was made worse when the Master of Ceremonies, which incidentally was Cyril Ramaphosa, back then not yet the President, forgot to recognize us. I fretted and attempted to pass a note to him on stage. Mkapa recognized my anxiety and held my hand and said, ‘relax, the most important thing is that we are here’.

Fortunately, much later, we were recognized – and Ramaphosa spoke at length about Tanzania. We felt good and proud. Through that moment, Mkapa taught me that prominence is good when it comes to you, not when you seek it.

My last engagement with Mzee Mkapa was last year, when he agreed to headline a fundraiser requested by a local church in my home district of Lushoto. It was a humble and small event, and some in our team felt that he might feel that it does not befit his stature. But he agreed because, for him, the cause, not the spotlight, was the most important thing.

To guarantee a decent attendance for the fundraiser, we requested him to write an invitation letter to people we were going to ask to donate money. He agreed but requested that we provide him with a draft of the letter. I did the draft. When his signed letters came back for distribution, I read it again. He didn’t change a word. I was as giddy as a standard 7 student who got an A on a mock exam he didn’t expect to do well.

We have lost not just a great leader but also a good, decent man who represented, to the world, the best of Tanzania. The new generation of political leaders has a lot to learn from his example. May he rest in eternal peace.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania and Visa have intensified efforts to expand secure cross-border digital payments, reporting a sharp increase in card usage as Tanzania accelerates its transition towards a cashless economy.

The two organisations said a recently concluded campaign targeting Stanbic’s Personal and Private Banking customers recorded a 113 percent increase in card transaction volumes and a 201 percent rise in transaction value. Card activation also surged, rising by 3,082 percent in transaction volume and 449 percent in value.

The campaign comes as Tanzania rolls out measures to promote digital payments across key sectors, supported by the National Financial Inclusion Framework (2023-2028), which seeks to expand access to affordable financial services.

Looking ahead, the two partners said they will continue working together to expand digital payment adoption through customer education, wider access to Visa’s global rewards and offers, and data-driven solutions designed to improve customer experience.

The initiative forms part of Stanbic Bank’s broader strategy to deliver innovative banking services while supporting Tanzania’s transition to a more digital, connected and financially inclusive economy.

More than 300,000 people have fled their homes in France and Spain as fast-moving wildfires, fuelled by extreme heat and strong winds, continue to spread across both countries, forcing mass evacuations and stretching emergency services.

Authorities warned of a “difficult night” as firefighters battled multiple blazes threatening communities near the French city of Bordeaux and areas surrounding the Spanish capital, Madrid.

France has evacuated about 220,000 people, with thousands leaving the Cap Ferret peninsula and surrounding areas as flames advanced towards Bordeaux, one of the country’s most important cities and the centre of its renowned wine region. Officials said the fire remained several kilometres from the city, but changing winds and soaring temperatures continued to pose a serious threat. In Spain, more than 75,000 residents have been evacuated, while another 30,000 have been ordered to remain indoors as firefighters tackled several major blazes. Three fires near Madrid merged into a massive wildfire, prompting the government to declare the country’s first-ever national wildfire emergency to mobilise additional resources.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the country faced “difficult hours” ahead, warning that high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds were creating dangerous conditions for firefighters and residents alike. International assistance has been deployed from several European countries to reinforce local emergency crews.

The fires come after Europe experienced three intense heatwaves in quick succession this year. Scientists say prolonged heat and drought have left forests and vegetation exceptionally dry, increasing the likelihood of large, fast-spreading wildfires.

According to European data, wildfires have already burned more land across the continent this year than the annual average recorded over the past two decades, underscoring the growing impact of climate change on Europe’s fire seasons.

Emergency authorities in both countries urged residents to follow evacuation orders, avoid affected areas and remain alert as weather conditions were expected to remain unfavourable in the coming days.

As Tanzania embarks on implementing Dira 2050, the national conversation has understandably focused on the visible foundations of development: roads, railways, ports and power. These investments remain indispensable. Yet the country’s long-term competitiveness will depend just as much on an invisible layer of infrastructure that must be continually upgraded, secured, powered and maintained.

Every mobile payment, every online business, every digital public service, every data-enabled classroom and every farmer using digital market information depends on resilient telecommunications networks. That is why telecommunications sustainability should be treated as a national development outcome, rather than simply an industry concern. Because it is an argument about the conditions required for Tanzania’s digital economy to continue growing.

Recent results from Vodacom Tanzania PLC, for the quarter ended June 2026, provide a useful illustration of what sustained investment looks like in practice. During the quarter, the company invested Sh123.2 billion in broadband expansion and modernisation of its Radio Access Network, the mobile network layer that connects phones to digital services. Over the same period, data customers increased by 16 per cent, M-Pesa customers by 15.5 per cent, smartphone customers by 23 per cent and the overall customer base grew to 28.6 million. Those figures speak to more than commercial growth; they show substantial investment translating into greater participation in the digital economy.

Financial inclusion increasingly means more than opening an account. Digital platforms are translating into daily upliftment; enabling citizens to save collectively, giving small businesses access to working capital, helping merchants digitise payments and allowing more Tanzanians to invest and build financial resilience. As evident in the report, Vodacom’s M-Koba now serves more than 1.5 million users, while SMEs account for more than half of all the about Sh1 trillion digital loans disbursed through its lending ecosystem during the quarter. Its merchant network has grown to more than 650,000 businesses processing over Sh2 trillion in transactions each month.

These are company figures, but they reflect a broader national trend that Tanzania should be energised by. Formal financial inclusion among Tanzanian adults reached 76 percent in the 2023 FinScope survey, up from 65 per cent in 2017, illustrating how digital financial services have become an increasingly important gateway into the formal economy.

National communications data point in the same direction. Tanzania now records well over 110 million active mobile subscriptions and rapidly growing data consumption, demonstrating how deeply connectivity has become embedded in commerce, education, finance and public service delivery. At the same time, smartphone adoption remains at 42.5 percent, highlighting that expanding access to digital opportunity remains unfinished business.

A country does not become digitally competitive simply because networks exist. It succeeds because those networks continue improving as demand grows. Every additional citizen using digital financial services, every school adopting online learning, every health facility digitising patient records, every entrepreneur selling products online and every farmer accessing market information places additional demands on communications infrastructure. Capacity that appears sufficient today can become a constraint tomorrow if investment fails to keep pace.

This is where telecommunications should increasingly be viewed through the same lens as transport or energy. Governments do not judge roads by whether they were once constructed. They judge them by whether they continue to support economic activity year after year. Telecommunications deserve the same perspective.

Dira 2050 recognises that Tanzania’s future prosperity will depend on digital transformation, productivity, innovation and a competitive private sector. As implementation moves forward, the question is no longer whether digital infrastructure matters. It is whether the country’s implementation and monitoring framework gives sufficient attention to the long-term sustainability of the networks on which those ambitions depend.

That creates a practical opportunity. Alongside traditional measures of infrastructure development, Tanzania should monitor indicators that reflect the long-term health of its digital foundations, including sustained network investment, expansion of broadband access, growth in smartphone adoption and the resilience of communications infrastructure that underpins digital public services and financial inclusion. Such an approach would reinforce the shared objective of government, regulators and industry: ensuring that digital infrastructure continues to evolve alongside national development priorities.

The real test of Tanzania’s digital ambition is therefore not whether the country has networks today. It is whether it has created an economic environment that allows those networks to keep improving tomorrow. The Government should enable sustainable investment conditions that can compete on a continental and global scale, drawing in capital and transforming the digital landscape. A digitally empowered Tanzania needs an invisible grid as resilient as the citizens, farmers, SMEs, students, women, youth and rural communities it serves.

If Dira 2050 is to become the blueprint for a more productive, inclusive and competitive economy, telecommunications investment should be recognised for what it has become: one of the country’s most important forms of national infrastructure – Critical Economic Infrastructure.

Before the first commuter boards a bus in Dar es Salaam, before a trader opens a market stall in Mwanza, and before a farmer checks the latest crop prices, millions of digital interactions have already taken place.

Payments have been processed, savings groups have collected contributions, businesses have placed orders, and families have exchanged money across the country. These everyday transactions rely on infrastructure that few people ever see, but almost everyone depends on.

Educating motorcycle taxi riders on safe road use and traffic compliance will help curb the rising number of fatal accidents in Dar es Salaam and across the country, experts have said.

The remarks were made over the weekend by the Tanzania Occupational Health and Safety Professionals Association (Tohasa) President, Ms Caroline Baraza, during the launch of a road safety campaign in Kinondoni District.

Dubbed ‘Be Careful, Save Lives’, the initiative seeks to promote road safety awareness and provide protective gear to bodaboda riders to reduce fatalities.

‘The goal is to educate bodaboda riders so they remain careful and respect the law,’ said Ms Baraza.

‘Statistics show many lack proper road safety knowledge. Traffic laws do not favour anyone; they are meant for everyone,’ she added.

She urged riders to peer-regulate colleagues who violate traffic regulations and highlighted that Tohasa comprises health and safety experts dedicated to supporting emergency victims.

Partnering with Tohasa, the Kinondoni Regional Traffic Officer, Mr Adrian Kamara, reminded riders to respect pedestrian crossings and avoid pavements.

‘They are legally recognised road users and must ride appropriately,’ noted Mr Kamara, adding that helmets remain mandatory.

During the launch, Tohasa distributed reflective vests and protective eyewear to enhance night visibility and shield riders from dust.

Tohasa Vice President, Mr Gerald Mrema, stressed that the drive targets reducing permanent disabilities and deaths by ensuring riders observe traffic signs, avoid carrying excess passengers, wear safety boots, and conduct daily vehicle inspections.

Welcoming the initiative, Tangi Bovu Shule neighbourhood chairman, Mr Athuman Kitunguu, commended the police and Tohasa, stating that ongoing education has fostered better cooperation between riders and law enforcement.