Tags: News

Meet a Tanzanian Youngest Chief

- Monday, 9 March 2015 No Comments

Chief Adam Abdul exchanges a few words with President Jakaya Kikwete      

Meeting him for the first time, he looks like any other 14 year old boy who enjoys playing games on the laptop, riding his bicycle and enjoys playing basketball when he is not doing his homework or helping out in their family shop.

Until last month, he was known to many as Adam Abdul, the only son of the late Chief Abdul Adam Sapi Mkwawa, who died in February 2015.

But today people in his town particularly his Hehe tribe in Southern Highlands know him as Chief Adam, one of the youngest in the Mkwawa line to be vested with the title; Chief.

Chief Adam is the sixth individual to be recognized as Chief, his late father was fifth in line. He is however the youngest person to hold such authority – becoming a leader to millions of Hehes who occupy the Iringa region of southern Tanzania, one of the few remaining kingdoms that portray the images of pre-colonial Africa.

Chief Adam, whose full name is Adam Abdul Adam Sapi Mkwawa or Mfwime II, lives with his family in a family home located along Samora area in a busy Iringa town, a place where his late father, Chief Abdul Adam Sapi Mkwawa spent most of his time. Chief Adam studies at Highland primary school, a private school in Iringa town.

His birth

Born in 2001, Adam’s birth according to his mother, Shamra Abdul was a lucky one to their family because it was something that wasn’t planned.

According to Shamra, being blessed with four children, all of them being girls prompted her and her husband to call it quits. So when she was pregnant with Adam, and later conceived, it was a surprising blessing.

“After giving birth to the first and second child, both being girls, my mother-in-law suggested that I take some medicine which would help me conceive boys stating that genetically I have the ability to conceive mostly girls,” says the mother.

A desperate Shamra agreed to take some medicine, but that didn’t change anything because her third and fourth children she later gave birth to were both girls.

“I thanked God for the children he had already blessed us with and we considered and we decided not to have more children, but God had other plans for us because in 2001 Adam was born.

I must admit that I had a difficult pregnancy to the point that I was told that I was going to have to give birth through C-section.

Tags: News / World

A-levels: Charity-minded Newport students celebrate stellar results

- Saturday, 16 August 2014 No Comments

Claire Wyatt, 18, from Wendens Ambo with teacher Abby Burt. The pair have just returned from Tanzania after visiting an orphanage there as part of head girl Claire's charity work.

Deputy head girl at Newport Free Grammar School, Keely Edwards, from Clavering, is going to study geophysics at Durham University after an impressive set of A-levels.

Newport Free Grammar School student Claire Wyatt, 18, from Wendens Ambo, got two Bs and a C to earn herself a place at Loughborough University this September.

But rather than spend the past couple of months agonising over the outcome of her exams, Claire has been supporting her cousin’s charity by volunteering in Africa.

She told the Reporter: “I’ve just got back from working in an orphanage in Tanzania – it was an amazing experience. I’ve been there before and taken out things like shoes, nappies, clothes and heart monitors – because a couple of the babies have heart conditions.”

As the head girl at Newport, Claire asked if she could raise money to help youngsters at the orphanage as part of her charity endeavours.

Jack got A*, A and B in his A-levels.

Her cousin’s charity – The Small Things – was launched to improve the lives of children there and during her time as head girl Claire and the school raised £3,000.

“I first went two years ago and returned this month to see how the kids had grown up. I went with Miss Burt [a teacher] because I want the school to continue supporting the charity. It relies so much on that and I’m glad the school has agreed.”

A keen hockey player, who has had national and regional trials, Claire is hoping to sharpen her skills on the field at an institution famed for its sporting prowess.

“It’s the best uni for hockey – I’m looking forward to it,” said Claire, who is studying criminology and social policy and has aspirations of joining the police force.

The 18-year-old was not the only one who has devoted time for charity.

Deputy head girl Keely Clavering, 18, from Clavering has been volunteering at a disabled children’s club, CHIPS (Children’s Integrated Playscheme) in Bishop’s Stortford, since she was 13. The teenager is now hoping to realise her childhood ambition of becoming an geophysicist for an oil company, having got an A* and two As.

Keely, who will be studying Geophysics and geology at Durham University, said: “It’s a weird job for a girl to want to do but ever since I was little I enjoyed watching natural disaster programmes and things about the way the Earth works.

“I’ve researched what the job involves and it’s exactly what I’d like to do as a career.”

Speaking about her time at Newport, she said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Going from Year 7 all the way through to sixth form, you get to know the teachers who help you through your studies, and go the extra mile for you. It has been great.”

Other students celebrating were Jack Craig, 18, from Duton Hill, who is going on to do creative music technology at the University of Hull after achieving an A*, A and B, and Louise Baker, who is looking to study medicine after getting three A*s and an A.

Nineteen-year-old Devon Oakley, of Kemp Road, Finchingfield, also produced a stellar set of results. She had a complete re-think about the subjects she wanted to study after struggling at AS-level.

“Originally I wanted to study medicine, but now I’d like to teach English abroad,” she said. “I like travelling and want to help as many people as I can. I went with the school to Geneva last December to the United Nations Conference and we heard about what they do.

“It inspired me to get a degree so that I can go and help people around the world who don’t have the chance to get an education.”

Devon, who got three As and a B at A-level, is now looking forward to taking up her place at Edinburgh.

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Tags: News

'Better land use programme will end conflicts in Lindi'

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Lindi

A government supported ‘better land use programme’ designed to end land disputes and increase agricultural productivity in Lindi Region is reported to bear good fruits.

 

Launched in Liwale District back in 2006, authorities say the District Agricultural Development Programmes (DADPs) is increasingly gaining popularity in the region.

 

“Over 350 households in Liwale District are now practicing livestock keeping in favour of other economic activities,” the Liwale District Livestock and Fisheries Officer, Benard Kivamba.

 

Speaking to the press at the just-ended national agricultural festival held on Ngongo grounds in the region, the officer said the progress made so far is promising.

 

The officer described it as a positive development and associated it directly to government initiatives to increase agricultural based activities in the region.

 

“We have worked hard to achieve this…investments have been heavy, we have supplied interested parties with livestock and other resources to kick start their animal husbandry practice and now it is paying off,” Kivamba said.

 

 “We wanted to ensure that the activity gains momentum in the district and now I can assure you that Liwale is one of the leading districts keeping livestock in the southern zone,” he added.

 

He went on to explain that, traditionally, residents in the region were livestock keepers but given the readily available resources for the practice, including pasture and water supply, the government found it a viable location to invest in agriculture.

 

“Readiness of residents to engage in livestock keeping was also among the defining factors that made it feasible to launch the initiative in the district,” the District Livestock and Fisheries Officer detailed.

Under the programme, every village in the district has an area set aside for grazing livestock   and   for   crop farming.

 

“The clear demarcations and use of modernised production methods have greatly reduced land based disputes,” he said.

 

 “We thank the government for providing us with free cows and goats when they were starting the programme and making veterinary services available,” they said.

 

Commenting, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Juma Bulali, expressed gratitude to the government for their support through the initiative.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News / World

Nigeria: Hosea-Abana - 'Some Parents Are No Longer in Chibok'

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Photo: Victor Ndula/RNW

Nigeria on the search for the Chibok schoolgirls

INTERVIEW

Four months ago Boko Haram fighters kidnapped more than 200 girls from a school in the village of Chibok, focusing international attention on northern Nigeria's five year insurgency.

In the meantime the media spotlight has moved elsewhere, but the girls are still missing.DW spoke to an activist in Abuja still campaigning vigorously for their release, Tsambido Hosea-Abana.

DW: What sort of state is the BringBackOurGirls campaign in?

Tsambido Hosea-Abana: The campaign is still there - and is graduating to a higher movement - now they are increasing other activities, distributing flyers and stickers. They have said they will never sit back until these girls are found.

But it has been four months now and there's still been no word of the Chibok girls. Are people still motivated?

No one expected it would take so long. We have to remind people that these girls are still there and nobody is talking about them. We have to go and talk about them! Also, some of the media have packed their things. Many media, both national and international, they are no longer coming, but we are going to visit them and invite them so that we keep on talking about these girls, so that the Ebola issue does not overpower their interests.

So not so many people are focused on the story. How is this affecting the campaign in Abuja?

It's affected the campaign because we need attention to gear us up but when there's no attention, people feel demoralized. People feel as if what they're doing is not important. But even from the beginning some people were not giving us attention. But even if there is less attention, we say we will continue.

After meeting parents of the girls last month, President Goodluck Jonathan promised he would do everything in his power to free the girls. How are those parents coping now?

Some are no longer in Chibok. Some have left to go somewhere else as a refuge because Chibok has been attacked and there is a rumour of more attacks on surrounding villages. People are fearing that the next community they will attack will again be Chibok. So many people have run away from Chibok now. And even some of the parents of the girls in the bush have died. Just three days ago, one father died because his house was burnt and he ran away to Maiduguri to find refuge but there he couldn't cope and he died. There are many victims; things are very bad in Chibok.

Tsambido Hosea-Abana is the chairman of the Chibok Association in Abuja, and a leading campaigner in the BringBackOurGirls movement.

Tags: News

Revealed: Why terror groups target Arusha

- Wednesday, 9 July 2014 No Comments

Arusha. The heart of Tanzania’s tourism industry was hit again on Monday, leaving eight people wounded—one seriously—in a bomb blast in a restaurant.  This raises two burning questions:  Why Arusha and who is behind these attacks?

It all started on May 5, last year, when a church congregation was bombed. Three worshippers died on the spot and scores were injured, some critically. The attack shocked the residents of the city and beyond and Tanzanians waited anxiously to see what the authorities were doing to catch the culprits.

 Arusha Regional Commissioner Magesa Mulongo described the incident as a terrorist attack and first reports suggested it was carried out by foreigners or hired locals.

 The dust had not settled when, slightly over a month later (June 15), a Chadema political rally ahead of the civic polls was bombed. Four people died and several were injured. No arrests have been made in connection with the grenade attack at the climax of the month-long election campaign at Soweto grounds.

When the opposition public rally was hit by deadly bomb blasts in 2013, politics overshadowed reality as both Chadema and the ruling CCM traded accusations.

Three people were killed and 60 wounded in June 2013 in Arusha when a grenade was hurled into a Chadema political rally.

Some Chadema leaders claimed they had video footage of the bombers.  In a swift response, though, the ruling party’s outspoken leaders claimed the opposition imported the bombs from China.

It was typical politics and politicking at the heart of a crucial issue—national security. A month earlier, 30 people were wounded when an improvised bomb exploded in a Catholic church in Arusha.

The church was bombed again in May last year but, this time, the accusations did not target opposition parties directly. But it was the attack at Olasiti Catholic church, which was to be inaugurated that day, that had many worried. More lives would have been lost had the blast gone off inside the church building.

 It remains unclear whether the Papal Nuncio Francisco Padilla, who was to grace the church opening, was the main target. But he and other officials were unhurt.

For weeks after, Christians in Arusha were worried about safety in  their prayer houses after the May 5 incident.

 The entire government—led by President Jakaya Kikwete, Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal and Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda—trooped to Arusha to assure the people that efforts were being made to nab the culprits or that a thorough investigation was underway to identify and bring to book those behind the assault on the church. Even more important was to assure Arusha residents of their security wherever they were.

There were numerous arrests, including that of some Arabs, along with a motorbike rider who was hired by the man who detonated the bombs. He was charged and the story is now history. No any major arrests followed.

Then came a series of deadly attacks, this time not targeting a public rally or a church but just a pub where men and women gathered  to drink beer, wine and cheap whisky. As usual, no arrest to speak of was made.

Significantly, the Kaloleni or Soweto grounds attack fuelled the antagonism between the government and Chadema and other opposition politicians. The latter had accused police of complicity and the law enforcers denied it vigorously.

 While ordinary residents of Arusha worried about their security in crowded areas following the two fatal attacks, the tourism industry was greatly perturbed by the situation.

 Stakeholders worried that the multi-million dollar industry would nose-dive should the attacks continue and that the news would spread like wild fire all over the world. Others went to the extent of accusing the government of not doing much to “protect” Arusha from the bombers who were out destroy tourism—one of the country’s economic pillars. 

 Come April 13, this year, scores of weekend revellers jammed Arusha Night Park, a popular watering hole.

 Many of them were watching the English Premier League matches at around 7.30pm when a blast went off, injuring 14 people. One of them died later in the hospital. Once again, the regional commissioner arrived promptly at the scene and said the blast came from a home-made bomb.

 The proprietor, Mr Joseph Karugendo, said he had no idea the motive behind the attack and pleaded with the authorities to help track down the culprits. Witnesses said the explosive may have been placed inside the crowded bar by a pretend customer who then left.  

Several people have been charged with the April attack at the bar, famous during the day for delicious meals and at night for drinks.  Some of the 16 suspects have been charged with the actual bombing while others have been charged with recruiting people to join or work at the behest of terror groups such as Al Qaeda.

 On July 3—just last week—Arusha witnessed another grenade attack when an explosive was hurled at the home of an Islamic preacher, injuring him and another person. On Monday came another deadly attack on another pub. This time around, police claimed to have arrested two suspects. No terror group has claimed responsibility in any of these attacks. Two major questions arise:  Why Arusha now and who is responsible?

In recent weeks, the UN warned that Al-Shabaab was planning major attacks in East Africa using local recruits in its bid to become a regional terror group rather than just a Somalia-based organisation.

But, the country’s top crime boss, Mr Isaiag Mngulu, says Arusha and Zanzibar are the main targets because the two towns are the favourite destinations of the Western tourists.

Arusha has been hit by bombs eight times in the past few months. Mr Mngulu says the Monday attack, at an upmarket Indian restaurant in the centre of the town that is popular with foreigners and wealthy Tanzanians, involved improvised explosive devices thrown through a window. Three women and five men were injured and one of the men had his leg amputated.

 What made last Monday’s attack different was that some of the injured were foreigners.  The restaurant attacked and the larger Gymkhana Club are frequented by foreigners, diplomats, international workers, the elite, business people, consultants and employees of international and regional organisations based here.  A media consultant based in Arusha has repeatedly warned that terrorists could be behind a string of attacks and that Arusha was targeted because it was an important economic zone for the country. The eye witness told The Citizen that the floor of the restaurant was covered in blood, with overturned chairs amid broken glass.

SOURCE: THE CITIZEN

Tags: News

TBS to open more offices countrywide

- Thursday, 3 July 2014 No Comments

Roida Andusamile, TBS Public Relation Manager

To augment efforts geared at curbing substandard products, Tanzania Bureau Standard (TBS) is expected to open offices at the country’s two international airports, Kilimanjaro International Airport (Kia) and Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Speaking at the 38th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), TBS Public Relation Manager Roida Andusamile said and another will be opened in Mwanza and the offices are meant to help reduce the otherwise increasing importation of substandard products.

Apart from the three offices, TBS says it will establish other offices in Mtukula, Tunduma and Kasumulu:

"Our target is to also put our service closer to the people and so instead of having only one office in Dar es Salaam, we will open more offices in other regions as well," she said. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News

Tanzanians reminded on diversity in race, religion

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Tanzanians have been reminded that diversity in race, tribes, religions and other differences should be used to strengthen their unity and harmony instead of destroying them.

The call has been made by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Botswana to the United Republic of Tanzania, Emmanuel Ole Naiko during a fundraising event held at St. Peter’s Church early this week in Dar es Salaam.

“When peace will prevail among us Tanzanians will enjoy improved social welfare and economic prosperity,” he said.

The Chairperson of St. Peter’s church, Dr. Adelhelm Meru who is also the Director General of Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) said continued development of information, communication and technology has made the world increasingly small and the mingling of people is at its highest scope.

He said Tanzania is no exception and if the country is to expedite its national development, it must then embrace diversity while observing and protecting its core values and cultures of its own people.

Chaplain of the Church, Fr. Stephen Kaombe said it is his hope that the construction will be completed this year and also emphasized the importance of acceptance and diversity.

“We hope this construction is successfully completed this year,” he said noting “…it is vital for Tanzanians to embrace these difference if the nation is to maintain its current peaceful state in the midst of increasing global exchange of persons and ideas.”

The fundraiser event sought to raise money to fund completion of the envisioned Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa Service Centre.

At the event, the Botswana diplomat Ole Naiko saw 52m/- of the targeted 330m/- raised and Chairperson of St. Peter’s church, Dr. Meru pledged that the centre’s construction is expected to be completed this year and will have cost a total of 2.6bn/-.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News / Politics

How July 1 affects you

- Tuesday, 1 July 2014 No Comments

Dar es Salaam. The new financial year starts today, allowing new consumer prices for goods and services to take effect.

Parliament passed the Finance Bill 2014 on Saturday, giving the government power to implement its fiscal plans as presented by Finance minister Saada Mkuya in her maiden Budget last month.

Consumers will have to adjust their daily expenditure as new prices kick in following the tax and other fiscal changes being effected from July 1.

If you are a boozer or smoker, the usual suspects when it comes to increasing taxes, you may start spending more as the government increased excise duty on both alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

The government also increased the excise duty on soft drinks like fruit juice at different rates but the pinch will be more felt when buying imported drinks.

Tags: News / Politics

JK tells auditors: Don't bow to pressure from politicians

- Tuesday, 24 June 2014 No Comments

President Jakaya Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete has urged the National Audit Office (NAO) to start learning from countries with experience in the extraction of natural gas so as to acquire audit skills needed when the projects become operational in the country.

President Kikwete said it was important for the staff to acquire the skills early so as to effectively execute their work.

He made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the official opening of a six-day Annual Auditors’ Conference whose theme is: “Strengthening the Independence for the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) for the enhancement of accountability resulting in fostering economic growth.”

The president said in the past the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) depended on the mining companies to provide him with reports, which showed that they were incurring losses, a situation which forced the government to hire an international auditing firm to audit them.

“We should not allow this to happen in the emerging natural gas sector. You are supposed to start learning from experienced countries such as Norway and Sweden to avoid such complaints raised in the mining sector,” he said.
Commenting on the conference, President Kikwete called upon the NAO staff to execute their work professionally and avoid working under pressure from politicians.

He also called upon the office of the CAG to continue to learn new skills and adapt to international auditing standards.

He said it was important for the CAG office to continue being independent when exercising its responsibilities as a way of ensuring the economy of the country is not tempered with.

For his part, the CAG, Ludovick Utouh, said the three first days of the six-day meeting will involve learning from 18 countries that have experience in auditing. The said countries will be making presentations on the subject, he said.

He said the last three days will only involve auditors in the country who will be discussing the profession in the local context.

According to the CAG, his office has not yet fully adopted the so called international standards as the staff were still learning the art. touh also said fake contracts are among the challenges that his office faces during auditing.

However, he said this has also been contributed by limited knowledge on the part of the auditors.
Apart from challenges of skill and knowledge, the CAG said procurement in public office is an area where huge embezzlements are done.

He said despite the law making the culprits accountable that came into existence some time in 2010, the malpractice has persisted.

Utouh said that the CAG office should be recognised as an institution that makes a difference to its citizens, being responsive to the changing environments and stakeholders expectations without compromising its independence. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News / Politics

Public acceptance of GMOs slow - govt

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Deputy Minister of Finance, Adam Malima

Agricultural biotechnology adaption in Tanzania is slow despite government’s efforts due to a shortage of trained staff, infrastructures (Genetically Modified Organism - GMO testing equipment) and little knowledge on the technology amongst the people.

The observation was aired by Deputy Minister of Finance, Adam Malima yesterday in parliament on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives.

He said despite several efforts made by the government to embrace the technology, including collaborations with stakeholders to educate the public on the use of genetic engineering technology through an Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) and seminars, there is still limited knowledge amongst the public.

Malima was responding to a question put forward by Murtaza Mangungu (Kilwa North-CCM) who had wanted to know how the government has organised itself to educate the public on GMO technology.

“There have been claims which are not correct and some contradicting information that the technology could cause destruction of biodiversity and vegetation, bring dependency on a few agricultural seeds companies and increase allergic effects.

However, researches conducted by various international organisations like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) show that there are no side effects,” Malima insisted.

To ensure that the nation benefits from long term application of biotechnology, the minister said the government has implemented various strategies including creating a National Biotechnology Advisory Committee (NBAC), in 2002.

Also, signing the Cartagena Protocal on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Biodiversity in 2003.

Notably, the protocol is an international agreement which aims to ensure safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that, in contradiction to the deputy minister’s assertion of no side effects, may have adverse effects on biological diversity and to human health as well.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News

Tanzanian scientists score a first in research

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  Discover poultry vaccine able to withstand rural conditions
  Sign pact with drug company for world market production

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)

Tanzanian scientists have scored a first with the discovery of a poultry vaccine against fowlpox, known as Thermostable fowlpox vaccine- Strain TPV-1 that can remain effective in rural conditions with no preservation facilities.

The vaccine has been discovered by a team of scientists from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), using research funds from the government.

Already one of the largest animal health medicinal production companies, the Morocco-based M.C.I Sante Animale has signed an agreement with SUA for a mass production of the vaccine, targeting the global market.

The viruses causing fowlpox are distinct from one another but antigenically similar with possible hosts including chickens, turkeys, quail, canaries, pigeons, and many other species of birds.

Speaking during the signing of material agreement transfer between SUA and MCI Sante Animale in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Principal investigator Prof Philemon Wambura said the vaccine was suitable for tropical temperatures and does not require refrigerators.

“This vaccine can be easily administered in Tanzania’s rural environment where there is no electric power,” he said.

Wambura who is also the Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-SUA, said unlike other vaccines which require special sterilised and laboratory water or liquid, the new vaccine could be mixed with mineral water.

“This vaccine does not use virus as the source of antigen as is common in most vaccines in the market” he said.

For his part, Head of Strategy Business Development of M.C.I Sante Animale, Dr Baptiste Dungu said unlike other vaccines, the SUA one had unique and potential attributes that suits the global market.
He said his company was privileged to work with SUA to help the poor farmers in Africa to easily access the vaccine.

“We understand that our farmers face many challenges. We shall continue working with SUA in other researches as well as for the benefit of the farmers in Africa and the world as a whole,” he said.

Assistant Director, Livestock Research and Training, Dr Hurbert Lyimo apart from thanking COSTECH for funding the research, challenged other local scientists to emulate the great achievements made by Prof Wambura.

He urged M.CI. Sante Animale to make sure that after the mass production, the first deployment was done in the Tanzanian market.

For his part, the director General for COSTECH, Dr Hassan Mshinda said the discovery was clear evidence that Tanzanian researches are being put to use by local and international industries.

“Many people have been saying that research activities by Tanzanian scientists are not seen. Now this is a testimony that our scientists have a great potential,” he said.

Earlier, the Acting Director, life science at COSTECH, Dr Nicholous Nyange said in 2010, President Jakaya Kikwete approved funds for COSTECH to launch 56 research projects.

One of them was about increasing poultry productivity through enhancing thermostability of vaccines, for controlling respiratory diseases which has resulted in the discovery of the new vaccine.

Fowlpox is a common disease in backyard chickens that have not been vaccinated. Most birds survive the infections, although very young or weak birds may be lost. The lesions initially look like a whitish blister and appear on the comb, wattles and other skin areas. In rare cases lesions can be found on the body, legs and even sometimes the softer parts of the beak.

The blisters develop into a dark scab and take about three weeks to heal and drop off. Scarring may result and consequently exhibition poultry breeders prefer to vaccinate and avoid this disease. Management of the mosquito population can help reduce outbreaks of fowlpox. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: Events / News

TAHLISO president found, alive - RPC

- Monday, 23 June 2014 No Comments

Only hours after university students countrywide threatened to strike following the disappearance of the Chairman for Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Students Organization (TAHLISO), Musa Mdede, the student has been found alive.

Mdede who is also the President of the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) - Bugando students was found on Saturday at Usagara in Misungwi district.

Mwanza Regional Police Commander, Valentino Mlowola, said Mdede was found at between 9:00-10:00hours on Saturday alive and taken to Bugando Referral Hospital for check up.

“It’s true that we found the President alive. He was taken to the hospital for check up on the same Saturday and is now in police hands for investigations and his own security,” said the commander.

The commander said the President was found with the help of good Samaritans.
“It is too early to say how he found himself in Usangara. This is why we are still holding him,” noted the commander.

Vice Presidents for students at CUHAS, Benjamini Thomas said: “It is true that Mdede has been found. We were told by doctors at Bungando that he was at the hospital for check up on Saturday and the Regional Police Commander confirmed that. My office will divulge more information once we meet face to face with Mdede,” said Thomas. Mdede was among candidates contesting for TAHILISO presidential post but was abducted by unknown people last week when he returned his application form at the university.

TAHILISO issued a 20-hour deadline until yesterday morning otherwise they would announce a countrywide strike if the police failed to investigate their colleague’s disappearance within the period.

Meanwhile, University of Dodoma (UDOM)’s school of Humanities and Social Sciences are pressing for loans to undertake research and field work. This comes a few days after alleged information that the school had already received funds from Higher Education Students Loans Board for students in the faculty of business and social sciences except those studying languages. The President for UDOM’s school of Humanities and Social Sciences, Masatu Kyabwene said the students were ready to demonstrate if they are denied loans for research and field work.

According to Kyabwene, the number of students required to go for field work in the social science department – second and fourth years is above 1,000 and each is supposed to get at least 620,000/-. He noted that others are 800 students pursuing law in the second and fourth year who are required to get 100,000/- each.

But after getting the information and not being satisfied with the explanation by one loan officer, Kyabwene said he communicated with Prof Msoffe who said the funds will be returned to the Loans Board as they were mistakenly allocated to the school.

The President noted that the move raises more questions as they requested the loan using all the required channels and the school allowed them to secure places for field.

Acting Head for the school, Dr Frowing Nyoni said since it was a Sunday, he did not have enough information and could not get all the required persons to offer the information.

He therefore promised to give the information today after meeting the loan officers, leaders for students and other concerned staff.
Early last week the lecturers at the school were on striken, pressing for their invigilation allowances amounting to 63m/-. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: Events / News

President hands to union 'bodabodas' worth 15m/-

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President Jakaya Kikwete has presented ten new motorcycles worth 15m/- to an Arusha based motorcycle riders union been part of his fulfillment of promises made to the union back in November 2012.

The hand over was done through the union’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Saccos) popularly known as UWAPA.

Commenting, Arusha Regional Commissioner Magesa Mulongo who on behalf of the President, handed the motor cycles over at the weekend said riders of the bodabodas will go a long way in boosting the union members’ revenue generation.
He was however also keen to urge the beneficiaries to take road safety precautions and observe traffic rules.

He said although bodaboda related accidents have gone down, it is still important to ensure the operators have proper training, wear protective gear and observe all traffic rules.
The RC was also keen to urge for the systematic set up of designated parking stations for the bodabodas which at the moment, randomly park in search of clients.

UWAPA Saccos secretary Salvatory Massawe said the union has more than 2300 members but still has room for more and encouraged others to join and reap the many benefits.

The group’s Saccos Chairman Godlight Rugemarila, said the bodabodas have significantly contributed to government efforts in addressing youth unemployment and have employed thousands of youth over a very short span of time. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News

Chinese VP's Ngorongoro tour to bolster tourism, say pundits

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Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao yesterday toured Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), where he amassed praises for the beauty, diversity and wonderment of the conservation and experts say his visit will boost tourist visit to the NCAA significanly.

The Chinese leader landed at the Arusha Airport on Saturday evening been the start of his six-day official visit in Tanzania.

Yuanchao was welcomed by Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and other high-raking government officials including Minister of State in President's Office (Good Governance), George Mkuchika and Arusha Regional Commissioner, Magesa Mulongo.

Yesterday morning, the Chinese leader proceeded to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA)—one of Africa's most important wildlife sanctuaries and considered one of the worlds natural wonders.
Pundits say the Chinese leader’s descend into the Ngorongoro crater will significantly boost publicity for the crater and spearhead development of Tanzania’s tourism industry.

Especially with the fact that, China is becoming an emerging market for Tanzania’s tourism industry as more Chinese tourists have started flocking into the country for tourism purposes.

The Chinese envoy then flew to Dar es Salaam for other official activities, including attendance a series of important events such as the 2nd Tanzania- China Investment Forum, the foundation laying ceremony of the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Square and visiting several China-Tanzania cooperation projects.

Vice-President Yuanchao is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and other top Tanzanian officials further strengthening China-Tanzania ties.

As the Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao visits the country, the Chinese government has pledged to offer scholarships to Tanzanian students to study vocational education in China for the purpose of promoting and maintaining good relations existing between the two countries. The promise was made over the weekend in Dar es Salaam by Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) member, Dr Annie Wu following an official invitation from Tanzania’s President, Jakaya Kikwete.

Wu held talks with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Prof Sifuni Mchome, at the ministry.
Commenting, Mchome said China’s support comes at a time when it is much needed given ongoing efforts in the country to improve vocational training in a bid to prepare youth for self-employment.

The National Council for Technical Education Executive Secretary Dr Primus Nkwera called upon the youth in the country to seek out the scholarships when they will be officially announced. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News / Politics

MPs want more funds for agriculture, infrastructure

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The government should direct more funds to the agricultural sector and improvement of infrastructure in the coming financial year to control inflation and boost national income.

These are among the views aired by Members of Parliament at the weekend over the national budget for the 2014/15 fiscal year.

They said infrastructure development is vital, especially in rural areas where it would enable farmers transport their crops to the market and as a result, reduce inflation which according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stands at 6.5 percent yet contribution from agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only four percent.

Kahama legislator James Lembeli (CCM) said the budget allocation for the agricultural sector is too small yet the sector employs the most people in the country.

“There are no deliberate efforts by government to assist farmers and especially those engaged in commercial farming,” he alleged.
Lembeli said it is only through infrastructural development that inflation can be reduced since better infrastructure will mean faster and timely delivery of products to the market which then should stabiles the prices that are driven by supply and demand.

Another MP, Zarina Madabida (Special Seats- CCM), said: “Agriculture employs almost 80 percent of the country’s population but is not given priority…the government must inject more money into irrigation schemes and let unemployed youth receive financial support and agricultural inputs.”

She suggested that funds for the 2014/15 fiscal year should be directed to stimulation of the economic sector through construction of roads and rehabilitation of the railway infrastructure.

On another development, Pauline Gekulu, (CHADEMA- Special Seats) said at 6.5 percent the inflation rate, Tanzania still suffers from the very high rate and called for more efforts to bring it down in the next financial year.

She also emphasised on the importance of the government to settle its debts with social security funds which have now reached to over 600bn/-. Seconding the views, Ahmed Ally Salim, (CCM- Solwa) advised the government to come up with measures to lower the current inflation rate in order to give the much needed cost relief to Tanzanians. He said there is need to control fundamental economic parameters He mentioned some as interest rates charged by banks and financial institutions.

The MP said the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) should reduce the interest rates it charges on banks from the current 12.7 percent to at least 7 percent, as was the case in previous years.

He said the high BoT rates contribute to commercial banks’ similar high interest rates of up to 18 percent which means borrowers in turn sell their products at high prices to furnish the debt.

Similarly, Mohamed Misanga (Singida South-CCM) blamed the central bank for raising banks’ borrowing rates to over 12 percent, saying: “Tanzanians are not happy with the interest rates charged by commercial banks, but this is mainly caused by BoT…it should reduce its rates to enable banks to charge tolerable interest rates.”

Meanwhile, Tundu Lissu (Chadema-Singida East) faulted the government for what he described as ‘providing wrong information on the purchase of school desks using radar money.’

Lissu said Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda had told the parliament early this year that the government had so far distributed to various districts a total of 63,342 desks made from hard plastics.

He said the PM had further noted that a total of 63, 500 desks made of steel were also distributed bringing the number of desks distributed to a total of 93,740, which he claimed was not true. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Tags: News / Politics

MPs: Government not complying, MPs just complaining on budgets

- Sunday, 22 June 2014 No Comments

Parliament performance this week was put on a slate during debate, with MPs complaining that the law making organ is a letdown to the public.

Debating the 2014/2015 budget discussion, some MPs expressed dissatisfaction with discussion among legislators who complained about the budget but supported it, while being aware that it cannot be implemented.

They took issues with the government’s failure to adopt recommendations by the parliamentary budget committee which required the government to identify and take up new sources of revenue.

The Treasury’s failure in the 2014/15 Budget to incorporate new revenue sources proposed in Parliament, according to the Budget Committee chairman Andrew Chenge, is evidence of a lack of creativity and commitment in fixing the deficit that affected implementation of development projects.

He wondered why despite a number of proposals made in the House, the National Budget was laden with the same traditional revenue sources.

The government’s expenditure trend was even more worrisome, as it spent more than what it collected each year, said Mr Chenge who was presenting the committee report on the 2014/2015 government financial plan.

“This challenge arises from indiscipline in public expenditure,” he said, asserting that the first step in the Five-Year National Development Strategy is to reduce tax exemptions to the minimum, particularly discretionary ones, which the government has not fully done.

Tax exemptions, the strategy says, currently are not well monitored and cost the government 3.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.

Secondly, the state was supposed to bring in the informal sector and tax incomes that are not channelled through the payroll and invest in infrastructure projects meeting strict selection criteria.

Tanzanians making earnings abroad are another potential source of revenue mobilisation. Though official statistics are not readily available, it is estimated, for example, that there are about 100,000 Tanzanians in the UK alone.

By encouraging such Tanzanians to invest back home, and given a well formulated system, the government could significantly increase revenue collection through taxes on domestic investments and businesses of such Tanzanians living abroad.

The government could create a conducive environment for this to happen, including enactment of an Act on dual citizenship, improvement in banking processes, reduction in costs of money transfers and facilitating remittances.

But reacting to this, Muhambe MP Felix Mkosamali (NCCR-Mageuzi) blamed Mr. Chenge for complaining so much about the government’s failure to adopt those recommendations, saying the legislature need to put in place legislation to ensure the government acts within the frame set out by what is approved by Parliament.

He said the ruling party should support a motion to have such law enacted as the aim is to improve government performance.

“This Parliament is not serious because it decides on important matters but the government does nothing and no action is taken… Instead people just complain here, and still we have powers to change things,” he said.

He said the country cannot move ahead if Parliament cannot play its watchdog role effectively, noting that it was a shame in the eyes of the public.

He accused the Budget Committee of taking a lot of money in sitting allowances yet it was not doing enough to change the trend, instead of just complaining about government’s failures to listen and to heed House proposals.

Earlier in the week, Special Seats MP Engineer Stella Manyanya (CCM), blamed fellow legislators for insincerity in the House, saying they were not doing enough to help improve lives of the people.

Many Tanzanians were living in abject poverty and the MPs were not doing everything possible to rescue them, she said.

“You talk of improving agriculture but rural based farmers have not been reached…..we are all here not changing policies and laws to make their lives easier,” she said.

According to the Rukwa Regional Commissioner, politicians should support initiatives aimed at improving living standards of the poor Tanzanians.

Contributing on the debate, Special Seats MP, Chiku Abwao (Chadema) also wondered why all recommendations made by the Budget Committee are neglected by the government.

 “Why do we have to approve such budgets every year…..if the government cannot listen to parliamentary committee something should be done,” she declared.

Chonga MP Haroub Muhammad Shamis (CUF) also wondered why MPs keep on passing such budget despite a lot of complaints from the floor.

He argued that the 2014/2015 budget is not in line with the 2025 vision which requires a 10 percent economic growth rate yet it shows a one percent economic growth rate increase over the previous year or less.

“If the trend continues, it will take the country 30 years to achieve the 2025 vision and Parliament has remained a toothless bull dog and cannot take any measures,” said Mr Shamis.

Parliamentarians just complain and finally pass the budget, the CUF legislator intoned.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Tags: News

ESRF reiterates dire facts of poverty, maternal deaths

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Despite registered data that Tanzania has made significant achievements in some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 2015) the majority of its population is still trapped in absolute poverty, a major research outfit has declared.

Dr Tausi Kida, the director of Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) research programmes has said that recently released statistics show that poverty has been reduced to 28.2 percent in 2013 compared to the national target intended to reach 19.5 percent by 2015.

She pointed out that eradication of extreme poverty is a key priority in MDG targets and has not been achieved as compared to growth of the Gross Domestic Product.

She said that poverty is the main problem that continues to affect ongoing social and economic development especially in attaining MDG targets.

Speaking in a one day workshop for development stakeholders, Dr Kida said basic needs poverty has been reduced from 39 percent in 1990 to 36 percent in 2000, while in 2008 the poverty gap ratio stood at 34 percent declining to 28.2 percent in 2013.

“Despite that there are several hiccups in attaining MDG targets, the goal for livelihood for all must be pursued far beyond 2015, and thus it is necessary to consider the post MDGs agenda,” she said.

 ESRF Executive Director Dr Hoseana Lunogelo said that out of 192 United Nation members, Tanzania is among 48 poorest countries in the world and for the past 40 years the country has attempted to get rid of poverty, however the goals have not been attained.

He said that Tanzania has embraced the MDGs within its national Poverty Monitoring System since 2001 and has made considerable progress in achieving them. However, there is a need to increase efforts to get rid of poverty in the post MDGs agenda.

“Targets in primary school net enrolment, equity in primary education, access to safe water and reduction in child mortality have already been met or are now on track to be met by 2015,” he said.

Dr Lunogelo said despite important progress, efforts need to be accelerated to reduce maternal mortality, to halt and reverse the spread of HIV/Aids, to achieve greater gender equality and to cut extreme poverty by at least a half.

Reports show that about 12.3 million people on the Mainland are still living in poverty, according to a new poverty figure from the Household Budget Survey (HBS) released last year.

Monthly food poverty and basic needs poverty income per adult is Sh26,085 and Sh36,482 respectively, meaning people who live below those figures are distinctly poor.

Findings from recent reports and surveys show that while economic growth has made notable improvement overtime, reduction in poverty has been insignificant and non-proportional, he added.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Tags: News

`EAC has 18 million disabled people`

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There are about 18 million people with disabilities in the East African Community, President Uhuru Kenyatta has told a conference in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

In a speech read on his behalf by Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi over the weekend, the president said that such persons are largely to be found among the poorest strata in society.

“It is estimated that on average, less than 2 per cent of persons with disability in Africa enjoy primary school education and that there are no real opportunities for rehabilitation.”

As a consequence, the president said, people with disabilities are invariably marginalized and excluded from both the formal and informal job markets. At the same time, he added, women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to gender based violence.

President Kenyatta further said that the EAC had placed the issue of empowering persons with disabilities high on the integration agenda.

“This conference underpins the critical role that partner states and governments must play in providing leadership through the establishment at national levels of enabling environments to allow for people with disabilities to contribute as effective and full participating members of societies.”

In his own speech, Kambi told the two-day conference that Kenya was among nations that had ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“A wide range of legislative harmonization, policy frameworks, intervention programmes and social processes have been and continue to be put in place to ensure that persons with disability receive appropriate health care, educational and rehabilitative services within environments that best suit them.”

The Second EAC Conference on Persons with Disabilities was also addressed by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for East African Affairs, Mwanamaka Mabruki, who said that the global post-2015 partnership will be based on shared responsibilities that include guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities to benefit from economic and social development and participate fully in it.

“Upholding the rights of persons with disabilities must be seen as a priority for national and regional policies and should aim at guaranteeing equal access to social services and to job markets for all, Mabruki said.

The overall objective of the conference is to ensure that the disability concerns are mainstreamed in laws and policies at both the regional and national levels.

The theme of the conference is, “Empowerment: The disability concern in the EAC regional integration agenda.” Participants are drawn from politicians, academicians and civil society, among others, from all the partner states.

 Specifically, the conference aims to review the existing national employment policies on how they cater for empowerment of disabled persons; assess how far the partner states have gone with the implementation of the UN Convention of the rights of persons with disabilities; and assess how the partner states have attained the Millennium Development Goals in relation to people with disability and participation in the post-2015 agenda.

The meeting will further explore opportunities for ensuring accessibility for and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development and giving due consideration to all persons with disabilities in the emerging post-2015 United Nations development agenda.

In addition, the meeting will be expected to assess the adoption of rights for people with disabilities as indicated in Agenda 2063 by the partner states; devise means on how people with disability can be empowered in relation to Agenda 2063; and assess the extent to which the disability concern has been mainstreamed in policies, strategies and practice at national and regional levels.

The EAC policy on persons with disability is based on the provisions of Article 120 (c) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, under which the partner states undertook to closely co-operate among themselves in the field of social welfare.

This is with respect to, among others, the development and adoption of a common approach towards disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including children, the youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities through rehabilitation and provision of, among others, foster homes, healthcare, education and training.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Tags: Events / News / sHOCKING

Accidents claim eight lives in Dar, Same

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Six commuter bus passengers died on the spot in Dar es Salaam yesterday and twelve others were injured after the bus they were travelling in was rammed into by a lorry.

According to Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Camilius Wambura, the horrific accident occurred at Makongo area along Bagamoyo road at around 1.30 in the afternoon.

The regional police boss said the accident involved four vehicles two of which were buses, while the others were a lorry and a Land Rover.

RPC Wambura said the accident occurred after the driver of the commuter Tegeta to Ubungo lost control and drifted to another lane hitting several vehicles.

As the bus hit the vehicles a lorry rammed into it and in a matter of seconds the dead and injured were thrown into a trench. Police later arrived at the site.

However, information posted in social media outlets had it that around 18 people died in the accidents. The bodies and the injured were taken to Lugalo Military Hospital.

Meanwhile, two people died instantly yesterday morning after The Guardian Limited van carrying Nipashe newspapers from Dar es Salaam to Moshi and Arusha had an accident injured 10 other people.

The accident occurred at 6:00 am at Kirinjiko village in Same District, Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Robert Boaz said.

RPC Boaz said the source of accident may be speeding. “It was very early in the morning police had not yet established the cause of the accident but according to information we have from passers-by it is attributable to high speed.”

He said in the accident two people were instantly died, one woman identified as
Ester Tesha (35) as well as a man not yet identified died in the accident. According to the RPC, among the 10 injured, five of them were in critical condition and being admitted to Same District Hospital.

However, the Guadiana Limited Distribution Manager Raymond Kasera said the Guardian Limited van carried Nipashe newspapers and was only supposed to carry news papers and only two staff members.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Tags: News

Students demand return of abducted colleague

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Students of higher learning institutions countrywide plan a strike to push law enforcers to investigate disappearance of colleague Musa Mdede, the Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Students Organization (TAHLISO) has declared.

Fourth-year student at Bugando Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) in Mwanza, Mdede was also chairman of TAHILISO.  He was abducted by unidentified people and has not been seen since June 18.

TAHILISO issued a 20-hour deadline until today morning otherwise they will announce a countrywide strike if the police failed to investigate their colleague’s disappearance within the period.

A TAHILISO leader, representing the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) Yuda Gurti made the declaration yesterday on behalf of the organization, and said Mdede disappeared in controversial circumstances.

Mdede was among candidates contesting for TAHILISO president post but was abducted by unknown people four days ago when he returned his application form at the university.

He said: “Although we reported the matter to the police there is not any sign to show the government or law enforcers have investigated the disappearance,” adding that the incident is linked with pressure mounted by politicians.

“There are many cases like this that are driven by politicians who want to use university students for their own benefits, so we have joined all university students to call on the government to take effective measures to ensure Mdede is found by tomorrow.

“After the deadline we will take further steps including countrywide strike,” he stressed.
On his part Musa Ndile from the Institute of Finance and Management (IFM) said after Mdede abduction, TAHILISO and students reported the incident but failed to get enough support from state organs.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY