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Dodoma. The High Court will on Friday, 10 October 2025, deliver its judgment on the fate of Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) member Luhaga Mpina, who is seeking reinstatement as the party’s presidential candidate.

The case, heard by a panel of three judges — Fredrick Manyanda (presiding), Abdallah Gonzi and Sylvester Kainda — was scheduled on Monday, 6 October, for oral submissions from lawyers representing all parties. However, when proceedings began, both sides said they had no further submissions and asked the court to proceed with its ruling.

Mpina, through his lawyers, filed a constitutional petition challenging his exclusion from the 2025 General Election presidential race, set for 29 October. The combined application, case number 24027, was filed by Mpina and the ACT-Wazalendo Board of Trustees against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General.

At the Dodoma High Court registry, Judge Manyanda said all parties had submitted the required documents and that the court would take three days to review them before delivering the judgment. He said that should any clarification be needed, lawyers would be called back; otherwise, they must wait until the ruling.

“This matter is significant and urgent as it affects the interests of many. Having received all submissions, we will review them and deliver the judgment promptly on Friday, 10 October 2025, at 2pm,” said Judge Manyanda.

He urged members of the public who wish to observe the hearing to attend in the afternoon. Outside the Court Mpina praised the media for helping publicise his case, saying without their support it would have remained largely unknown.

He also thanked ACT-Wazalendo leaders for their encouragement and for supporting his lawyers, who have worked tirelessly to uphold the law. The former Kisesa MP said he would welcome an early ruling, even as soon as the next day, so he could explain to Tanzanians why he is running for president.

“While our colleagues continue with the campaign, we are in court. Honestly, I would prefer if the decision came even tomorrow, so I could tell citizens why I am running,” he said.

ACT-Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu expressed confidence in the judiciary to act fairly and reinstate the party’s candidate, allowing voters to make their choice. She said the party will continue campaigning for parliamentary and council seats in the meantime.

Mpina and ACT-Wazalendo are represented by lawyers John Seka, Edson Kilatu, and Jasper Sabuni. The government is represented by Marck Murwambo, Vivian Method, Stanley Kalokola, and Erick Rumisha.

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Dar es Salaam. Mainland Premier League champions Young Africans (Yanga SC) have resumed training today as they prepare for their crucial CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Malawi’s Silver Strikers.

The first leg of the tie is scheduled for next week in Lilongwe, with the return fixture set for October 25 in Dar es Salaam. The aggregate winner will advance to the group stage of Africa’s most prestigious club competition–a major objective for Yanga this season.

Yanga’s preparations, however, begin without several key players who have joined their national teams for international duty. Among the absentees are Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job, Israel Mwenda, Aziz Andabwile, Ibrahim “Bacca” Abdullah, and Offen Chikola, all of whom are part of the Taifa Stars squad.

The list of internationals extends beyond Tanzania, including Pacome Zouzoua (Ivory Coast), Djigui Diarra and Lassine Kouma (Mali), Celestine Ecua (Chad), Moussa Balla Conte (Guinea), Prince Dube (Zimbabwe), and Duke Abuya (Kenya). Their absence means Yanga must rely on squad depth and tactical discipline to maintain sharpness during this critical period.

Despite missing several regular starters, head coach Romain Folz is expected to use this break strategically to refine tactics, evaluate squad options, and give playing time to fringe players. The French tactician remains confident that returning internationals will reintegrate quickly and regain match rhythm before the Silver Strikers clash.

Yanga enter this phase of the season determined to make a significant mark in the Champions League. The club’s management has emphasized the importance of this campaign, viewing it as an opportunity to cement Yanga’s status among Africa’s elite football clubs.

Success in this tournament is seen not only as a sporting achievement but also as a boost for the club’s prestige on the continent. The tie against Silver Strikers, Malawi’s reigning champions, is expected to be a stern test.

The Malawian side is known for its high-tempo, attacking style of play and will rely heavily on home support in Lilongwe. Despite these challenges, Yanga’s experience in continental competitions, tactical awareness, and squad depth provide a strong foundation to secure a favorable result on the road before finishing the job at home in Dar es Salaam.

As Yanga regroup and refocus, the team’s preparations during this international break are crucial. Maintaining fitness, cohesion, and tactical clarity during the absence of key internationals will be vital to ensure they are fully ready for the two-legged tie.

Fans and management alike are watching closely, hoping the reigning Tanzanian champions can take the next step in their continental journey. With determination, preparation, and a squad capable of rising to the challenge, Yanga aim to advance to the CAF Champions League group stage, a milestone that would reinforce their ambition to be recognized as one of Africa’s top football clubs.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, is set to represent the country at the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 15, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Kenya.

The high-profile tournament, part of the Sunshine Development Tour, will bring together elite golfers from across the region for three days of intense competition and camaraderie. Registration for the event opened on September 22 and will close on October 6, with players expected to register via golfplus.

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The East Africa Swing serves as one of the most important stages in the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, offering golfers from the region an opportunity to gain ranking points, refine their skills, and compete on a professional platform that feeds into the Sunshine Tour, one of Africa’s leading golf circuits. Madina Idd, who has established herself as Tanzania’s most consistent female golfer, said she is excited about the opportunity to compete alongside the region’s best players.

“It’s always an honor to represent Tanzania in international tournaments,” she said. “Events like the East Africa Swing help us test our game against top players while also strengthening regional golf ties.

I’m looking forward to giving my best performance in Nairobi.” Madina has been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s golf in Tanzania through her outstanding performances at various tournaments, including the Tanzania Ladies Open, the Geita Open, and the EAC Ladies Challenge Trophy.

Her participation in the Sunshine Development Tour underscores the growing recognition of Tanzanian golfers on the continental stage. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of the oldest and most scenic courses in East Africa, will host the event.

Known for its lush fairways and challenging layout, the course promises an exciting contest as top male and female professionals vie for honors and ranking points. .

Nairobi. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called on African nations to accelerate technological transformation in agriculture and integrate indigenous knowledge systems as part of efforts to attract more young people to the sector.

Speaking at the closing session of the Post-COP African Youth Workshop on customary tenure rights and agroecology, FAO team lead for land governance and social inclusion, Husna Mbarak, said agricultural mechanisation could shift the long-standing perception of farming from a “dirty job for the old” to an appealing and profitable career for Africa’s youth. “New technology will empower young people to do more than they ever expect, because it changes the notion that agriculture is outdated or unattractive,” she noted.

According to FAO, more than 400 million Africans aged between 15 and 35 constitute over 75 percent of the continent’s population, a figure projected to double by 2050. The agency stressed that engaging this demographic in productive and sustainable agriculture was crucial to achieving food security and economic resilience. However, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) reports that climate change has already reduced crop yields by about 34 percent, leaving millions of smallholder farmers struggling to adapt.

Despite the majority of young Africans residing in rural areas, many lack access to secure land tenure, affordable credit, or modern agricultural technologies — constraints that continue to drive ruralurban migration. Participants at the workshop observed that youth are well-positioned to champion agroecology — a holistic approach to farming that safeguards biodiversity, promotes soil health, and minimises environmental degradation.

Founder of the Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA), Innocent Antoine Houedji, said the future of African agriculture depends on combining technological innovation with a renewed respect for traditional ecological wisdom. “Technology without environmental consciousness is short-sighted,” he remarked, adding that agroecology offers a pathway that harmonises productivity with sustainability.

Delegates also raised concerns over the persistent marginalisation of indigenous knowledge systems in climate and biodiversity governance frameworks. They cautioned against investment models that prioritise industrial agriculture at the expense of ecosystems and local communities — a practice they said contradicts the spirit of the African Climate Summit 2025 Declaration on Agroecology.

Executive Director of RECONCILE, Ken Otieno, urged policymakers to ensure that young people are meaningfully involved in decision-making on land governance and climate adaptation. Studies show that fewer than 10 percent of rural youth in Africa own land, largely due to restrictive customary tenure systems and weak enforcement of land rights legislation.

Laureen Ongesa, co-chair of the Youth and Land Multi-Stakeholder Platform in Africa (YLMPA), called on governments to implement youth-sensitive land policies that support agroecology, pastoralism, and sustainable land use planning. She said empowering young people with access to land, finance, and knowledge is key to transforming agriculture into a driver of inclusive growth.

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Dar es Salaam. Emerging female leaders across Africa have been urged to take courageous steps that translate into tangible change in their leadership journeys.

Speaking at the official opening of the 5th Women’s Leadership Forum in Dar es Salaam, organised by the Uongozi Institute, Tanzania’s Ministry for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Permanent Secretary, Dr John Jingu, stressed that leadership is about moving beyond learning to creating real-world influence and transformation. Delegates at the forum came from a range of African countries including Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Gambia, Zambia, Nigeria, Liberia and Tanzania.

“Don’t just sit and take notes,” Dr Jingu told participants. “Find someone who inspires you.

Lift others up. Share your vision.

Most importantly, take one action. Break one barrier.

Build one bridge for someone else.” He highlighted the forum’s role as a leading platform promoting women’s leadership across public service, business, academia, and civil society.

This year’s theme, “The Contribution of Women Leadership in Africa,” is rooted in the African humanist philosophy of Ubuntu ‘I am because we are.’ Dr Jingu said impactful leadership goes beyond personal achievement, urging women to make room for others, reshape systems, and lead with compassion and collaboration.

He cited President Samia Suluhu Hassan as an exemplary transformative female leader. He also noted persistent challenges including unconscious bias, the dual burden of work and home responsibilities, and confidence gaps that many women face.

“This forum isn’t just a celebration. It is a space for honest dialogue, growth, and collective empowerment,” he added.

Uongozi Institute CEO Kadari Singo launched a new Women in Leadership Program designed to boost women’s presence in senior political, business, and economic roles. Participants were selected competitively and have already completed the first phase of training.

Sing highlighted that women currently occupy only 22 percent of parliamentary seats and 21 percent of ministerial positions, mostly in social sectors, warning that at this pace gender equality could take more than a century. The European Union Officer, Alessandro Pisani, described the forum as a milestone in advancing gender equality, while UN Women’s Representative in Tanzania, Katherine Gifford, called the initiative a “development necessity,” emphasising long-term support for women in decision-making roles.

Finland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Theresa Sitting, noted that entrenched social expectations, including early caregiving roles, often hinder women’s leadership. “Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about self-awareness and resilience.

We must embrace failure, rise again, and keep going,” she said. .

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian Police say they are investigating claims that former Ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, has been abducted, while stressing that he is yet to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Polepole had earlier been summoned to the DCI to provide explanations over allegations he made on social media. However, recent posts on social media, reportedly from one of his relatives, claim he has been kidnapped.

In a statement on Monday, 6 October 2025, Police Spokesperson said Polepole had been legally required to appear before the DCI for questioning, but has not complied. “Humphrey Polepole was served with a legal notice under the country’s laws to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to provide explanations regarding various allegations he made on social media, but to date he has not complied,” the statement read.

The police added that preliminary investigations are ongoing to verify the social media reports. “We have begun examining these claims to establish the truth,” they said.

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Arusha. The High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, has sentenced Cosmas Msumari to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering his elder brother, Lucas Msumari, by striking him on the head with a hammer.

The incident occurred on April 6, 2023, at Togo Street in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, where the two brothers shared a single rented room and worked in the same office but in different departments. Delivering judgment on September 30, 2025, Judge David Ngunyale said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting the accused of murder contrary to sections 196 and 197 of the Penal Code.

One of the key pieces of evidence was the accused’s caution statement, in which he admitted committing the crime. He also led police to where he had hidden the hammer and to the shop where he had purchased it.

Court records show that on the day of the incident, Lucas failed to report to work, prompting concern from his colleagues. Their sister, Lucia Msumari, was informed and, upon arriving at the brothers’ home, found a crowd gathered and discovered Lucas’s body lying in a pool of blood.

Lucia testified that the brothers had been living together, but after the incident, Cosmas disappeared and was only arrested after the burial. Police officer D9688 Haji Ramadhan, who arrested the suspect, said Cosmas confessed to the crime and led investigators to the hidden hammer.

A hardware shop owner confirmed selling him the weapon for Sh14,000. In his defence, Cosmas denied the charge, claiming he lived elsewhere and that police coerced him into signing a statement he did not understand. Judge Ngunyale said although no one witnessed the crime directly, circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.

The prosecution proved the accused lived with the deceased, bought the hammer, and was present at the scene. “The evidence clearly shows that the accused prepared to commit the offence by purchasing the hammer and was present at the crime scene,” said Judge Ngunyale before sentencing him to death by hanging.

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Nairobi. Non-tariff barriers, corruption, illicit financial flows, shrinking civic space, the widening digital divide, and fragile peace and security have been identified as among the East African Community’s (EAC) most pressing challenges.

These issues took centre stage at the 2025 East African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Summit, convened in Nairobi under the theme Harnessing EAC Citizens’ Potential and Participation in Regional Integration Processes. The three-day meeting attracted more than 200 civil society leaders, government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and academics from all eight EAC Partner States, including the recently admitted Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Opening the summit, the Executive Director of the East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum (EACSOF), Ms Lilian Alex, said non-tariff barriers (NTBs) remain one of the main impediments to the EAC’s goal of creating a seamless regional market. She noted that such barriers increase the cost of doing business, frustrate cross-border trade, and particularly disadvantage small and informal traders who lack the capacity to navigate complex border requirements.

“Corruption and illicit financial flows continue to drain national resources, denying citizens access to quality health, education, and infrastructure,” Ms Alex said. “These challenges weaken public trust in institutions and threaten the EAC’s vision of equitable growth.

” She further decried the shrinking civic space across the region, citing increasing incidents of intimidation of journalists, harassment of human rights defenders, and restrictions on election observers. In some cases, she noted, civic actors have been subjected to cross-border surveillance and abductions, eroding confidence in the region’s human rights commitments.

On the technological front, Ms Alex warned that the digital divide remains a persistent challenge, particularly in rural and marginalised areas. She attributed this to weak telecommunications infrastructure, limited broadband access, and uncoordinated digital governance across member states.

“The inability of many citizens to participate in the digital economy is widening socio-economic disparities and limiting civic participation,” she observed. Peace and security also featured prominently in the discussions, with delegates highlighting ongoing tensions and sporadic violence in several border zones.

Participants called for the acceleration of cross-border cooperation frameworks and the operationalisation of early warning systems to prevent conflicts. The summit raised fresh concerns over the extractive sector, where affected communities continue to face displacement, environmental harm, and unmet promises regarding benefit sharing.

Delegates urged partner states to enhance transparency in resource governance and adopt regional standards to safeguard local communities. Gender and social inclusion were also central to the deliberations.

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Zanzibar. When Othman Masoud Othman (OMO) was appointed Zanzibar’s First Vice President, the moment carried deep symbolism.

He was stepping into the shoes of the late political giant Seif Sharif Hamad, a man revered as a pillar of the Isles’ opposition politics and a tireless advocate of democratic ideals. Yet with that honour came an equally heavy burden — the challenge of living up to Seif’s formidable legacy.

OMO, now the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) presidential candidate for Zanzibar, becomes only the second opposition figure to wield comparable political influence in the Isles since the reintroduction of multiparty politics on July 1, 1992. From the historic multiparty election of 1995 through every subsequent poll, Seif dominated Zanzibar’s opposition politics. He embodied the hopes of many who longed for democratic governance, often claiming victory in elections that were later marred by disputes.

His death on February 17, 2021, while serving as First Vice President, created a vacuum that ACT-Wazalendo sought to fill by naming Othman Masoud as his successor. Now, as the 2025 General Election approaches, ACT-Wazalendo has once again placed its confidence in OMO, believing he can lead the party into a new era.

OMO’s political journey began with the belief that he could shoulder the immense expectations that came with succeeding Seif. The comparison itself is both a compliment and a test.

Seif was more than a political leader — he was an institution, commanding respect even among his opponents. For many Zanzibaris, being considered capable of stepping into Seif’s role represents an extraordinary vote of confidence.

Throughout his four years as First Vice President, OMO has worked to define his own political identity. Rather than imitate Seif, he has sought to build upon his mentor’s legacy by focusing on unity, good governance, and the rule of law.

At the same time, he has never shied away from comparisons with the late leader, often expressing admiration for Seif’s moral courage and political consistency. Born on February 7, 1963, in Pandani Village, Wete District, North Pemba Region, OMO attended Pandani Primary School and later pursued secondary education at Fidel Castro Secondary School in Chake Chake, South Pemba.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Master’s in Law (LLM) from the University of London, and another law degree from the University of Turin, Italy, specialising in intellectual property law. OMO’s career in public service began in 1989 when he joined the Zanzibar government as a state attorney.

Over the years, he held several key positions, including Deputy Attorney General, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Chief Minister, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Good Governance. In 2002, he became Zanzibar’s first Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), serving in that role for nine years before being appointed Attorney General in 2011 by President Ali Mohamed Shein.

He was relieved of his duties in 2014 after publicly differing with the government on matters related to the Union structure. As he now seeks the presidency, OMO’s campaign is anchored in a message of reform, accountability, and renewed national purpose.

He pledges to restore democratic integrity in Zanzibar by ensuring free and fair elections, a new constitution, and the establishment of an independent electoral commission. Married to Zainab Shaib Kombo and a father of eight, OMO presents himself as a unifier who wants to heal political divisions and advance economic growth through prudent management of public resources.

“I want to return Zanzibar to its rightful owners — the people,” he says, promising to strengthen democracy, combat corruption, and ensure that leadership reflects the will of the electorate. If elected, OMO vows to build on his experience as a seasoned lawyer and reform-minded leader to deliver a modern, prosperous, and just Zanzibar — one that honours Maalim Seif’s enduring dream of a fair and democratic society.

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Dar es Salaam. Experts have said Tanzania is on the cusp of becoming East Africa’s industrial leader, with reliable energy supply emerging as its greatest advantage.

Backed by surplus power generation, vast natural gas reserves, and bold policy commitments, they say, the country is laying the groundwork for a manufacturing-driven economy that could outpace its regional peers. The experts were speaking to The Citizen at different occasions about Tanzania’s position to become an industrial leader in East Africa.

The debate stemmed from a recent “hot” discussion on the country’s Dira 2050 at a recent forum hosted under the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). They said energy has long been a stumbling block in Africa’s industrialisation drive.

Across the continent, factories sit idle during blackouts, investors pull back from projects due to power insecurity, and governments struggle to maintain growth momentum without affordable electricity. Tanzania, however, the economists say is well positioned to break this cycle by turning its energy wealth into a lever for industrial expansion.

“Energy infrastructure is often referred to as the first domino in the chain of industrialisation because it sets everything else in motion,” said Head of Client Coverage, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Mr Elias Ngunangwa. According to him, Tanzania’s emerging surplus in electricity production is changing the game.

“Once that domino falls into place, it unlocks progress in manufacturing, job creation, and inclusive growth. Tanzania is on the path to becoming East Africa’s leader in manufacturing precisely because we are solving the energy equation.

” A sector at the core of Dira 2050 The National Energy Policy of 2015 and the broader Dira 2050 blueprint place energy at the centre of Tanzania’s economic transformation. The government aims to increase power generation to at least 10,000MW by 2040, compared to today’s installed capacity of around 2,400MW, with projects such as the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) contributing 2,115MW alone.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has repeatedly emphasised that “energy is the foundation of industrialisation,” noting earlier this year that Tanzania’s surplus would not only meet domestic demand but also turn the country into “a reliable energy exporter in the region.” This vision aligns with the government’s industrialisation agenda, which pushes for more goods consumed in Tanzania to be produced locally, reducing dependency on imports while creating jobs.

While hydroelectric power remains dominant, droughts have exposed its vulnerabilities. To address this, the government is diversifying through natural gas and renewables.

“Tanzania is blessed with abundant natural gas reserves, including Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay. Gas already fuels major industries in Dar es Salaam and beyond,” noted Ngunangwa.

He described gas as “a critical bridge” that sustains industrialisation while the country scales up renewable projects such as solar and wind. Figures from the Ministry of Energy show that Tanzania has over 57 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, positioning it as one of Africa’s strongest players in energy-driven industrialisation.

Beyond resources, energy infrastructure requires heavy financing. Here, financial institutions like Stanbic Bank have been instrumental.

“It goes beyond traditional lending,” Ngunangwa explained. “We provide tailor-made solutions for energy infrastructure, including green bonds and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

These innovative models are helping to mobilise capital for critical projects like transmission lines.” His views are echoed by Executive Director of Tanzania’s Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), Mr David Kafulila, who noted: “The government cannot rely solely on borrowing or taxes.

PPPs provide technical expertise and capital that accelerate the rollout of infrastructure crucial for industrialisation.” Regional competitiveness Energy ambitions are not confined to Tanzania’s borders.

The country is part of the East African Power Pool and already exports electricity and gas during shortages in neighbouring countries. “Becoming a net exporter of energy will boost Tanzania’s economic influence,” said an independent energy analyst, Ms Happiness Mshana.

“It enhances regional competitiveness by attracting industries that want to operate in a reliable and cost-effective power environment.” She added that with regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Tanzania’s energy strength could underpin broader manufacturing trade across East Africa.

For sectors like cement, steel, glass, and textiles, among the most energy-intensive, Tanzania’s surplus is more than just numbers on a grid. It is a guarantee of stability, a magnet for foreign direct investment, and a driver of local job creation.

“Manufacturing growth follows energy security,” argued an economist at Mzumbe University, Johnson Mboya. “When Tanzania completes the Julius Nyerere project and scales up renewables, it will gain an edge over regional peers like Kenya and Uganda, where energy costs remain a major barrier to industrial growth.

” For Ngunangwa, energy is Tanzania’s ace card. “With infrastructure in place, diversified sources, and regional collaboration, Tanzania is not just preparing for industrialisation, it is positioning to lead it.

” This is a vision strongly tied to Dira 2050, which paints a future where Tanzania is a middle-income country powered by strong industries, advanced infrastructure, and inclusive growth. .