Somalia, the state of blood.

It is very hard to believe if these people were dead or not. But the truth about the matter is that, they were dead and paraded in public view for people to identify them. This is how Somaliland is, frequent deaths are the order of the day.

The animal species with the nature of human beings

You don’t need to be told of the species of these animals who were found resting probably pondering over on their next move.

Unusual to carry a goat on ones back. This is oddity

Very funny indeed. An unidentified man carrying a goat on his back while riding a bicycle along the road from the market where he had bought it.

When will tribal clashes end in Africa?

Africa is leading for having refugees in neighboring countries. This is due to the civil strifes which never ends an aspect that would put this sub continent into endless troubles. An example is with this photo as depicted in 1996 when there was tribal clashes among the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda. Refugees marching in single file as they cross the border to Tanzania. Women and children are always the most sufferers.

Troublesome machingas on pedistrian walkways in the evening

During evening time, petty traders known as Machingas at Ilala Mchikichini market in Dar es Salaam are fond of spreading their merchandise along Kawawa Road, thus causing traffic jam to the motorists passing along as captured here. Scores of them selling old shoes plus clothes known in Kiswahili as Mitumba.

Why machinga are trading anywhere they like?

The bridge which connects Ubungo and Mwenge suburb in Dar es Salaam city is among the newly constructed bridge. It is surprising to note that it has been invaded by petty traders who use its iron frames to display their wares for sale. The city authority must be careful as this is prone to vandalism of some iron parts used to build the bridge by few untrustworthy petty traders around.

Dar es Salaam floods, pictorial scene

Following heavy rains which continues to pour in downtown Dar es Salaam city, people who are residing in valleys have experienced a hard phenomenon which they will never forget in their life. According to one person at the scene of incident, valley dwellers have defied the government order which requires them to vacate from these areas. Large numbers of valley dwellers in these areas seems to have turned a blind eye and refused blantantly to respond to the government call a result of which many of them have found themselves homeless after their houses are submerged in water which runs with high force to enter the confluence of Indian Ocean to the east direction of the city of Dar es Salaam.




This is how the situation was yesterday at Jangwani in Dar es Salaam, the area almost turned into a pond of water

Military taskforce arrives at Jangwani area to rescue people from their houses

A task force consisting of members of Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) arrived at Jangwani with their special boat to rescue people from their houses which had been surrounded by water.

Electric poles in danger

Electric poles standing precariously in a dangerous position after having been waterlogged at Jangwani area after it had rained heavily in the area for the last two days.

Flooding at Jangwani area in Dar es Slaam city

A cross section of some of the houses seen submerged in water from far a distance at Jangwani area in the city of Dar es Salaam. The area has become so notorious during rainy seasons of the year.

Floods in the city of Dar es Salaam

Scores of people walking on foot to Kariakoo area after the Morogoro road that links with Magomeni suburb was temporarily closed after the Jangwani Bridge in between which links the two suburbs was overshadowed by rain water an aspect that even vehicles could not manage to pass through. This was how it was yesterday 21/12/2011

Floods in Dar es Salaam city, a pictorial scene

Policemen patrolling after being deployed along Morogoro Road near Jangwani bridge which has become the most notorious area for flooding following a two day torrential heavy rains that poured in downtown Dar es Salaam city exclusively. The rains have caused damages to the most important infrastructure such as telephone wires, electricity poles and city roads.

The Open University of Tanzania to establish electronic media stations

STUDENTS pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication degree programs at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), will now have time to do their electronic field practice with ease following plans which are underway by the OUT to establish a radio and television stations of their own. It was disclosed last week at Bungo- Kibaha. The move is in line with the university’s strategic future plans discussed for 2011/2012 academic year which together with other university’s projects, the establishment of these two electronic media stations have been considered. OUT’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Tolly Mbwette said last week when addressing the prospective graduants during annual convocation meeting of the Open University of Tanzania which was held at a permanent OUT headquarter at Bungo-Kibaha located 40 miles away west from the city of Dar es Salaam. According to him, his university will establish a radio station in a place to be identified later within three to four months’ time, and later would be followed by a television which will be established in two years to come. However, he said in an exclusive interview after his meeting that, television is more expensive and would require long term planning. Apart from their normal roles of disseminating news as well as other programs to a mass audience in the country, the stations will also serve as a training centre by inviting students from other institutions pursuing journalism and mass communication studies in the country.

Seated in a jovial mood front row are four grandaunts of Journalism and Mass Communication degrees. This was during the 23rd graduation ceremony of the Open University of Tanzania. I was one of them waiting to be conferred with our degrees. From left to right are Mwanzo Milinga (MC), Evelen Eugene (MC) Emmanuel Onyango (Journalism) and Ikunda Erick (Journalism). Two of our fellows graduated in absentia.

The annual convocation meeting which is normally held ahead of the graduation day by the university aims at discussing some of the problems and challenges faced by the university. The meeting also highlights future development plans laid down by the university for the coming academic year. A day after the convocation meeting, the Open University of Tanzania held its 23rd graduation which was graced by the Vice-President Mohammed Bilal as the guest of honour. According to Professor Mbwette, it was the first time for the graduation of the Open University of Tanzania to have been graced by the top government official in the country since its establishment 19 years ago. A total of 2,531 graduants were conferred with certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The degrees were given to graduates who pursued undergraduate, masters and PhD degree program levels. A total of 11,381 people have been conferred by the OUT University since its establishment way back in 1994.

I was among the top 17 best students who excelled in their final examinations of the 2010/2011 academic year and awarded with the Vice-Chancellor’s prize. I have scored 4.5 GPA (First Class) in BA in Journalism. Above I am being given a certificate by the Chairman of the Open University of Tanzania Board of Senate, Professor Samwel Wangwe.. Standing at the centre facing camera is the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tolly Mbwette. Extreme left partly seen is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Elifas Bisanda. This occasion took place during the convocation meeting, a day before the graduation day at the prospective permanent headquarter of the Open University of Tanzania which is currently under construction at Bungo-Kibaha in Coast region 40 kilometers away west of Dar es Salaam city.


When outlining the development of a permanently expected headquarters of the Open University, Professor Mbwette said, a total of Tsh. 400 billion is needed to complete the construction of all the designed buildings at the maim campus whose architectural drawings are in place. Either he noted that, there were so many challenges Open University is facing from the national leaders whom he described to have not taken an active part to advertise the presence of the university in their regions despite of the fact that, open University has opened its regional centres in all regions in the country. Analyzing a detailed report of the development of the expected Open University headquarters, the Chairman of the Board of the University senate, Professor Samwel Wangwe said that, only two buildings which have been constructed so far, these are an office block at the entrance and a book store within the yard which covers approximately 40,000 acres of land.

This is how I looked like during the 23rd graduation ceremony of the Open University of Tanzania. A day has come and I have a reason to smile for what I had been waiting for in my life is now around the corner. How proud is it if someone recognizes you as a degree holder? How do you feel by having this academic achievement? It is really fascinating as it paves the way for one to proceed with another.


He has challenged the main stakeholders of the higher learning institutions from the Ministry of Education in the country to dish out money to help develop some regional centres which are now all over the country. Other challenges he noted are that, the Open University has been assigning outside tutors to run with the teaching exercises and provides teaching materials for students, but lack of money has been an exacerbating issue. He has therefore asked the government to set aside money in its next financial budget in order to subsidize for the payment of part time teachers who are hired from other universities to do the job. Despite of running with these disparities, the Vice-President assured the management of the Open University that, he would take to task all the problems mentioned before him, and promised to give a full support wherever appropriate and necessary. Going on its 20th year of its existence next year, another challenge the University is faced with is the shortage of lecturers as this is an issue affecting most government higher learning institutions in the country. In return, the Vice-President has asked the management of the University to liase with the Ministry’s officials in the country in order to ward off the existing phenomenon

The Precision Air company to open more regional routes

TANZANIA' s leading airline service company, the Precision Air is set to expand its operational services by opening other five regional air flight routes within central and southern Africa region. Business Times has been informed. The company's Managing Director Alphonso Kioko said in an exclusive interview last week in Dar es Salaam that, his company is expecting to inaugurate a maiden journey of these routes in January and February and later in October next year. “The first route will be inaugurated to Lubumbashi in DRC followed by Luanda in Angola, these two air flight routes will be effected between January and February next year” he said adding that, other three routes will be inaugurated in October. The inauguration of these five routes will make the total number of seven routes plus the two ones under which the airline operates. These routes are Johannesburg in South Africa and in Comoro Islands which were inaugurated early this year. He mentioned the other three routes with their respective countries in brackets as follows, Lilongwe (Malawi), Lusaka (Zambia) and Harare (Zimbabwe). However, he said all these routes will be succeeded following plans by the company which are underway to buy the third aircraft, boeng 737 whose aim is to boost the regional internal flight services. He says after the purchase of the boeng aircraft which will be acquired on hiring basis from a US based company at a cost of between US$ 100,000 and 150,000 per month, his company is planning to bring in two brandy new ATR 42 aircrafts next year.

According to him, one boeng plus two aircrafts, these would bring flexibility to clients and will make the total number of the aircrafts owned by the company to be 14, which by no any doubt, he is optimistic the operations will be smoother to cater the need of the customers within East, Central and Southern Africa region. On the issue of the maintenance of its aircrafts, the company is currently busy to finalize the construction of its long awaited hangar at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) which is expected to be ready within one and a half months' time in order to accommodate these aircrafts. However, he cited weather conditions for being the main challenging factor that constraints their flight programs. These are to be issued by Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) on alert that impends any danger ahead, and is uncontrollable. He said for the last two months, his company has had experienced a problem of weather in Bukoba, Shinyanga and in Mara regions mostly due to the prevailing rains. He said the aircraft operating in these regions experienced strong weather conditions an aspect which forced them to suspect or cancel their flight schedules for a while. In addition to the weather challenges one of their aircrafts, ATR 42 was grounded and after its maintenance its operation is back in full swing and has now improved. Meanwhile in another development, the Precision Airline sought to raise close to TZS28 billion Tanzanian shillings (USD$16.5 million) from its IPO for modernization and expansion of its fleet, but managed to collect just TZS11.84 billion shillings. The company is co-owned by Kenya Airways offered 58,841,750 shares for sale during the IPO that ended last week. "The response of the public has been very impressive and we expect increased demand from large institutional investors these last days," Lauren Malauri, CEO of Orbit Securities was quoted as saying early this week in Dar es Salaam. The price for each share in the IPO had been pegged at Tsh. 475 and buyers were expected to purchase a minimum of 200 shares. The listing of the Airline at the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange would be on December 8.

A Kenyan company unveils TV decorder in Dar es Salaam

TELEVISION viewers in the country will now have the opportunity to make a wider choice on the variety of the TV channels they wish to visit following the launching of the most powerful and the cheapest TV decorder popularly known as ZUKU in Tanzania. The product which was unveiled early this week by Wananchi Group from the Republic of Kenya, is a pay TV satellite service that offers over 60 TV channels found worldwide at an affordable price. It has already started operarting through agents stationed in the country. The initial installation charges plus fees and the costs for paying technicians will be totaled at Tsh. 92,000, then afterwards, a customer will continue paying a normal monthly fee for the broadband charges of Tsh. 20,000. Zuku TV offers a wide selection of entertainment channels covering news, sports, movies, documentaries and musics. These includes various third party channels such as BBC, MTV Base, Setanta sports, MGM Movies just to name but a few. According to the Chairman of Mwananchi Group, Ali Mufuruki, the provider also offers many of its own tailor made channels such as Zuku Africa airing African content, Zuku life airing documentaries, modern consumer fresh, innovative and affordable options for entertainment and communmication.

Mwananchi Group CEO, Richard Bernalist elaborating a point to journalists {not in picture}on how the Zuku TV brand he had just inaugurated for his company will be beneficial to TV users in the country. On his right he is flanked by the company's Chairman Ali Mufuruki.

He says, there are currently three commercial products under Zuku namely, Zuku TV {DTH satellite TV covering 12 countries within East and Central Africa}, Zuku triple play which is a bundle cable offering of TV high speed broadcast and VoIP, and Zuku Biz the company's own cable. Echoing his sentiments, Wananchi Group CEO, Richard Bernalist explained that Zuku was uniquely positioned in this market as a truly dedicated East African service made by Africans for Africa. “In the ten countries we are targeting, Zuku pay TV penetration is presently at less than 1 percent and there is a need for affordable quality content which is suitable for the entire family” he said early this week. In early this year, Wananchi Group raised $57.5 million in growth from a group of international investors which is going towards supporting the roll out of Satellite services in 10 countries. Zuku TV is expected to provide numerous employment and business opportunities to Tanzanians through its distribution network.
The Wananchi Group company is the leading provider of cable and internet services in Eastern Africa region which was established in 2007. As the African leading provider of “triple play” with a cable network passing 40,000 kenyan homes, the company is positioned to become the premier media operator in the region. Zuku TV meets the obligation of the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) that requires all Television broadcast services to migrate from analogue to digital by 2012.

Sardine prices spiral at Kariakoo market by 100 percent.

DELIVERIES of sardine from the great lakes regions to the main Kariakoo market, the biggest in the city of Dar es Salaam have gone down, thus forcing the prices of this commodity to rise up. With this supply crunch, the survey conducted early this week at the market shows that, a retail price of a kilogram of this commodity is currently pegged at Tsh. 5,000 from Tsh. 2,500 which it had been before in the last two months. This is an increase of 100 percent. Statistics kept by the market administration shows that, beginning early October this year, daily deliveries to the market have fallen by approximately 50 percent from 506 bags to 244 bags per day each weighing between 45 and 55 kilograms. Nicolus Omolo, an economist and market statician attributes the dwindling supply that has resulted high sale of this protein nutritious food as due to scarcity of sardines currently being fished out from the lake. However, he added that, this is being caused by the prevailing long rains from the main supplying regions which started in October. Other reasons he attributed as the most important ones are due to the high freight charges induced by road transporters which is currently characterized by the constant depreciation of Tanzanian shilling coupled by the rise of oil. Traders at the market say that, the trend of the business is normally affected by weather conditions of the year that interacts with the trading periods from the source areas which normally starts from October and ends up in early January. An unfavorable condition reduces supplies to markets from the production areas.
Johnson Ouma, a wholesale trader from Mwanza region told this paper in an exclusive interview that, during rainy seasons, sardines are not easily found as they go down to the basement of the lake because they need warmth an aspect that it is very difficulty for fishermen to catch them.
However, he said that it's not easy to predict when how long is this situation going tio persist, but critics from the areas of the main supplies that fishermen are not to blame as they are not concerned wit the price rise for they are also labourers. Good sardines never fail to find a good market in Dar es Salaam city markets says Mary Adoyo, a famous sardine wholesale trader located at Kariakoo's sub terranean part of the market {shimoni}. However, she noted that, despite of the price hike, still people would prefer to buy the commodity as the sardines from the great lakes regions have a delicious taste and have no difficulty in attracting customers.

This photo was taken in early July this year, when a kilogram of sardine was sold at Ts,. 2,800 at Kariakoo. Now the prices have doubled.

The survey has also discovered that, there is a slight increase in price of sardines from Kigoma in lake Tanganyika. These are sold at between Tsh. 12,000 and 17,000 from between Tsh. 9,200 and Tsh. 12,500 per kilogram depending on the variety and in terms of quality at the same marjet. “It is surprising as more customers would now prefer to afford a kilogram of oprdinary meat which can be fetched at the same market at between Ts. 4,500 and Tsh. 5,000” remarked one customer who prefered anonymity when approached for comment. Meanwhile, with just three weeks remaining ahead of christmas festivities, prices for cereal foods and other leguminants foods are likely to raise up primarily due to their low supplies at the Kariakoo market. Nicolus Omolo attributes the scarcity of the commodities such as beans, cowpeas, pegion peas, green grames, lentil, monkeynut, peanut, sorgum, finger millet, wheat, rice, maize etc from their areas of main supplies as the impending danger of crop production.

TPCC rises up the price of its Twiga cement product by 4 percent

TANZANIA Portland cement Company (TPCC) has increased the price of its Twiga cement brand product by 4 percent, thus forcing cement buyers in the country to deep further into their pockets in order to acquire the product. A reliable source from within the factory based at Wazo Hill on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam says that, a wholesale price of a 50 kg sachet of cement at factory price is now sold to cement agents at Tsh. 12,439 from Tsh. 11,960. This is approximately an increase of 4 percent. TPCC’s Director of Sales and Marketing Ekwabi Magigo attributed early this week in Dar es Salaam that, the price increase is alongside with the increase in the factory’s operational costs which has been exacerbated by a constant depreciation of a shilling against dollar. He added that the continued situation has disturbed the stability of cement production. He further said that, higher production costs and usage of the US Dollar in procurement of natural gas are some of the factors that have increased cement prices. The company buys gas from SONGAS Ltd and for importing raw materials by using US Dollar whose value is increasing now and then against Tanzania shilling.

Twiga Cement plant at WAzo Hill on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city.


Following the increase of this precious commodity used for construction purposes, I carried a survey in some parts of the city’s suburb and found out that, there is a slight increase for the purchase of one bag weighing 50 kilogram. The survey shows that, the retail price of a bag of 50 kg sachet of Twiga Cement brand is now fetched at between Ts. 14,000 and Tsh. 14,500 from between Tsh. 13,200 and Ts. 13,500 as it was before two weeks ago. Tanzania’s local cement industries are capable of producing three million tones of cement per years against the country’s yearly demand of 2.1 million tones, but lack of electricity power supply is an exacerbating factor which hinders the production of this commodity in the country, says an official from Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI). In 2009, Heiderlberg Cement Company owners of Twiga Cement Company invested more than US$ 100 million to expand the TPCC production facilities in order to meet the increasing cement demand in the country. Despite of such an investment, still Tanzania was experiencing an acute shortage of this product an aspect that the government allowed foreign imports of the same commodity from Pakistan and India to be sold in the local market. Following this decision by the government, there was an outcry from the three giant local cement manufacturers in the country who complained that their competitors were being subsidized by their government to produce export cement, and it is very unfortunate that Tanzania does not have such a privilege. Three years ago, the import duties on cement were abolished by the government and President Jakaya Kikwete reiterated that these were temporary measures initiated to whether the storm of price hikes, but seemingly this is not implemented. The decision back in 2008 was fuelled by a rise in demand for cement that local producers could not meet. However, local cement manufacturers have been complaining that the decision enabled colossal cement imports mostly from Pakistan and India undercutting the local manufacturers.

Nyerere’s film blamed to have insufficient contents

SOME Dar es Salaam residents have criticized the production of a film documentary which has been designed to honour the father of the nation and his importance in modern Tanzania history in commemoration of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the country’s independence. The film titled, “NYAYO ZA MWALIMU” which literally means ‘footsteps of the teacher’ a popular title used to refer the first President Julius .K. Nyerere is currently sold in some parts of Dar es Salaam city centre at a negotiable price of between Tsh. 3,000 and Tsh. 5,000 respectively. Some interviewed residents who bought the film at Kariakoo market said that, “the film shows only few and not important areas that could enlighten the future generations on the basic important social and economic activities which were spearheaded by the father of the nation who died in October 1999”. According to one, Rhoda Simbale a resident of Vingunguti claimed that she thought the documentary would show the struggles of the farther of the nation towards the attainment of independence and any other activity as related to his charity idea of maintaining peace, unity and brotherhood. Another one, Joseph Mwambi who resides at Kinondoni was very happy to buy one film and thought it would show anything crucial to honour his credibility for being a long serving President and the founder of our nation. But to his great dismay, he was surprises to view the long speech which Mwalimu gave in a conference meeting with journalists he organized at the then Kilimanjaro hotel in Dar es Salaam. This was when Tanzania was getting prepared for the first multy-party elections in August 1995. Contrary to the expectations of many, the film shows only part of the Mwalimu’s visit of the battle field during the Kagera war in 1978/79 as well as when his body was being brought into the country aboard Air Tanzania plane (Ngorongoro). Other sections of it shows the procession amounted by a cross section of youths running after Mwalimu’s body while chanting slogans to praise his efforts, this was during when Mwalimu’s body was being driven to his Msasani residence in Dar es Salaam. Ally Abdallah, a resident of Ilala commented that, the film could have shown Nyerere’s efforts towards the liberation of southern African countries for which he was the Chairman of the front line states is such one aspect to be put in memory for the future generations not only in Tanzania but also for the benefits of the rest of the world.

This is the film cover of a documentary that bears the portrait of Tanzania’s father of the nation. The film is not sufficient with the contents it deserves to honour the father of the nation in culmination of the 50th anniversary in commemoration of the country’s independence celebrations.


As a general comment and expectations of many said that the film does not portray sufficient contents if it was meant to honour Mwalimu’s efforts as the nation is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence bearing the fact that, he had a reputable role to play for the attainment of the independence in 1961. When contacted for comment over the issue, the Director of the film Renatus Theophil said in a telephone interview that, when he asked for the permission to prepare this film he was restricted not to use some other parts of Mwalimu’s activities as they have been preserved as secret matters.
However, he could not even disclose who permitted him and for whom the work was intended, and instead he declined to say anything further. Social and political critics says that, the history of Mwalimu and the perils of nation building in Tanzania and Africa as a whole from before independence in 1961 to his retirement in 1985 is the idea of importance for the future generation of Tanzanians. Mwalimu led Tanzania into peaceful independence overcoming colonialism, internal divisions and cold war intrigue to build a unified nation that led the drive to liberate Southern Africa from white minority rule. While he never succumbs to corruption like many of his peers, Mwalimu dominated Tanzania politics for nearly 25 years. Without uncompromising idealism and piercing analysis, he inspired a generation with his vision for Africa as the “continent of hope for the human race”. He pursued his course out of his genuine desire to build a peaceful and prosperous society, and thus his failure cannot be attributed to greedy or other personal shortcomings but are rooted in deeper structural issues which continue to vex African leaders.

Local oil price fluctuations to continue unabated-EWURA

THE National Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (EWURA) has assured oil consumers in the country to continue receiving price fluctuations on oil petroleum products as the situation is determined by the change of prices at global market. In view of this, EWURA has reiterated its stance to continue issuing indicative prices in order to curb with any possible economic downfall which is likely to be caused by unscrupulous oil dealers in the country. According to the authority’s head of Communications and Public Relations Titus Kaguo, there is no way to avoid the recurrent oil price increase, and if left without control, unscrupulous traders might take the advantage of rising the prices according to their wish. EWURA is working hard to regulate petroleum products, and the firm has appealed to petroleum product consumers to ask for receipts from buyers in order to ensure that important details such as the name of the petrol station, the indicative price and date are endorsed. The control of oil price by EWURA will continue to be reviewed at fortnightly intervals as earlier announced due to the sudden increase in price at global market. This is in a bid to stabilize oil prices in the country an aspect that helps to curb with the emerging unscrupulous oil dealers in the local market.

Director General of Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority {EWURA} Mr. Haruna Masebu elaborating a point to journalists not in the picture in early this year when the authority increased power tariff to current levels.

EWURA which is a sole regulator of oil products in the country has of recent instituted indicative prices and the essence of doing this is after it had discovered that there was no fixed price for oil products which keeps on rising and falling according to the oil shortages. Apart from that, oil dealers had to make own prices that seemed to be extravagant higher than normal an aspect that caused public outcry. “The intervention by EWURA has helped to stabilize the price at local market” says Mary Sichalwe an economist based in Dar es Salaam According to her, oil is a driving engine of all economic resources of all sectors of the economy and if the government would let private stakeholders to control oil businesses in the country, they would arrange their own prices as they are after the profit and not the welfare of the citizens in the country. Before the introduction of indicative prices on oil products by EWURA, oil dealers took an advantage when shortages of this precious product occurred in August this year when scores of filling stations across the country refused to sell fuel for some days in protest over unrealistic reduction in prices instituted by EWURA. However, both EWURA and the Tanzania Oil Marketers Association (TAOMAC) confirmed that the periodic shortages are artificially created by some unscrupulous dealers who speculate on the movements of indicative prices. Two weeks ago, fuel shortages arose after EWURA had announced indicative prices which were lower forcing the TAOMAC to issue a statement condemning the malpractice. According to the statement, the association was disgusted after it claimed to have witnessed long queues and the rush to many filling stations in Dar es Salaam city following rumours that there were no fuel supplies something that EWURA dismissed as untrue statement. According to EWURA, the country has enough oil stock and that mere speculation intends to set a petroleum issue as a political agenda that the government would decide to increase the prices following the fall of a shilling against US dollar. In order to be on the safe side, EWURA introduced new indicative oil prices and issued a directive to various filling stations in the country to introduce fuel price caps indicating the maximum above which fuel must not be sold. Apparently, the price hikes this time round were attributed to the increase of oil prices at the world market. Other contributing factors usually include the relentlessly depreciating Tanzania shilling against US dollar which is traditionally taken as a standard in the world of commerce. It is steadily but surely becoming normal that the fortnightly price changes either way up or down come at a time when dealers still have considerable quantities of fuel in stock. The move is in a bid that oil dealers should not exceed the authority’s wholesale price caps and retailers should not overcharge the consumers.

Dar residents astonished as EID celebrations triggered high food prices

SOME food commodities were sold at high prices at most of the Dar es Salaam markets due to high demand by consumers during the just ended Eid-el-Haji celebrations, Food commodities mostly affected were those normally preferred during special religious occasions and big festivities. The high prices of such foodstuffs are normally characterized by a high demand by potential consumers. Shabani Abdallah, a wholesale trader at the Ilala market in the city said he bought 200 bags of rice from Mbeya and took only one week to dispose of the whole consignment. At other times, it would normally take him about a month to finish the lot. He said during such periods they reap big profits. A random survey at the city markets reveals that, a whole sale price of rice at Ilala market was sold at between Tshs. 140,000 and Tshs. 150,000 for a 100 kilogram bag and sometimes higher depending on its quality. A retail price of the same commodity was fetched at between Tshs. 1,600 and Tshs. 1,750 per kilo, and this is the price of the best quality rice compared to the previous price of Tshs. 1,400 and Tshs. 1,550 a kilogram respectively. At Buguruni market which is famous for selling bananas, prices were not normal as almost every essential food commodity was raised by 25 percent. Cooking bananas were sold at Tshs. 1,000 for a bundle of four pieces instead of the six pieces as it was used before. Ripe bananas were sold at between Shs. 200 and Sh. 250 each piece respectively instead of Shs. 100 and shs. 150 as it was before. According to one trader, Omar Salehe, there is no constant price for consumable products for most traders take the advantage of the festivities.

A congested part of the Kariakoo market at the heart of Dar es Salaam city.

The prices of mixed meat at Gongo la Mboto butcheries rose from the normal Tshs. 4,000 for a kilogram to Tshs. 5,000 a kilogram. This is an increase of 25 percent. Attributing for such a tremendous rise, Mvunda Kipelego a famous meat trader said that, the prices of cows at the nearby Pugu Cattle market were skyrocketed. The survey shows that, a steak meat and goat meat was sold at Tshs. 6,000 instead of the previous prices of Tshs. 5,000 per kilo. Exotic and local breed chicken were far from their normal price as these were rarely seen and apart from that, their prices were unaffordable to ordinary people. The survey can reveal that, a local breed hen was fetched at a lower price of Tshs. 10,000, and a cock at Tshs. 15,000. Exotic chicken were sold at between Tshs. 7,000 and Tshs. 9,000 respectively. However, they could be made affordable only during such festivities. Irish potatoes commodity from which a favourite fried chips is made as a popular food for most young residents including adults in the city of Dar es Salaam remained unchanged at Tshs. 1,000 a kilogram. This price has been virtually remained at a constant level for about two years now in almost all Dar es Salaam markets and their suburbs. The survey shows that, rice, meat cooking oil and Irish potatoes are the most preferred foods during festivities. Other food commodities and condiments such as tomatoes and onions had been sold at a minimum prices as their supplies is constant. A kilogram of onion has been sold at Tshs. 1,400 whereas tomatoes has been fetched at Tshs. 1,200 a kilo. However, market statistics from the main Kariakoo market from where all these commodities are purchased in bulk shows constant supplies of most of these commodities. But prices of such commodities rises up whenever there is a high demand says a market statician Mr. Nicolus Omolo. According to him, unscrupulous traders sometimes are to blame as they tend to rise up some food commodities during religious festivities as they take advantage of the celebrity for unknown reasons as they presume many people would emerge to buy their products. He further said that, the situation is unavoidable as the demand for such commodities surge up within a short time and then the prices falls down to a normal business trend when such festivities comers to an end.

The Ministry of agriculture attracted as many show goers than expected

The Ministry of agriculture and cooperatives was the most fascinating stall, which attracted most show goers. You can see the artificial exotic chicken breeds which were brought at the show ground. One would think these are real chicken by looking at them from far a distance.

Prime Minister’s office shines at Mnazi Mmoja show ground

A man looks at the photos of the preceding Prime Ministers of Tanzania who were displayed at the entrance to the exhibition ground organized by the Prime Ministers’ office in commemoration of the 50th anniversary cerebrations of the Tanzania’s independence at Mnazi Mmoja show ground a fortnight ago. The climax of this national cerebration would be marked on 9th December 2011 at Mwalimu Nyerere ground or Sabasaba ground.

Lack of spaces, who is to blame?

This scene is at the junction road of Kitunda and that one of Banana-Ukonga. It’s very absurd to note that, an open space reserved for pedestrians has been turned to be a parking site for motor-cycles popularly known as Bodaboda who do not pay even a road license. Despite of their presence, no one bothers their presence even the traffic police never take any action to control them.

Police verses daladala drivers in Dar es Salaam is always a shame

A traffic policeman who seemed to be desperate with the daladala driver at Gongo la Mboto bus stop, instructing a driver of this daladala who seemed to have violated traffic rule while speeding on the road. It’s very hectic in the morning during pick hours as most daladala drivers rush here and there without caring for the pedestrians. The above daladala driver who was forced to disembark had to face the law in court later in the evening when he was found to have committed several mistakes on the road.

How Mwanza is becoming a nice city

This is how the city of Mwanza is decorated near the NMB Bank at a round about. The place has become one of the most attracting spot for having been placed with a Nile perch statue, a common marine creature in lake Victoria.

This is how government officials forces bribes, aren’t they ashamed?

It was high time when officials from Singida Town Council who with the car which they had packed in front of the Mwanza bound Zuberi Bus with intention to block it from proceeding on with the journey when passengers on board disembarked and started exchanging abusive words. The officials claimed that the driver of the bus had refused to stop at Singida bus stop and as a council rule, he had to pay a fine of Tshs. 300,000/- cash for his disobedience or else go to police. When passengers heard of this they became furious and were about to exchange blows with the officials who after much discussions they decided to leave the bus and continued with its safari. I was among the passengers on board and the incident occurred in May this year.

Hotels constructed along the main roads offers high price foods

This is one of the finest hotels and a rest house which has been constructed near Gairo along Morogoro-Dodoma main road. Such hotels offers food and accommodation to would be passengers traveling along the road. But according to one traveler their costs are higher than normal. In January this year, the Assistant Minister for Transport Mr. Athuman Mfutakamba promised up-country travelers all over the country that, his ministry would try with everything possible to make sure that, they build rest houses for travelers along the main roads to relieve them of the great burden of the problem of helping themselves while on safari instead of going into the bushes, a thing commonly known as “Kuchimba Dawa” in Swahili language.

When Daladala messes up

A daladala which plies between Gongo La Mboto and Pasta recently got stuck at Gongo la Mboto and without help, the owner had to hire a break down for help. This mini bus went into the interior of the uswahilini area to pick people who had hired it for a wedding ceremony.

Dar becomes a notorious city in haphazard construction

Haphazard construction of residential buildings is increasing in the city of Dar es Salaam and on the outskirts of it as you can see the situation in this photo taken from Tandika Yombo recently. Despite of these developments and efforts shown by Temeke municipal council to control such unplanned settlements from developing, critics says that such areas will slowly develop into a slum settlements whereby the provision of social services and important infrastructures would becomes rather difficult in future.

Empowering local citizens through ICT knowledge

EFFORTS to bridge the digital divide by promoting the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools to the people particularly in peri-urban and rural communities in Tanzania has led to the emergence of knowledge sharing among the local citizens. Following the liberalization of ICT sector in the country, issues of internet access as a tool for knowledge building has been adapted to a greater extent by various ICT stakeholders in order to meet the need of the so-called the information poor. In view of this, ICT investment is progressively taking place in Tanzania and this is indeed a paradigm shift in knowledge transfer. It means Tanzania is booming as an active partner in ICT use and internet has played a most crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap between societies at a considerable rate. his shows that, the potential of ICT application and its investment if well utilized is going to transform education and reduce ignorance, poverty and diseases in the country. In order to fight against these three development impediments, the process actually needs a joint concerted efforts of all stakeholders. The establishments of Tele-Centres which are the alternative source for rural e-learning is essential for ICT investments as these provides related services such as ICT training, consultancy services, distance learning, and business trainings. This is quite distinct from such an ICT centre like an internet café which is purely a commercial entity providing access to long distant communication and information services using a variety of technologies including phones, fax, computers and surfing. In rural communities, mobile internet is the most appropriate to a larger audience that helps such communities to benefit from the ICT revolution by accessing information that is of specific relevance to the daily lives of the people for their overall development process. The philosophy behind the Tele-centres concept initiatives is to provide affordability to rural communities and ICT projects for good governance and inspires collaborative participatory private public community partnerships.

CMSA seeks for nominated advisors to stand for its equity market

CAPITAL Markets and Securities Authorities (CMSA) is looking for strategic advisors and their representatives in order to operationalize its Enterprise Growth Market (EGM) segment of the stock exchange. EGM is a recently established equity market by CMSA which is intended specifically for the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. A statement issued by CMSA says that, prospective advisors would be companies licensed by CMSA to undertake responsibility of nurturing and assisting an issuer for a public offer of securities and advising issuer listed on the EGM segment of stock exchange EGM which will later be launched by Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) once advisors are obtained will help small and medium enterprises that cannot access capital markets and also would help them obtain the needed capital for their expansions. The establishment of EGM comes about as a result of the recent study carried out by CMSA on the market structure most appropriate for the country. The study identified the need to change the existing structure to cope with the requirements of the economy as well as to facilitate the implementation of national policies aimed at economically empowering Tanzanians. Such policies includes policy on encouraging SME to grow, the National Strategy for Growth and Poverty Reduction (MKUKUTA), the Properties Business Formalization Program (PBFP-MKURABITA) and the Zanzibar Economic Growth Program (ZEGP-MKUZA).The implementation of the above mentioned policies, require a market segment which will cater for the needs of a section of the economy that up to now has not been able to tap into capital market, says CMSA spokesperson Mr. Charles Shirima. EGM will support the implementation of the above policies by creating entry to capital markets for entities which up to now have not had access to this opportunity. It is an envisaged as a new equity market segment that will exist in conjunction to, and complement the existing Main Investments Market Segment (MIMS) at DSE. With the liberalization of the Tanzanian economy, entrepreneurship is growing more and more and as a result the number of SMEs has been increasing and is expected to increase further. Coupled by this gradual growth, SMEs needs support. However, both the government‘s policy and strategic studies and capital markets studies have unequivocally shown that access to capital has been a key hindrance to the development of entrepreneurship and growth of SMEs. Creating an environment that is conducive to the growth and development of entrepreneurship and SMEs, is a key objective and an integral part of the government’s MKUKUTA program initiatives.

Iran donates 100 power tillers

IRAN will donate 100 power tillers in support of government's resolve to embark on the green revolution, popularly referred to as Kilimo Kwanza. The pledge was made in Dar es Salaam on Thursday by the Iranian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Mohsen Movahhedi Ghumi, when he paid a courtesy call on President Jakaya Kikwete at State House. Mr Ghumi said the power tillers worth 600,000 US Dollars were purchased with part of Iranian Development Grant to Tanzania. Last year, Tanzania signed an agreement with Iran in which the latter agreed to provide the country with 1.2 million US dollars in development grant. Part of the money has been used to purchase the farm implements and the remainder will be spent on construction of a modern health facility in Dar es Salaam. Under the agreement, Iran also agreed to provide the Zanzibar government with 1 million US dollars for procuring 50 powers tillers and use the remaining amount on purchasing fishing boats. The donation will be handed over by a senior Iranian leader scheduled to visit Tanzania, according to a statement issued by the State House Communication directorate. President Kikwete thanked the ambassador for the donation which he said was a big contribution towards realizing Kilimo Kwanza goals.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Minister Mwandosya upbeat as health improves

THE Minister for Water, Prof Mark Mwandosya who is admitted at Apollo Hospital here is upbeat about his current health condition and is looking to fly back home soon. The minister, recuperating after a surgery a couple of weeks ago, said here yesterday that he sees the time before he checks out from the hospital shorter than the period he has covered so far since he was flown to the hospital in June. ''I am better now and I can walk without crutches or any other support. Currently, I do some exercises and also go to the park outside,'' he said. He was talking to journalists covering the two-day India-Africa Business Partnership Summit who visited him at the hospital. He thanked Tanzanians for the prayers and best wish messages. 'I have sincerely been energized by the prayers and get-well-soon messages from my fellow countrymen and women,'' he said, as his daughter, Sekela, studying in Birmingham in the UK who flew here last weekend to see his father, was busy taking photos. The minister, wearing a broad smile, also said that he lost no hope battling for his life when a section of the Tanzanian press reported mid last month that he was dead. ''When people say that you are dead and in actual fact you are alive and kicking, then that is a good sign you will get well soon,'' he joked, when responding to a question querying how he felt about the death rumours. Explaining further about his illness, the soft-spoken and a bit-shy minister, further said that his neighbours in Tegeta area on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam were shocked when they heard the news that he was flown out of the country for further treatment.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Bilal to flag off Uhuru Torch race

VICE-President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal is on Friday expected to flag off the Uhuru Torch race here as the nation commemorates the 12th anniversary of the death of the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Mwalimu succumbed to leukemia on October 14, 1999 at St Thomas Hospital in London. Many will remember him for his liberation struggle not only for Tanganyika but the whole of southern Africa. He led Tanganyika to independence from Britain on the eve of December 9, 1961 through the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). A statement issued by Mara regional authorities on Thursday indicated that there would be a special Mass in commemoration of the fallen hero at his Butiama birthplace. Dr Bilal will also lay a wreath on Mwalimu's grave. During the festivities, religious leaders drawn from the Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA), Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) and the Hindu community will cite prayers for the late Father of the Nation. Dr Bilal is expected to light the Uhuru Torch and hand it to Mara Regional Commissioner, Mr John Tupa, marking the start of the race across the country.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

State House clarifies on Kombe's killers

THE government has refuted a report by a local tabloid that President Jakaya Kikwete reviewed death penalty to two police officers convicted of murder of a former director of intelligence, Lt Gen Imran Kombe on June 30 1996. The State House said in a statement that President Kikwete has never been involved in the clemency of the two convicts. The decisions on the presidential clemency on two convicts, Constable Mataba Matiku and Juma Muswa were reached before Mr Kikwete came into office on December 31, 2005. The tabloid had reported that President Kikwete reviewed the death penalty of the two convicts to two years imprisonment.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Experts tout modern farming

COUNTRIES, especially Africa, have been advised to invest a lot more in farming implements and infrastructure, and enhance public-private sector partnership in a bid to avert sporadic hunger. The advice was given on Wednesday by a panel of presenters during an agricultural forum held here and attended by various world leaders including Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda. The presenters said without the use of modern farming tools and implements such as tractors and power tillers, environmental friendly fertilizers and improving infrastructure to transport the produce, people will not benefit from agriculture. But they also noted that the involvement of the private sector in agriculture will improve the sector, particularly in Africa. The Chairman of Archer Daniels Midland, Patricia Woertz, said linking farmers with roads will enable them to transport home their farm produce, at the same time take cash crops to the market with ease.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Dar es Salaam launches new campaign against drugs

POLICE in Dar es Salaam have launched a new operation aimed at arresting drug traffickers and users, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Mr Suleiman Kova said on Thursday. Addressing journalists in the city, Mr Kova said that in line with the operation, 108 people were arrested for allegedly being involved in various crimes including drug traffickers, dealers and users. ''The operation has kicked off and already 108 people suspected to be drug traffickers, dealers and users have been arrested,'' he said and added that the operation started one month ago. According to Mr Kova, the suspects were found with a sack of khat being suppled in the city using a vehicle with the registration numbers T 419 ABZ. Mr Kova said another vehicle with the registration numbers T 693 BMZ carried three sacks of bhang that was being supplied by some suspects who were arrested. He named some of the suspects as David Fares, 28, Joseph Jerome, 20, David Denis, 15, and Hamis Khalifan.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Kikwete leads mourners in bidding farewell to veteran scribe

CCM Chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete on Thursday led hundreds of mourners to bid adieu to the late former party's assistant secretary of publicity, Mr Juma Penza, in Dar es Salaam.
The late Penza, one of the country's veteran journalists, was laid to rest at the Kisutu Cemetery, a day after succumbing from kidney complications. The deceased was admitted to the Hindu Mandal Hospital for treatment since October 5, before passing away on Wednesday night. He was 59. Deputy CCM Chairman Mr John Chiligati and the party's Publicity and Ideology Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, were among the top leaders at the funeral. "Let today journalists steal a leaf or two from the late Penza who was one dedicated, professional and righteous newsman during his hey days. "Having worked with him for years I always admired his zeal to disseminating accurate and objective news that never sowed hatred among the readers", said Mr Chiligati. Speaking at the deceased's Gongo la Mboto home on the outskirts of the city, Mustapher Penza, who is the son of the late Penza, said his father was suffering from kidney and liver complications, blood pressure and he had paralyzed on his right side. He said his father who was one of the earliest directors of the party owned Uhuru FM Radio, served as Press secretary to former Prime Ministers, the late Rashid Kawawa and Mr John Malecela.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

Prince of Wales coming to Dar es Salaam

THE Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) and the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting Tanzania early next month at the invitation of President Jakaya Kikwete. A statement issued by the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam on Thursday said the British royal couple will also be visiting South Africa at the invitation of President Jacob Zuma. "The British government has asked the Prince and the Duchess to undertake official visits to South Africa and Tanzania from November 2 to 9, this year," reads part of the statement. In Tanzania the Royal visit will be part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Independence. The Prince of Wales visited South Africa in 1997 when he introduced his son Prince Harry to Southern Africa. This will be The Duchess of Cornwall's first official visit to Southern Africa, though she has once visited privately. The Prince of Wales's last official visit to Tanzania was in March 1984. The Duchess has never visited Tanzania. Their royal highnesses' Commonwealth tour will focus on trade and investment promotion to support Britain's economic recovery and strengthen the economies of its partners. The tour will also focus on employment opportunities, development issues as well as education and practical support for disadvantaged young people and sustainability issues in the run-up to the Durban Climate Summit later in November.

SOURCE DAILY NEWS

Ocampo wants ICC to reject Kenya quest for evidence

The International Criminal Court prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has asked the court to dismiss Kenya’s request for evidence to help the government try more suspects of the post-election violence.Mr Moreno-Ocampo said the request lacked merit and that the government had not provided proof that it was conducting any investigations. The prosecutor’s move comes only days after he met Attorney- General Githu Muigai and Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko at The Hague where they made an oral request for the evidence. The two especially asked for the confidential documents Mr Moreno-Ocampo is using in his two cases. Kenya argued that accessing the evidence would advance its investigations on other perpetrators of the violence other than the Ocampo Six. “The court is clearly in possession of information and materials that are relevant to these national investigations into the six suspects as well as all other suspects,” the government says in an application filed by lawyers Geoffrey Nice and Rodney Dixon. But Mr Moreno-Ocampo says in his response that the Pre-Trial Chamber is under no obligation to provide cooperation to allow Kenyan authorities to exercise their responsibility. The government says that these materials, though helpful to its investigations, are not available to it especially in instances where the court is relying on anonymous witnesses.
SOURCE: DAILY NATION OF KENYA

Tanzania faces an acute shortage of sugar

More than 2,200 bags of sugar which were being smuggled into neighbouring Kenya through Rombo, Himo and Moshi rural districts, have been impounded, Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Leonidas Gama disclosed yesterday. Addressing civil servants in Hai township, during a day-long visit of the district to introduce himself, Gama said the sugar was now being sold in the region. The new RC who also met with district security and defense committee and councilors and inspected development projects said owners of the impounded vehicles and drivers were yet to come forward. The RC said if owners produced adequate documentary evidence as to the destination of the sugar, they would be given the money after sale of the commodity. “Otherwise the money will be directed into construction of secondary schools,” he charged Gama said it was common to see between 20 to 30 trucks parked at Himo town claiming to be shipping sugar to Rombo district, but after nightfall the traders transported it to neighbouring Kenya where currently a kilo of sugar sells for nearly 5,000/-. “When I asked the police why they were not seizing the vehicles and arresting the drivers, they replied that it was normally difficult to tell whether the destination of the consignment was within or outside the country,” he said. He alleged that owners of the consignment normally boarded smaller vehicles and dished out bribes to the police and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) officials to let the goods be shipped to Kenya.

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”