Category: The Citizen

‘Tragically, there have been incidents where, when a Tanzanian dies here in the UK, the body lies in the mortuary for months, in the cold, with no relatives to come and collect it,’ said Nuru Mwandoro, Secretary General for an association of Tanzanians living in the United Kingdom called Umoja Wetu.

The United Kingdom has been home to one of the largest numbers of Tanzanian diaspora in the world.

It’s been decades since some of these Tanzanians settled on the British Isles; a new generation born there has sprung up and the once-young have aged.

The world revolves, but one thing that remains is the need for these Tanzanians to unify as a community and there is no better time to show unity than during bereavement, something that other African and Asian communities of immigrants in the West have mastered so well.

Tanzanians in the UK have formed an association specifically to give an honourable and respectful funeral when one of their own dies.

Though this subject seems taboo in many African cultures, including Tanzania, it’s a reality of life that many people have come to realise the importance of setting conditions that will help their grieving family cope with their absence.

Formalised life insurance policies, wills and estate planning are a norm in the UK where these diasporans live, while in Tanzania, a funeral is approached as a communal event and families rely on a harambee-style of contribution, which is gradually changing.

‘We had our second anniversary on the 11th of July in Coventry and Umoja Wetu is really a Tanzanian community association. We decided to pull together to help each other because we had been having problems pulling in resources when a Tanzanian person died,’ said Nuru.

‘So we consolidated our resources and we now raise £10,000 for each funeral, paying our members within seven days. We hope to recruit more members and reduce the waiting period further; this will be especially valuable for our Muslim members, who bury their loved ones sooner,’ she mentioned.

‘Whether they’re burying the person here or they’re repatriating the body back home to Tanzania. And so far, we’ve had about 13 burials. Successfully, we’ve raised £10,000 for each one of them. With 4,903 members, the second anniversary was about celebrating life, more importantly, a celebration of their unity.’

Patrick Mwakalobo, a senior official from Tanzanian embassy in the UK, was the guest of honour; people danced, dined, speeches were delivered and milestones were honoured.

In the backdrop of the gala, there are still underlying challenges the Tanzanian community faces.

Some members are still hesitant to join; there have been organisations in the past that have failed and they do not want to see the repetition.

Nuru understands this so well, hence their continual communication with the diaspora.

She recently had an interview with social media sensation Bongo Zozo, a UK man married to a Tanzanian lady.

The interview helped reach and educate more potential members.

During the second anniversary, more than 400 new members joined and inactive members reactivated their accounts.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 persons of Tanzanian origin are estimated to live in the UK and Nuru is determined to have Umoja Wetu reach out to as many of them as possible; it’s about dignity and unity.

Some of the members have become more than just friends; they have become family.

The bond among Tanzanians has grown, something they didn’t visualise as a possibility just two years ago.

Umoja Wetu has representation across 12 regions with departments dedicated to discipline and Ethics, verification and even a youth department, catering to a growing young diaspora population.

The young people, unlike their elders, are mostly UK-born; their connection to their motherland has to be constantly reinforced through oral and written education.

It remains key to increase their knowledge of home.

Online Kiswahili classes have also increased.

‘We are also trying to organise some trips where they can all meet up together, know each other, because they’re living in different cities; it’s not easy to get to know each other. Next year, summer, we’ll have a football event where they can come in and merge’ she explained.

Tanzanian corporations have taken note and some have even joined in to sponsor some of their events, counting on their burgeoning population as potential clientele.

NMB Bank, Nala, UTT and many other companies have engaged with the association.

Nuru said most of the diaspora yearn to have services that are rendered to Tanzanians back home available to them as well.

‘People here want to have access to mobile money that fellow Tanzanians enjoy, because we have relatives back home; we also want to send money too,’ she mentioned.

She hopes Mobile network operators in Tanzania would work with them.

She tried to reach out to some of them and she hopes they will respond.

For now, Umoja Wetu is essentially for bereavement support, but they envision expanding beyond that in the future, with business ventures in Tanzania and community development in their communities.

‘First, we needed to establish ourselves, get to know each other and build trust. And a starting point,’ she chimed in.

They are looking at buying community centres and more; all those plans are in the pipeline.

‘Next meeting, we will take it to our members. We have to get their consent, because this is a community organisation,’ she added.

For now, eligible members to join are UK residents only.

One has to have permanent residence in the UK and be actively living there.

The need for proof of residence is key to joining.

This doesn’t eliminate diaspora members who occasionally travel back home for personal or business visits.

Solidarity is the bedrock that keeps this association operating seamlessly; that also means avoiding tense subjects that might cause division, such as politics and religion.

‘We have people with different political affiliations and religions; some members are from the Mainland and Zanzibar. We are all one family and we treat each other as such, so we prohibit topics that will cause tension; we aim to live as one family,’ she explained.

‘Since we started Umoja Wetu, I have personally gained more than 70 new relatives, friends who have become my relatives. They built relationships and came together as communities in times of need, when their fellow Tanzanian gets sick, injured, or require assistance.’

Nuru used to envy seeing how Nigerians, Kenyans and Ugandans work together as a tight-knit community, but now they have achieved that as Tanzanians.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday swore in two deputy permanent secretaries and witnessed four senior government officials take the Public Leadership Oath of Integrity, urging them to serve with integrity, cooperation and without favouritism while prioritising citizens’ interests and national development.

Speaking at State House in Tunguu, Zanzibar, President Hassan said the appointments reflected the government’s confidence in the leaders and called on them to provide quality services to Tanzanians.

“This appointment reflects the government’s trust in your abilities,” President Hassan said, urging the newly appointed leaders to remain committed to serving the public. Those sworn in were Dr Latifa Mohammed Khamis, appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs, and Ms Prisca Burton Lwangili, appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance.

The four officials who took the Public Leadership Oath of Integrity were Mr Ephraim Balozi Mafuru, Director General of TanTrade; Mr Salum Nassor Mnuna, Director General of the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura); Mr Massana Gibril Mwishawa, Commissioner for Conservation at Tanapa; and Ms Asha Dachi Mbaruk, Director General of TBC.

President Hassan directed the Vice-President’s Office to strengthen the management of Union affairs and ensure challenges affecting the Union are addressed through cooperation to safeguard and strengthen it.

On environmental conservation, President Hassan called on leaders to work together in implementing conservation programmes and addressing challenges threatening the environment and the country’s wellbeing.

“Serve the people with dedication and without favouritism,” she told the leaders, emphasising the importance of fairness and accountability in public service.

She also instructed the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance to strengthen the management of public servants by creating an environment that enables them to perform their duties efficiently.

In the transport sector, she directed authorities to accelerate the construction and supervision of strategic infrastructure projects, including railways, roads, ports and maritime transport, while assessing ways of expanding Air Tanzania’s aviation business.

She further instructed the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs to strengthen access to justice by giving more focus to legal aid campaigns so that services reach more citizens and help them secure justice in a timely manner.

The President also directed the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) to strengthen trade promotion and improve the management of trade fairs in the country.

She further instructed the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) to enhance the management and protection of national parks and tourism resources, highlighting the institution’s role in safeguarding conservation areas and supporting the growth of tourism.

President Hassan also called on the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) to strengthen its position as the government’s broadcaster and the voice of the nation by improving the quality of its content while enhancing efficiency and professionalism among its staff.

anzania’s women’s national football team, Twiga Stars, begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign today with arguably their toughest assignment, a Group B showdown against defending champions South Africa in Casablanca, Morocco.

The match will be played at Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca, kicking off at 8pm East Africa Time (EAT), which is 3pm local time in Morocco.

Twiga Stars, making their third appearance at the continental finals, head into the tournament hoping to reach the knockout stage for the first time. They have been drawn in a difficult group that also features Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with head coach Bakari Shime setting an ambitious target of reaching the semifinals and securing one of Africa’s qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Standing in Tanzania’s way are one of Africa’s most successful women’s teams. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana arrive in Morocco as reigning champions after lifting their maiden WAFCON title in 2022.

Guided by experienced coach Desiree Ellis, they boast a squad rich in continental and international experience and will be aiming to defend their crown successfully.

This year’s tournament marks South Africa’s 14th appearance at the finals. History also favours the Southern Africans. The two sides have met several times, with South Africa dominating the rivalry.

At WAFCON, they first met in the 2010 group stage when Banyana Banyana claimed a 2- 1 victory over Tanzania.

The teams met again during the 2024 edition, where Twiga Stars earned a hard fought 1-1 draw, their first ever point at the continental championship. That result remains Tanzania’s best performance against South Africa in WAFCON history.

For Twiga Stars, the spotlight will be on striker Clara Luvanga, who enjoyed a prolific club season in Saudi Arabia and is expected to spearhead Tanzania’s attack.

Coach Shime has blended experienced local players with foreign based professionals in a squad assembled to compete against Africa’s elite. South Africa, meanwhile, will rely on the core of the squad that delivered the continental title four years ago.

Ellis has expressed satisfaction with her team’s preparations, saying the players have adapted well to the Moroccan conditions after arriving from South Africa.

A merchant ship hijacked in Yemeni waters in the Gulf of Aden last week is currently being held by Somali pirates, according to local sources in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region.

The vessel, identified as the MT Asana, is a Tanzanian-flagged fuel and chemical tanker.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a resident and self-described former pirate stated that there are 20 crew members on board the tanker, including eight German and 10 Filipino nationals. A second resident in the coastal town of Caluula reported seeing pirates transporting food supplies out to the hijacked vessel.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed last week that a vessel boarded by unauthorised personnel in the Gulf of Aden had subsequently been manoeuvred into Somali territorial waters, formally classifying the incident as a hijacking.

Somali piracy caused widespread disruption off the Horn of Africa between 2008 and 2018.

Following a prolonged lull, pirate activity in the region began to resurge in late 2023.

Addressing reporters on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Tanzania’s chief government spokesperson, Mr Gerson Msigwa, stated that Tanzanian authorities are actively assessing the situation and working to verify the vessel’s links to the country.

“Our systems are tracking the situation to determine the exact connection to our country regarding the ship carrying cargo bound for Tanzania [from Yemen],’ he said.

‘We are following up, and once we have complete and accurate information, we will issue an official statement to the public,” added Mr Msigwa.

The initiative encouraged customers to use Stanbic Visa cards for international travel, online shopping, tuition payments and cross-border business transactions. It also included customer education on the security and convenience of digital payments compaThe victory highlighted Changalawe’s tactical discipline and resilience against a tough opponent, with four of the five judges scoring the contest in his favour.

He now faces another stern examination against regional rival Okaka in a contest expected to be one of the standout light heavyweight clashes of the day.

Unlike Changalawe, Okaka progressed directly to the Round of 16 after receiving a first-round bye, meaning the Kenyan will enter the ring without having fought in the opening round.

His freshness could prove an advantage, although Changalawe will hope the momentum gained from his opening victory works in his favour.

The winner will advance to the quarter-finals and move a step closer to securing a Commonwealth Games medal, making today’s encounter one of the most significant bouts of Tanzania’s boxing campaign.

While Changalawe celebrated victory, it was disappointment for fellow Tanzanian boxer Faki Issa Faki, whose Commonwealth Games journey ended after defeat to Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale.

Faki was unable to cope with Mwale’s relentless pressure, prompting the referee to stop the contest one minute and 49 seconds into the second round. The referee-stopped contest (RSC) result saw the Zambian advance while Faki bowed out of the competition.

Attention will also soon shift to Tanzania’s only female boxer at the Games, Zawadi Amos Kutaka, who faces one of the toughest assignments in the tournament.

Kutaka is scheduled to meet Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the women’s 57kg featherweight quarter-final on Wednesday, July 29, at the SEC.

Walsh is one of the most accomplished boxers in Commonwealth Games history. She arrives in Glasgow as the defending women’s 57kg featherweight champion after winning gold at Birmingham 2022.

The Northern Irish star is competing in her fourth Commonwealth Games, having previously won silver medals in 2014 and 2018 before finally claiming gold four years ago.

Her experience and pedigree make her one of the favourites to retain the title.

Despite the daunting challenge, Kutaka will be aiming to produce one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating the reigning champion and booking a place in the semi-finals.

Tanzania is represented by three boxers at the Glasgow Games, and after Faki’s elimination, the country’s immediate hopes now rest with Changalawe in the light heavyweight division before Kutaka begins her quest for Commonwealth glory later this week.

Many scholars argue that the strength of an entity is measured by what it retains, not just what it earns. This assertion underscores the importance of retained earnings (RE) to the business community.

These scholars believe that fiscal policy, particularly tax legislation, should be designed in a way that encourages entities to retain earnings, thereby supporting their long-term growth prospects.

In a bid to curb the indefinite accumulation of retained earnings, the Government introduced anti-tax avoidance measures through the Finance Act 2025, which took effect on July 1, 2025. The amendments empowered the Commissioner General (CG) of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to deem up to 30 percent of a resident entity’s undistributed profits for a period of 12 months as distributed and subsequently impose withholding tax (WHT) on the deemed distributed profits, commonly referred to as deemed dividends. These measures have become widely known as the “deeming distribution provisions”.

The deeming distribution provisions have drawn mixed reactions from tax stakeholders. Some argue that they discourage the indefinite accumulation of retained earnings and help plug revenue leakage, while others contend that they discourage businesses from retaining earnings, thereby undermining their long-term growth prospects.

In an effort to strike a balance between preventing revenue leakage and supporting business growth, the Government amended the deeming distribution provisions through the Finance Act 2026, which came into effect on July 1, 2026. The amendments reduced the deeming distribution base from 30 percent to 15 percent of undistributed profits and exempted certain resident entities from the provisions.

The exempted entities include companies listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), financial institutions as defined under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act, insurance companies, and mining companies with executed framework agreements with the Government.

The Government should be commended for adopting some of the amendments proposed by stakeholders. However, some continue to advocate for the complete repeal of the provisions, while others support a further reduction of the deeming distribution base to 10 percent of undistributed profits.

It is worth noting that the deeming distribution provisions do not apply to resident entities covered under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act, Cap 332 R.E. 2023, namely resident entities with non-resident shareholders. Some tax experts argue that the rationale for this exclusion is that such entities are already deemed to distribute their undistributed profits to their non-resident shareholders under the Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) provisions.

The CFC provisions under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act deem 100 percent of the undistributed profits of a resident entity with non-resident shareholders as distributed and impose withholding tax on those deemed dividends.

Taxpayers have strongly challenged the TRA’s interpretation of the CFC provisions, particularly regarding deemed dividend distributions. In Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (TRAT) Appeal No. 15 of 2023 between Gateway Gaming Limited and the Commissioner General (TRA), the Tribunal agreed with the taxpayers’ position, holding that the TRA’s interpretation of the deeming distribution provisions was erroneous and invalid in law. The TRA has since appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, where judgment is still pending.

Without prejudice to the pending CFC case before the Court of Appeal, and notwithstanding calls by some tax experts for the repeal of the CFC deeming provisions under Section 96(6) of the Income Tax Act, it may be necessary to align the CFC provisions with the amendments introduced by the Finance Act 2026.

For example, the CFC provisions deem 100 percent of undistributed profits as distributed, whereas the deeming distribution provisions apply to only 15 percent. In the interest of fairness and equity, it may be appropriate to reduce the CFC deeming distribution base to 15 percent so that it aligns with the deeming distribution provisions.

Furthermore, the deeming distribution provisions exempt companies listed on the DSE, insurance companies, financial institutions and mining companies with executed framework agreements. However, the CFC provisions are silent on whether these exempt entities remain subject to the CFC rules where they have non-resident shareholders.

Will these entities still fall within the scope of the CFC deeming provisions? Greater clarity is needed to avoid unnecessary disputes in future and to ensure consistency with the Government’s intention to exempt such entities from the deeming distribution provisions.

Tanzania’s national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, made a flying start to their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 campaign after defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a tightly contested Group B encounter on July 27, 2026.

The victory at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca will go down as one of Tanzania’s biggest results in women’s football, with Twiga Stars showing resilience, discipline, and determination to overcome one of Africa’s most established teams.

The two sides were meeting for the third time at the WAFCON finals and for the second consecutive tournament in the same group.

South Africa had won their first meeting, while the previous encounter ended in a draw, leaving Tanzania determined to secure maximum points this time around.

Twiga Stars started brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the 13th minute when captain Opa Tukumbuke almost capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area, but South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini reacted quickly to deny her.

Two minutes later, Banyana Banyana survived another scare when Lebohang Ramalepe’s looping back header nearly caught Dlamini off guard, forcing the goalkeeper to make a desperate recovery to prevent an own goal.

South Africa responded through their experienced attackers, with Thembi Kgatlana creating problems for Tanzania’s defense. In the 17th minute, Kgatlana’s clever pass found Hildah Magaia, whose effort went narrowly over the crossbar.

The defending champions continued to dominate possession and came close to taking the lead midway through the first half when Karabo Dhlamini unleashed a powerful long-range strike that struck the woodwork.

However, against the run of play, Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Diana Msewa. The forward showed excellent composure after beating her marker before calmly placing the ball beyond Dlamini to give Twiga Stars a crucial advantage.

South Africa pushed forward in search of an immediate response, and Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa produced a superb save in first-half stoppage time to deny Kgatlana from close range.

The pressure finally paid off moments later when Bambanani Mbane reacted quickest after another Idrisa save, heading the ball into the net to level the scores before halftime.

After the restart, South Africa continued to press for a second goal, with Refiloe Jane coming close within moments of the restart as Banyana Banyana looked to complete the comeback.

Tanzania, however, remained organised and waited for their opportunity. Their patience was rewarded in the 86th minute when substitute Hasnath Ubamba delivered the decisive moment.

Ubamba showed excellent skill to turn away from her marker before firing a low shot past Dlamini, sending the Tanzanian bench and supporters into celebration.

The late winner secured three important points for Twiga Stars and placed them in a strong position in Group B as they continue their pursuit of a place in the knockout stage.

Tanzania will next face Burkina Faso on Friday, while South Africa will aim to recover when they meet Côte d’Ivoire on the same day.

Residents of Ngunga village in Kishapu District will benefit from clean water and a new health dispensary as part of the second phase of a solar power project being implemented in the area.

The two services have been among the community’s biggest challenges for years.

The announcement was made yesterday, July 27, 2026, by Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) Managing Director Lazaro Twange during a contract-signing ceremony to mark the start of the project’s second phase.

The project, valued at Sh204.4 billion, will involve expansion of the solar power facility, construction of a water supply system and a dispensary.

‘The second phase of this project will be implemented over 17 months from now, followed by a 24-month defects liability period. The project will also provide Ngunga residents with clean water and a health dispensary,’ Mr Twange said.

Kishapu District Council Chairperson Josephat Limbe said about 300 residents benefited from the first phase of the solar power project, adding that the expanded project is expected to attract more investors, particularly in the industrial sector.

‘This project will encourage investors to establish industries in Kishapu because reliable electricity is available and generation capacity continues to increase. During the first phase, about 300 residents benefited from the project,’ he said.

Ngunga Village Chairperson Musa Masesa said the project had brought recognition to the village, which had long felt neglected, adding that residents were already benefiting from electricity.

However, he said access to clean water and healthcare services remained major challenges.

‘We ask the contractor to ensure that this second phase benefits us by providing clean water. Ngunga residents still face serious challenges in accessing water and healthcare services, and we have been promised that these will be delivered through the project,’ Mr Masesa said.

Shinyanga Regional Commissioner Mboni Mhita said the government had allocated more than Sh1.63 trillion for various development projects in the region since the sixth phase administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan came to power almost five years ago.

Speaking on behalf of Shinyanga residents, she expressed gratitude for the project, saying it would increase investment opportunities and strengthen relations between the project and surrounding communities.

Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi said electricity was the foundation of development, stressing that meaningful progress could not be achieved without reliable power supply.

He said electricity previously had to travel long distances to reach the Lake Zone, affecting reliability.

‘This is a major investment, and the government has decided to take another step by increasing the country’s energy mix. This project will ensure a reliable electricity supply, and we are still on course to achieve our target of generating 8,000 megawatts by 2030,’ Mr Ndejembi said.

The minister directed Tanesco to ensure the project was completed within the agreed timeframe and that local communities benefited during construction and after completion.

‘Tanesco must ensure this project is completed on schedule and that citizens benefit throughout the implementation period and after its completion,’ he said.

When parents arrived at a paediatric medical camp in Mugumu earlier this year, many expected nothing more than routine consultations for their children.

Instead, doctors began noticing something unexpected.

Child after child showed signs of sickle cell disease. Some parents had never heard of the condition. Others already knew their children were living with it but had struggled to maintain treatment because of the high cost of specialist consultations, laboratory tests, medication and repeated journeys to distant referral hospitals.

By the end of the day, the medical team had uncovered far more than individual cases. They had identified a pressing healthcare need that had largely gone unnoticed.

The question was no longer how many children had been diagnosed.

It was what should happen next.

That question extends far beyond a single medical camp.

Every year, Tanzania attracts millions of dollars in investment into tourism, conservation and infrastructure. These investments create jobs, stimulate local economies and draw visitors from across the world. But perhaps the most meaningful measure of investment is not what it builds.

the people who call these places home.

For communities surrounding Serengeti National Park, development should not be measured solely by visitor arrivals or financial returns. It should also be measured by whether children are healthier, whether young people have greater opportunities, whether local businesses thrive and whether communities become stronger because investment has arrived.

The discovery in Mugumu became one example of what responsible investment can achieve.

Rather than organising another one-day medical outreach, Mapito Safari Camp, with support from Delaware Investment Limited and implementation by the Give a Future Foundation, chose a different path.

In April 2026, the partners launched a structured sickle cell programme designed to provide continuous care for children from Robanda and surrounding communities.

The programme offers free screening, laboratory investigations, prescribed medication, routine clinical reviews and continuous follow-up for every enrolled child.

Each patient has an individual treatment plan supported by comprehensive medical records, while a paediatric specialist travels from Dar es Salaam every three months to review patients alongside local healthcare workers.

The programme began with four children.

Four months later, it has expanded to support 34 children, with no limit on the number of beneficiaries.

Every child diagnosed and requiring treatment is enrolled, and organisers hope to reach many more families as awareness grows.

Those figures tell only part of the story.

For families living with sickle cell disease, continuity of care is just as important as diagnosis. Knowing that medicines will remain available, appointments will continue and medical professionals will regularly monitor their children’s progress gives parents the confidence to seek treatment early and remain committed to long-term care.

Healthcare built on continuity creates something that cannot easily be measured in statistics.

It builds trust.

According to Serengeti District Medical Officer Dr Lusubilo Adam, the programme addresses one of the district’s most persistent healthcare challenges.

“Mapito is one of our conservation partners operating tourism activities within the Serengeti ecosystem. As a way of giving back to the community that welcomed them in Robanda Village, the company has invested significantly in improving local healthcare services,” he said.

He said the company’s support has gone beyond the sickle cell programme to include upgrading Robanda Health Centre through the provision of medical equipment and essential medicines, including a commitment to supply enough medicines to meet the facility’s needs for an entire year.

The partnership has also strengthened the district’s healthcare workforce.

“So far, Mapito has supported the deployment of one doctor, with plans to add two more. These investments are helping us improve access to quality healthcare for communities that have historically faced significant challenges in accessing specialised medical services,” Dr Adam said.

For many residents of Robanda and neighbouring villages, specialist healthcare has often meant travelling approximately 130 kilometres to Musoma Regional Referral Hospital or nearly 270 kilometres to Bugando Zonal Referral Hospital in Mwanza.

Although treatment at referral hospitals may sometimes be subsidised, transport, accommodation and other incidental costs often prevent patients from making the journey.

“Many patients simply cannot afford the additional costs associated with travelling for specialised care,” Dr Adam explained. “By bringing treatment closer to home, this programme removes one of the biggest barriers to healthcare.”

He noted that the initiative has brought considerable relief to families because sickle cell medication remains expensive, while enrolment in health insurance schemes is still relatively low across many rural communities.

Dr Adam believes the programme has also strengthened the relationship between conservation and surrounding communities.

Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba yesterday led more than 13,000 participants at the 2026 NBC Dodoma Marathon, praising the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) for mobilising Sh1 billion to support healthcare programs aimed at saving the lives of mothers and children across Tanzania at the Jamhuri Stadium.

The seventh edition of the marathon attracted runners from Tanzania and abroad, cementing its position as one of the country’s biggest sporting and charity events that combines athletics with social impact.

The funds raised through the event will support three key healthcare initiatives: reducing maternal and newborn deaths during childbirth, financing corrective heart surgeries for children with congenital heart conditions, and expanding bone marrow transplant services for children living with sickle cell disease. Dr Nchemba joined senior government officials, leaders from public institutions and private sector organisations in the five-kilometre fun run, using the event to encourage Tanzanians to embrace physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, the Prime Minister commended NBC for demonstrating how partnerships between the government and private sector can create meaningful social impact.

He said the growth of the marathon from 1,500 participants in 2020 to more than 13,000 registered runners in 2026 reflects Tanzania’s growing sports culture and increasing awareness of the importance of exercise. ‘The NBC Dodoma Marathon has become much more than a road race. It is now a national platform that brings together Tanzanians and international friends to support a greater cause-saving lives,’ said Dr Nchemba. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving Dodoma’s road infrastructure, saying better roads would support transportation and create safer routes for future marathon participants. Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule praised NBC for its continued investment in health, sports and community development, describing the marathon as an important economic driver for the region.

NBC Managing Director Theobald Sabi said the event represents the bank’s commitment to ensuring business growth translates into tangible benefits for communities.

He announced that Sh600 million from the funds raised would immediately be directed to three flagship health programs through leading medical institutions. During the ceremony, Dr Nchemba and Sabi presented Sh200 million cheques each to the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation for its midwives sponsorship program, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) for children’s heart surgeries, and Benjamin Mkapa Hospital to strengthen bone marrow transplant services for children with sickle cell disease. ‘These achievements reflect our commitment to ensuring that business growth goes hand in hand with improving people’s lives,’ said Sabi.

He thanked participants, sponsors and partners, including Sanlam Allianz, GSM Group, Vodacom Tanzania and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), for supporting the event. Kenya’s Edwin Koech won the men’s 42-kilometre Full Marathon after clocking 2:05:12, ahead of compatriot Vitalis Kibiwott, who finished in 2:12:18. In the women’s Full Marathon, Agnes Ngolo of Kenya emerged victorious in 2:32:36, followed by fellow Kenyan Jacinta Chepkoech, who recorded 2:33:26.

Both Full Marathon champions received Sh11.5 million, while the top 10 finishers in the men’s and women’s categories were rewarded with cash prizes.

In the men’s 21-kilometre Half Marathon, Tanzania’s Bernard Geay claimed first place after finishing in 1:02:46, followed by Kenya’s Simon Kelenzoke in 1:02:57, while Michael Geay of Tanzania took third place in 1:02:59.

Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri won the women’s Half Marathon after crossing the finish line in 1:08:59, ahead of Kenya’s Doreen Chetzop, who clocked 1:10:36. The Half Marathon champions received Sh5.5 million each, while runners-up took home Sh2.5 million.