Who is this standing, whose hand has been raised up by the late Sheikh Abeid Karume, the first President of the Revolutionary government of Zanzibar? This is John Okelo, a man whose legacy has been forgotten in the history of the revolution in Zanzibar which took place in 12th January 1964. Okello who is said to be a Ugandan national, helped to organise and fought vigorously to tople the Sultanate government in Zanzibar and during the fight, he called himself a Field Marshal of the commanding group. Many Zanzibaris does not recognise him as a heroe who liberated black Africans who by then were subjected under the Arab humiliation. I am planning to compile a book to give an account of his adventure of his political movements ever since he entered in the Islands of Pemba and Zanzibar.

University students display placards as they wait for the outcome of a meeting between their leaders and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training officials in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, on their overdue loans which they would have collected on the 27th of this month. (Photo by Robert Okanda of Daily News)

Iramba district is known by its onion production

Business women at Kitukutu ward in Iramba District, Singida Region wait for customers as captured on Tuesday this week. The district is the leading onion producing region in Tanzania. A bucket of onions is currently sold for 5,000/-. (Photo by Daly News of 28/9/2011)

Govt prints constitution in Braille for the blind

In a bid to ensure wide participation of citizens in the process of preparing a new constitution, the government has printed special copies in Braille form for people with visual disabilities. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Permanent Secretary Oliver Mhaiki said the 1, 500 copies cost 32m/- to print. Speaking at the handover ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, he said the government will print even more copies to suite all groups of people with disabilities. “We received a request from blind people, we decided to print the copies in a form where the letters are printed as groups of raised dots that can be felt by fingures”, he said. Mhaiki said there are so many laws and regulations for people with disabilities but they don’t understand them. He added, “Hope they will now be able to contribute towards the new constitution”. Elaborating, he said his ministry in collaboration with the office of the Attorney General had embarked on the provision of civic education to different groups of people including people with disabilities. Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Voice of Disabled Women in Tanzania (SAUTA), Modesta Mpelembwa has thanked the ministry for providing them with the copies. “We are very happy for the books since we didn’t have opportunity to read the constitution for 509 years”, she said. She called upon other institutions to volunteer in printing more copies because there are so many people with disabilities in Tanzania. She said the 1, 500 copies would be distributed to their branches countrywide.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

The government faulted for skipping major issues

The government has been criticised for leaving out issues which occurred over the last five decades during special events organised ahead of the 50th independence anniversary, slated for December 9. Lindi-Urban legislator Salum Bar’wan sounded the criticism on Monday when addressing hundreds of Dar es Salaam residents who participated in special prayers for the victims of MV 'Spice Islander', which sank near Nungwi few weeks ago organised by CUF-Kariakoo branch. He said issues the recent marine accident in the Isles should be mentioned in pre-independence anniversary events organised by the government and its institutions with a view to finding lasting solutions. “We have been facing serious accidents that need the government to address their cause, instead of all the time telling the people about successes only,” he stressed. Bar’wan said as the government commemorates the 50th independence anniversary, it should evaluate its performance by mentioning both achievements as well as shortfalls it encountered. Wawi Member of Parliament Hamad Rashid, whose constituency is located in Zanzibar, said in his remarks at the same event that government authorities should seek assistance and other alternatives to recover the sank ferry-boat. “It’s better for the government to continue looking for the deceased and stop giving out incorrect statistics of to the public. We have been told that many families lost their beloved ones in accident and they remain unaccounted for,” he detailed. Hamad added, “Concerned authorities found guilty of causing the accident due to their negligence, should be penalized with immediate effect”. For his part, CUF-Kariakoo branch secretary Msafiri Ridhiwani expressed sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims following the loss of their relatives and friends in the accident. Earlier, Shura of Imams chief sheikh, Musa Kundecha, said the mourning time was over, urging Tanzanians to continue with other activities.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Diploma engineering students to get full sponsorship

The government has announced that diploma students in civil and irrigation engineering at technical colleges will get 100 per cent loans from the Higher Education Students Loans Board (HESLB).“We want to encourage more students to take civil and irrigation engineering courses. This sector needs more technical personnel. So, by giving them loans, we believe that more engineers will be produced and fill the existing gap,” Education and Vocational Training minister Dr Shukuru Kawambwa said recently when he visited Arusha Technical College (ATC). Other beneficiaries include students taking civil and irrigation engineering degree courses in different technical colleges across the country. Kawanda explained that the loans offered by HESLB would now cover ordinary diploma holders joining ATC, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) and Mbeya Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), as well as universities. He noted that the move was meant to encourage technical education and attract more professionals in science and engineering fields whose demand in the local market remained high. “We’ll make some adjustments so that ordinary diploma holders joining universities can assess loans just like other direct entrants,” he said, without mentioning when the new arrangement would start. He explained that although the loans were meant for direct entrants to universities, priority being given to science students, the move to extend loans to diploma holders in technical education was deliberate. According to ATC principal Richard Masika, until now such loans were only issued to direct entrants to universities and did not cover holders of diplomas from technical colleges. ATC, which was elevated to an autonomous training institution under the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training a few years ago, introduced a degree programme in civil and irrigation engineering last year. "We urge the government to provide HESLB loans to our students in civil and irrigation engineering because failure to do so means that we will continue losing these experts," he said when briefing the minister. He also promised that his ministry would ensure the construction of a laboratory building at ATC was completed on time. The building, which is to be completed next year, is for testing soil and water quality. Meanwhile, ATC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tanga Cement Company to help students be innovative in cement use. ATC Link coordinator Jaffar Mwanza said the MoU would enable the college to monitor the quality of cement produced in the country and the one imported by studying cement materials. According to the MoU, TCCL will be giving ATC two tonnes of cement quarterly for practical training.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Former dean recommends continuous ‘Self-assessment’ for degree students

FORMER Dean of the faculty of commerce at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Dr. Fraterm Mboya has urged the management of the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) to conduct a thorough continuous assessment programs to its students so as to let them build up their confidence. He says some graduates from UDBS lacks proper communication skills in both written and oral English language, an aspect he termed would cause a detrimental effects for their future development especially at this time when Tanzania has signed East African common market agreement. In view of this, Dr. Mboya has suggested for an effective concentration of the so-called self assessment program for students, otherwise if the trend is not changed, they won’t get their students being employed by any institutions in the financial and commercial sectors in the country. However, he has asked the management of the UDBS to sit down and think of how to practice an effective continuous self-assessment for its students internally, and might also get an external assessment through exchange program.

One of the greatest achievements the University of Dar es Salaam Business School is proud of is a State-of-the-art building it has constructed at the campus in Dar es Salaam.

He made this remark two weeks ago during one week occasion of the UDBS celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the UDSM whose climax would be held later on 25th October this year. Dr. Mboya who is currently the Director General of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) was a dean of the faculty of Commerce at the UDSM between 1986-1992 before it was changed into a business school in 2008. On the other way, the current dean of the Business School, who is also a former student at the university during which Dr. Mboya was a dean, Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga, confirmed that, she has introduced an English language program that takes six months duration. She said before the school undertakes the registration of its students, as a full time study program, the course helps beginners learn English language before embarking on an effective training programs. According to her, the essence of doing this is to empower students to get used to good command of English language while communicating. This language program would enable many graduates to be conversant and master their communication skills wherever possible.
Dr. Chijoriga also inaugurated the advisory board of the UDBS, four members were elected by the committee among them is Dr. Mboya. The purpose of launching the board is to get people from outside the main campus to give advices pertaining to the development of the UDBS school. Highlighting the development which her school has attained so far within 50 years of its existence, Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga said the business school has increased its student’s registration from 120 students in 1979 to about 2,500 students at present. She noted that, since the establishment of the faculty since 1979, now it is independent and had widened up its educational curriculum. She said adding that, the school has instituted undergraduate evening degree programs as well as a new building has been constructed within the campus. These are the most achievements attained, and apart from that, Dr. Marcelina has however asked her students to concentrate hard in business studies so as to cope with the situation in order to curb with the challenges that might emerge in East African common market. Poor communication skills facing most Tanzania higher learning students is an issue which various academicians in the country have spoken about it in broader perspective, and the situation seems to deteriorating without improvement.

The Minister for Trade and Industries Dr. Cyril Chami congratulates one of the advisory Board committee member of the UDBS school in a function to which he was the guest of honor at the UDSM main campus in mid of July this year. On his left standing is the UDBS Dean Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga


To start with, Professor Elifas Bisanda of Open University said last week that, most Tanzanian scholars from higher learning institutions in the country do not think deeply, they mostly think of getting certificates but not an in-depth knowledge which can make them think more critically. According to him, it is a fact that 20 years ago the top cream of graduates in most higher learning institutions were so bright, the challenge lies in the new generations which relies in short cuts in acquiring knowledge for their development. The Vice-Chancellor of Mzumbe University Professor Joseph Kuzilwa pointed out that graduates needs both technical and critical knowledge, it’s a matter of building knowledge and not be specific in one area. According to him, one way of grooming Tanzanian scholars into maturity is that, a student has to go himself to library or to the internet to look for the materials for themselves as time for attending lectures is not enough to enable them absorb what teachers shall have highlighted for them. A renowned radio broadcaster and an academician, Mrs. Marie Shaba pointed out that, Tanzanian scholars are not narrow minded, but it is because of the environment in which they were brought up. She is in the view of the fact that, the parental care under which most scholars are brought up is what makes them think the way they are. Commenting on the issue, Mr. Rakesh Rajani of TWAWEZA-East Africa, a Non-Governmental organization noted that, “there is a silly system of education here in Tanzania focusing on the problem of that of the medium of communication from primary level. He says that lack of confidence is built as a result of being illiterate in one area.
The above speakers gave out their comments in a live show program entitled “This week perspective” which is prepared by a renowned journalist and a long time TV presenter Mr. Adam Sembeye which was aired on last Monday under the subject. “Employability of graduates in the country”

The government does not have money to fund SMEs-Cyril tells entrepreneurs

THE Minister for Trade and Industries Dr. Cyril Chami has said that, Tanzania government does not have money with which to fund the development of Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. Dr. Cyril made the call recently in Dar es Salaam when addressing entrepreneurs in a closing ceremony of their week long training program which was organized by the University of Dar es Salaam School of Business (UDBS) for which he was invited as the guest of honour. The training which was attended by 683 participants from various parts of the country was offered freely as part of a week long celebrations by UDBS to mark the 50th anniversary of the University of Dar es Salaam whose climax ends on 25th October this year. In his speech Dr. Cyril told entrepreneurs to find other means of solving their woes through Private Public Partnership spirits by collaborating with donor funding organizations or through financial institutions accredited in the country. Earlier, the minister was asked a question by one of the participants’ representatives who wanted to know what steps does the government take in order to help promote the development of the SMEs in terms of capital for investments.

The Minister of Trade and Industries Dr. Cyril Chami presenting a certificate of participation to one of the 683 entrepreneurs who attended a one week long training program on entrepreneurship skills which was offered by University of Dar es Salaam School of Business (UDBS) at a function which was held recently at UDBS hall in Dar es Salaam.

In reply, however, the minister added by urging them not to depend much on the government in such issues as it’s engaged with lots of projects and moreover doesn’t have money set in its budget to the ministry to help accommodate entrepreneurs’ activities. He advised them not to rely on the financial institutions for funding, as most banks operating in the country are not friendly with SMEs and apart from that, the increased bureaucracy encountered is a major impediment while applying for credit loans. However, instead the Minister told them to coordinate with Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) to get entrepreneurship knowledge through capacity building in terms of training. “This is only the way most of entrepreneurs would avert themselves out of abject poverty”,. He said adding that SIDO is an institution that works under the umbrella of the Ministry of Trade and Industries and is highly engaged in capacity building. He urged them to undergo entrepreneurship trainings on various stages of basic business administrations through which the knowledge acquired would widen their entrepreneurship skills. These are the only strategic plans to make them survive He urged them to tolerate all the way through their business hardships and that they shouldn’t despair as there is nothing which is easier for the development of the people’s life without struggling hard. “Tanzanian industries would be built by Tanzanians themselves and nobody else, therefore you must strive by all means to achieve your goals by showing diligence and determination in every business undertakings” he said. Earlier, interviewed tutors at the school noted that the knowledge they give to them is highly commendable and a challenge to young entrepreneurs who are not well educated or half-educated therefore it will make them have confidence in other business dealings in order to fair in competition in East African common market. Highlighting on a week long entrepreneurship training knowledge acquired which the UDBS offered freely, the dean of the Business school Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga said that participants were taught on how to become innovative and with self-determination so as to successfully accomplish their various daily activities.

The Dean of the University of Dar es Salaam School of Business (UDBS) Mrs Marcelina Chijoriga responds questions to Mlimani TV crew on the development of her school recently during the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).


She said in a move to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the UDSM, as well as the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, The UDBS decided to offer a free training to small and medium enterprises in the country to empower them through capacity building program. They have learnt some of the basic topics associated with the ways on how to manage their enterprises such as business tactics, techniques, business administration and management in general and later participants were awarded with the certificates of participation. Some interviewed participants have expressed their concern over the government’s insistence on maintaining good governance saying that most of the country’s resources is being misused and never benefits Tanzanians. They are disappointed to see that our country’s resources is enough and abundant, but how comes that we are not benefiting so far? Says Lazaro Nyaonge, a manager of the Morogoro based Linas Longer Living Foods Company. An assistant lecturer at the UDBS Mr. Renger Kanan said in an interview with this paper during the climax of the UDBS week long cerebrations that, there is a growing gap between the government and the businessmen, manufacturers and all those in the business sector in general. He said that if this issue of the electricity would not be solved easily would cost a lot to the people of Tanzania and the government’s major ope4rational activities would come to a stand still as it would lack money to run its other operations due to low taxes paid as most manufacturers would stop production and hence redundancy would follow. In view of this, he has strongly urged the government to equalize the ration of electricity supply in the country in order to be on safe side. This should be given first priority as it is a most crucial commodity for every development plans. Electricity is used to drive electronic gadgets for ICTs such as computers and machines.

The seizure of fish consignment from Japan sparks a mixed reaction

UNCERTAINTY still surrounds the recent government’s decision which has left many people in great amazement after it had suspended the sale of about 124,992 kilograms of fish consignment from Japan, which it had earlier certified was fit for consumption. Business Times can establish. The orders came after five days of the release of the fish consignment known as Mackerel from the port of Dar es Salaam two weeks ago despite of the fact that the company met all the local and international safety requirements for importation with all the legal documents in hands. The Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Hadji Mponda confirmed in Dar es Salaam recently that, his ministry had intervened on the strength of a report of the consignment from an anonymous informer that, “the alleged consignment had been contaminated by dangerous nuclear elements.” However, the consignees’ shipping documents including two important ordering permits whose copies are made available to Business Times, shows that all the procedures as indicated in the documents were clearly followed. But to the great dismay, the General Manager of the company Alphakrust Limited which imported the consignment Mr. Ganeshan Vedagire is still in great surprise following the orders by the government which compelled him to withhold the sale of the fish consignment pending for further investigations. According to him, the available documents verifies in details the importing procedures through which the company followed. One of the most important documents is the one issued by Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission with reference No: I’AEC/ENV/09/3/VOL.95/2309 which was signed by its Director General on 8th of July 2011. Another document in hand is that one which was issued by the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA).

The Ferry fish market in Dar es Salaam is currently facing shortage of fish, not because of the fish consignment that is supposed to have posed a great threat to consumers, but because of the recent marine disaster of Spice Islander which sunk with over 1,000 people off the shores of Zanzibar Island. In view of this, fishermen have stopped fishing and have gone to mourn for their relatives in Pemba. Statistics shows that most fishermen at Ferry fish market are people of Pemba origin.

This document endorsed the permission to import registrable products under section 21(1)d of Tanzania Food Drug and Cosmetics Act 2003, the document bears the permit No: TFDA11/F/IPER/0896 which was signed on behalf of the Director General on 11th of July 2011. Investigations by Business Times over the matter can reveal from other sources in the fish industry that, some fish dealers have described the action portrays corruption and has been more aggravated by, if not personal interests of some few untrustworthy officials Their views are judged from the proof that, if Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) a national body responsible for ascertaining the quality of imported food had allowed the sale of the consignment in the market which they had proved had no doubt, how comes should they change out their mindset? Asked one fellow. However, TFDA’s acting Director General Mr. Hiiti Sillo could not be able to speak on the matter when contacted for more clarifications saying that, the issue was now in the hands of the government investigation. Interviewed about the whole saga, some fish traders in the city could not hesitate to give out their comments. Their views had a mixed reaction as some of them expressed their views in support of government’s decision while others have criticized their fellow traders for having involved in dubious business. Some local fish dealers in the country expressed their disappointment over the decision of the government for banning the consignment from being sold in the market, saying that it was too late as some potion of it was already allowed and people had bought it. They said, “TFDA as well as the Ministry of Health officials have to be blamed for their failure to take abrupt action of preventing the consignment from being sold, and commented on the power the two bodies are vested upon over the inspection of the imports coming into the country. Apart from the blame thrown to the government, some fish traders have also blamed their fellow fish businessmen for being unscrupulous says one Frank Joseph of Magogoni fish market in the city. According to him, there are few unscrupulous fish traders who are engaged in an illegal business transactions with a view of spoiling the good name of the industry which it has established and its stakeholders in general. Another businessman Ahamad Kombo of a Dar es Salaam based Fish Dealers Company, threw a challenge to fish industries in the country for their failure to comply by the rules and regulations set by the government over the conduct of fish businesses, especially when ordering fish consignment from outside the country. According to him, there are some famous businessmen who are engaged in importing fish consignment that colludes with high ranking government’s officials in dubious trade transactions, an aspect which he termed as tarnishing the good name of fish industry in the country. Without mentioning the alleged companies, he says that, some engage in acts of corruption with the government related organs who concerns with imports and inspections of imported fish from outside the country. He reveals that consignment of low quality fish is auctioned to some unscrupulous traders coming from East and Central African countries Tanzania included who does their business transactions with their counterparts from Middle East countries. Mr. Kombo whose company deals with the supply of fish as an agent, says that dubious traders have found it easier to conduct their businesses here in Tanzania without resistances. He therefore cautions Tanzanians to be keen enough while buying the imported fish. Mr. Kombo noted that, most big fish industries in the country are owned by well-known eminent figures who owns biggest shares and in view of this, it is difficult to control them. However, he noted that it is not true that small scale businessmen fails to order fish consigners from outside the country, but due to their low income level and coupled by the increased tax rates by the government, most of them fails to do such businesses. Cornered by the writer of this news, was a Medical expert who could not hesitate to advise Tanzanians on the consequences that might arise as side effects resulting from the consumption of any foods alleged to have been contaminated by nuclear elements. An expert says that such victims are likely to be affected by cancer.
An Assistant Director of the cancer department of the famous Dar es Salaam based Ocean Road Cancer Hospital Dr. Julius Mwaiselege said in interview when contacted for comments that, “signs of cancer disease resulting from nuclear elements is not immediately realized. However, he said the circulation of the so-called poison moves slowly on human body and takes about ten years when a patient begins to see the body signs. Therefore, Dr. Mwaiselege suggests that for earlier treatment if someone suspects to have been infected is therefore asked to undergo for a medical treatment earlier to know of their body status. Dr. Mwaisegele made the appeal especially to those who felt to have already consumed the fish consignment in areas of Kilombero, Morogoro and in Dar es Salaam where it had been earlier distributed for sale. Meanwhile the Manager of fish Ferry market My. Bure Mdoe where the consignment were destined for preservation, has said that Dar es Salaam residents should not be afraid as the fish earlier kept within the yard have been removed for further investigations. The issue of fish raged the national parliamentary debate a fortnight ago as members of the parliament demanded to know the government move to import the fish while the country has all the available water sources to be used for fishing activities.

The plight of Petty traders at Kariakoo area is still unsolved

THE exercise of evicting petty traders commonly known as “Machingas” from conducting their businesses in restricted areas from the main central business district in the city of Dar es Salaam seems to have bore no fruit, the survey by Business Times can reveal. The operation which started five years ago, is being steered by the Dar es Salaam City Council with the aim of clearing the city centre streets of congestion. This is a move to ensure the implementation of a properly planned Sustainable Development Cities Programs which was introduced by the city fathers almost a decade ago. Contrary to the expectations of many people, the exercise by no means seems to have failed as many petty traders who had been evicted from their original trading areas can be seen back in full swing from where they had been allocated. A spot check by this paper reveals that, most petty traders have clogged narrow congested streets while others have almost blocked important passages, thus rendering some difficulties of movements of goods and people around, an aspect that is contrary to the integrated city’s planning development systems.


A Woman is seen with a bunch of onions which she has spread on the ground in front of the famous Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam. Such merchandise arte spread on the ground surrounding the market posses a health hazard to consumers. On the backlground pone can notice a heap of uncollected filthy on a truck which during rainy seasons fumes with horrible smell.
Along the famous Congo Street, business is back as usual and the presence of traders around seems to have redoubled than before, their increased number has surpassed the number of city council’s askaris who usually keeps on chasing them in hot pursuit without success. Critics of the business environmental surrounding commends that, “the city fathers have proved failure to curb with the increasing number of petty traders who flock daily in the city”.Along the busiest Msimbazi street, one can see petty traders with their merchandise spread on the ground and others holding them while standing in narrow street pavements and along pedestrian walkways thus causing inconveniences to passersby as well as window shoppers. Petty traders do their business in extremely pathetic situation and sometimes it becomes quite intolerable to do shopping especially after taking a glimpse of the edible products like condiments such as onions, tomatoes and other consumable products which are normally spread on the ground and exposed of in an unhygienic manner.