Wednesday 31 December 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Mwanza Guide 'online'

New Year is the time to celebrate a new beginning, a time to wish all clients, visitors and friends a happy new year - but, also a thank you very much for the year of 2008.



Ministry budgets Sh9bn for hospital renovations

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Vicent Mnyanyika

The Government has distributed over Sh8.8 billion to all regional hospitals for the renovation of buildings in a project aimed at raising the hospitals' status to referral centres.

Health and Social Welfare Minister David Mwakyusa said yesterday the Government had already started implementing plans to improve all main regional health centres to meet the growing demand for referral hospitals.

There are only four referral hospitals throughout the country, namely Muhimbili in Dar es Salaam, Bugando in Mwanza Region, KCKM in Moshi and Mbeya Referral Hospital.

Read full story.

Monday 29 December 2008

Mwanza city fails to take action on Minister`s order to clean fish market

From IPPMedia, Dar es Salaam
By Grace Chilongola, Mwanza

Mwanza City authorities have failed to monitor the clean-up of Kirumba International Fish Market after the seven-day altumatum they were given by Livestock Development and Fisheries minister John Magufuli, elapsed.

In a survey carried out by this paper, it has been observed that the market was still dirty despite the pledge by Mwanza City deputy mayor John Minja to the minister that it would be clean within seven days from the day the minister gave the order.

Seven days elapsed on December 18, but this paper observed that the market area was full of cobwebs, which irked Magufuli.

Read full story.

Sunday 28 December 2008

In Tanzania, storm rages over albino killings

From Daily Nation, Nairobi, KENYA

Dickson Kiligo has never felt as terrified ever since he was born with albinism in Dar es Salaam 18 yeas ago like he did this year.

Albinism refers to abnormal pigmentation in the body hair, skin or eyes resulting from a defective melanin synthesis.

For months now, this fairly common condition has been the cause of deadly fear in Kagera, Mara, Mwanza and Shinyanga regions of Tanzania, with people living with it targeted for witchcraft-associated killing.

Read full story.

Saturday 27 December 2008

Mothers of malnourished children undergo nutritional training

From IPPMedia, Dar es Salaam
By Correspondent Emmanuel Kihaule, Mwanza

Over 100 mothers of under-five-year-old children suffering from malnutrition in Sangabuye and Kabusungu villages in Mwanza municipality are undergoing a four-day training in nutrition that is being carried out by Plan Tanzania through its Mwanza Programme Unit.

The training is a result of a survey that was undertaken in the region by the organization, which found out that 8.7 per cent of children below the age of five were malnourished, hence high mortality rates among them.

"This was a serious concern and this is why Plan Tanzania has decided to conduct such training so as to tackle poor diet among the under-fives in the region," said Sophia Mhonzwa, a micro-nutrients point person with Plan Mwanza.

Read full story.

Young rebels with no cause

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By G. Madaraka Nyerere

A young man raised some commotion on a Dar es Salaam - Mwanza flight recently when it transpired after the plane landed that he had switched on his mobile phone on several occasions during the flight. He sat next to a woman with an infant.

Apparently having reached her tolerance limit, she asked him whether it was the first time he had flown on a plane, and asked him not to ever switch on his phone during a flight. The woman’s husband then joined to repeat the same words close to the face of the young man. The couple were travelling with four children.

Read full story.

Monday 22 December 2008

Another Kenyan bank enters TZ - and Mwanza

From Capital Business, Nairobi, Kenya
By BY ERIC LATIFF

NIC Bank has announced plans to acquire a 51 percent stake in one of Tanzania’s mid-sized commercial banks; Savings & Finance Commercial Bank Limited

The proposed acquisition of a majority interest in Savings & Finance Commercial Bank (S&F) marks NIC Bank’s first cross-border acquisition and underlines the Board’s growth strategy for expansion in the region. Following the imminent completion of the transaction, S&F will become a 51 percent-owned subsidiary of NIC Bank.

NIC Bank’s Chairman James Ndegwa said that the acquisition will complement the Bank’s organic growth as evidenced by the current rollout of a branch expansion strategy across Kenya. “This has been supported by the funding from the successful rights issue in November 2007 that raised Sh1.2 billion,” said Mr Ndegwa.

NIC Bank’s Managing Director James Macharia indicated that this transaction will enhance the Bank’s competitive position in the region, diversify its business and enhance services to its cross-border customers. “S&F is a natural partner for our growth and diversification efforts as it has reported steady growth and profitability.

In addition, its shareholders and directors have significant experience in the Tanzanian financial sector and this will definitely strengthen our competitive position,” said Mr Macharia.

Savings & Finance Commercial Bank was founded as a non-bank financial institution in 1994, converted to a fully-fledged Commercial Bank in 2005 and has branches in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Arusha.

Read full story.

Company to launch new trucks

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By The Citizen Reporter, Arusha

Scania will officially introduce its new version of trucks here today. The event will take place at a Flying Cargo Limited yard.

The Arusha branch manager of Scania Tanzania Limited, Mr Amin Karim, told The Citizen that the new generation trucks were consuming less fuel and had low gas emissions.

They also have a gear box called opti cruise which ensures less wear and tear for the vehicle and exhaust gas remission engines with limited gas emissions. According to him, since August this year a 62 such trucks have been imported into the country and that 33 of them have been delivered to local transport firms.

Scania (T) Limited has been operating in Tanzania since the early 1970s, selling trucks and buses, heavy duty industrial and marine engines as well as spare parts.

It has its main office along Nyerere Road in Dar es Salaam, with outlets for spares and services at the Ubungo bus terminal in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza.

Sunday 21 December 2008

Bulyanhulu workers donate 67 liters of blood

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Correspondent in Kahama

Bulyanhulu Gold Mine workers and their families have donated 67 litres of blood to the Tanzania Safe Blood Bank project, as part of their celebrations to mark the second family day.

The Bulyanhulu Safety and Occupational Health Superintendent, Dr Ghuhen Mtaita, said yesterday the workers volunteered to donate blood to save some patients in need of blood across the Lake zone area. “We intended to get 100 litres of blood.

Read full story.

NIMR to study HIV/AIDS lineage

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DASSU STEPHEN

A study to establish genetic factors leading to variations in HIV/AIDS infections will start next month, a senior scientist and Regional Director for the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Mwanza region, Dr John Changalucha, has said.

Dr Changalucha told the 'Daily News' yesterday in a telephone interview that the study would involve local experts in collaboration with foreign medical practitioners from the UK, Italy and France. They arrive in the country next month.

Read full story.

Thursday 18 December 2008

Anglers hand in illegal gear

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Patty Magubira in Mwanza

Over 2,500 pieces of fishing tools have been surrendered to authorities in Mwanza Region ahead of a crackdown on illegal fishing operators and anglers on Lake Victoria.

The crackdown which comes into effect next month, will be concurrently implemented in Kenya and Uganda. Regional fisheries adviser Angelius Mahatane told The Citizen that 226 of the surrendered fishing tools were beach seines popularly known as 'makokoro'.

Other surrendered items were 1,991 undersize gillnets and 334 monofilaments also known as 'timba', all blamed for destruction of fish resources in the lake.

Read full story.

Consultancy for MV Pamba repairs to cost sh297m

From The New Vision, Kampala, Uganda
By Mikaili Sseppuya

Ingo Schluter Marine Consultants has won the bid to provide consultancy services for the repair of MV Pamba.

According to a notice from the Procurement and Disposal Unit of the Privatisation Unit dated December 12, the firm will provide the service at 110,100 euros (about 297.2m) Taxes estimated at 19,29.41 euros (about sh52.4m), would be paid by the Government, the notice added.

MV Pamba is Uganda’s only remaining vessel on the Central Corridor route on Lake Victoria linking Uganda’s Port Bell to Mwanza in Tanzania and Kisumu in Kenya.

Read full story.

Tuesday 16 December 2008

NGO urges tough action against albino killers

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

Women Legal Aid Centre (WLAC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has expressed its disappointment over a low pace by state organs in tackling killings of albinos. WLAC Executive Director Scholastica Jullu yesterday issued a statement criticising police and other state organs for being slow in arresting and prosecuting the suspects.

“It is surprising to see perpetrators of these killings walking comfortably while albinos are living in fear," she said in the statement. Ms Jullu said the media was awash with reports of the killings. “We are, however, yet to witness legal action and results like conviction of those involved," she added.

WLAC has described the killings of albinos as something beyond normal violation of human rights, calling on NGOs, government organs and other stakeholders to join forces in fighting the vice. She said the state organs appear to be taking other murder incidents more seriously than those involving albinos.

The ruthless killings have caused widespread apprehension in Tanzania's albino community, and those who can afford are moving to urban centres where they feel safer. More than 60 albino children are currently staying at a school near Mwanza to ensure protection against assailants.

Read full story.

Individualist tendencies likely to kill East African federation - Mushega

From Daily Monitor, Kampala, Uganda
By Gerald Bareebe

The new East African Federation will break down if countries continue to chase national ahead of regional interests, the former Secretary General of the East African Community, Mr Amanya Mushega, has said.

Addressing participants at a workshop to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Law Institute (ILI) in Kampala yesterday, Mr Mushega said, “Once national interests have been formed, there is a problem in running regional organisation.”

“We (Uganda) closed the Mwanza route until there was chaos in Kenya and we realised we needed a route to Tanzania,” Mr Mushega said.

Read full story.

Sunday 14 December 2008

Tanzania-Food-Insecurity

AfricanPressAgency-Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Quarter a million Tanzanians are food insecure; says report

Over quarter a million people in Tanzania mainland are in a moderate food insecure group, the estimated food security conditions for the 4th quarter 2008 (October-December) by the Famine Early Warning System has revealed.

They include small scale farmers, pastoralists and fishing households from ten districts in the capital city-Dodoma, Mwanza City, Singida and Shinyanga regions.

Fishing households facing the food insecurity are those situated around the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika and the basins of Kagera, Rufiji, Ruvuma and Pangani rivers.

According to the report published ahead of the next crop harvest season scheduled in February, moderate food insecurity is due to the effects of the 2008 short rains failure, below normal performance of the long rains, increasing transport costs, and above normal increases in food prices.

Read full story.

Friday 12 December 2008

Starting Saturday, we will be flying to Mwanza thrice in a day

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Samuel Kamndaya

Precision Air has announced new measures to help it cope with the growing number of passengers.
The measures announced by the airline's senior officials in Dar es Salaam yesterday will see the airline filling the vacuum of air transport needs created by Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL).
The vacuum has come after Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) revoked ATCL of its airworthiness license, rendering the state-owned airline incapable of making local and international flights.

Read full story.

Thursday 11 December 2008

Elders informed of Nile Basin development

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
MUGINI JACOB in Musoma


Mara Regional Commissioner Issa Machibya has urged people living in Nile basin to join efforts being made internationally to protect the area against environmental destruction. Opening a one-day workshop for elders from Kagera, Mara and Mwanza, the RC urged the participants to use their knowledge, experience and influence to enhance the on-going- campaign against environmental hazards and other challenges facing the Nile basin, which is shared by equatorial African countries.

The elders most of them senior retired civil servants met at Afrilux Hotel in Musoma where they were informed of Nile basin development, the move that sought to enlist their participation. The workshop was organised by the national Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) office.

Read full story.

CBE Mwanza campus acquires land

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza


After only one year of its existence in Mwanza, the College of Business Education (CBE) Mwanza Campus, has managed to acquire about 20 hectares of land at Kiseke suburb, where the institution plans to build its own structures. The CBE Mwanza campus is currently located in the city centre's buildings, belonging to Nyanza Co-operative Union (NCU) which has simply rented them out to the former on a 10-year fixed term contract, effective December, 2007.

The CBE Management, however, told Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Mdarketing, Dr, Cyril Chami here over the weekend that it owes money to the tune of a whopping 170m/- to Mwanza City Council for the institution to be able to start developing the area as planned. "Considering the astronomical costs, the College hereby makes a humble request, to your ministry in particular and government at large, for a helping hand in clearing part of the debts", the CBE Principal, Dr Waycliffe Lugoe pleaded.

Read full story.

National handball tourney for Mwanza

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

The handball championship tournament will be held in Mwanza starting in the middle of February next year, it has been revealed. Tanzania Handball Association (TAHA) Deputy Secretary General Nicolas Mihayo yesterday told this paper that exact dates for the competition would be announced later.

Mihayo promised this tournament to be quite different from the one they had early this year when players were the ones watching their own games. “I know this year very few teams turned up and also people never showed any interest of watching games, but this time around, it will be a whole new episode.

Read full story.

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Rwandair Targets Six New Routes, Plans Other Fleet Acquisitions

From The New Times, Kigali, Rwanda
By John Gahamanyi

Currently the airline has a fleet size of three aircrafts including Boeing 737-500, which it recently leased from Air Namibia.

It has a capacity of 88 seats in economy and 20 seats in business.

Rwandair Express is planning to open up new routes to Dar es Salaam, Addis Abbaba, Mwanza, Lusaka and Kinshasa, by next year.

Management of the government owned carrier made the revelations on Sunday during a business dinner with the company's travel partners from South Africa.

Read full story.

Monday 8 December 2008

Regional leaders helpless as maize smuggling persists

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Mkinga Mkinga


Large quantities of cereals are being smuggled out of Tanzania to Kenya where the food shortage is increasing and prices are rising.

Kenya's food shortage has triggered price increases, enticing maize traders to seek cereals in Tanzania for sale at higher prices.
Kenya had poor harvests because farmers fled their farms when post-election violence erupted.

Although Tanzania has banned maize exports, The Citizen has established that smuggling is rampant and the Mara authorities seem unable to check it.


Read full story.

Sunday 7 December 2008

TRA still waiting on Alstom billions

From IPPMedia, Dar es Salaam
By Polycarp Machira

In the three months since the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) seized property and bank accounts belonging to Alstom Power Rentals Limited LLC, no breakthrough has been reached in recovering the staggering 14bn/- in back taxes.

Early this year, a whistleblower revealed the American energy company had evaded taxes for its operations in Mwanza City, prompting the TRA to seize the company's assets - Electricity Power Generating Plant - under a walking possession agreement, in which the assets are not removed from the debtor's property but are legally signed over to the debt collector, in this case the TRA.

Read full story.

Thursday 4 December 2008

BOA Bank donates 12m/- items to Mwanza regional hospital

From IPPMedia, Dar es Salaam
By Guardian Reporter, Mwanza

Financial institutions and commercial banks have been challenged to contribute to the health sector which for years has not been adequately supported.

Mwanza acting regional commissioner Samwel Kamote threw the challenge when receiving a donation of assorted items worth over 12m/-from BOA Bank Tanzania Limited to the Sekou Toure regional hospital here on Tuesday.

Read full story.

New passenger ship returns to Port Bell

From The Independent, Kampala, Uganda
By Patrick Kagenda

It is good news for holiday makers and businessmen. A Tanzanian owned passenger vessel is plying the Port Bell -Mwanza route weekly. Uganda last had a passenger vessel to Mwanza three years ago. That is because Ugandan owned ships MV Pamba and MV Kaawa have been grounded since 2005, while MV Kabalega rots away in the lake after a 2005 accident.

The reluctance by the government to restore the two vessels has effectively killed Uganda’s southern import/export route through Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, putting more pressure on the eastern route through the congested port of Mombasa, which increases transport costs and turn-around time for Ugandans.

Read full story.

8 CCM Leaders sue Mwanahalisi

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FAUSTINE KAPAMA


Eight Regional Chairmen of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) have sued the editor, printers and publishers of Mwanahalisi Newspaper, demanding a total of 4bn/- for defamation. They are Deo Sanga from Iringa, Clement Mabina from Mwanza, Khamis Mgeja from Shinyanga, John Guninita from Dar es Salaam, Nawab Mullah from Mbeya, Onesmo Ngole from Arusha,William Kusila from Dodoma and Hypolitus Matete from Rukwa.

Through advocate Abduel Kitururu, the political party regional leaders filed the suit at the High Court in Dar es Salaam. It will be mentioned on February 3, next year before Judge Aisha Nyerere. All five defendants have been ordered to file their defence on December 16, while the plaintiffs (CCM leaders) would respond on January 6.

Read full story.

Tuesday 2 December 2008

HIV/Aids prevalence rate drops in Mwanza

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

As Tanzania joined other countries in the world to commemorate World Aids Day yesterday, infection rate in Mwanza region has dropped from 9.2 per cent last year to 7 this year. A brief report on HIV/Aids voluntary testing, conducted here between December, 2007 and in May this year, suggests that while Magu district is leading with 1,881 people infected with HIV, an infection rate is 11.1 per cent.

According to the report, Ukerewe district has probably the lowest infection rate which currently stands at 3.9 per cent only. The report says that during the testing campaign, a total of 35,678 peole in Ukerewe district examined their health status, and 1,413 of them tested positive.

Read full story.

Monday 1 December 2008

Disruption of ferry schedules angers traders

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Jana Kajoki, Mwanza

Traders in Mwanza have expressed concern over the frequent disruption of ferry schedules saying it was costing them businesses.

The traders- using the Kigongo-Busisi ferry to carry their goods - said the frequent disruption of the MV Misungwi by regional leaders was causing them numerous losses.

Confirming that during a recent meeting of regional leaders, Sengerema district council chairman Matthew Lubongeja said he had also received numerous complaints from the traders.

Read full story.

Company announces discovery of nickel

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Patty Magubira, Mwanza

A mineral exploration company says it has discovered nickel at a second site in Bariadi District, Shinyanga Region.

African Eagle Resources, which operates in eastern and central Africa, announced last week that it had discovered commercially viable nickel deposits at its Zanzui exploration sites.

The company said earlier this year that a nickel had been discovered at its Dutwa exploration site, also in Bariadi District.

Read full story.

Sunday 30 November 2008

MV Serengeti to ply Uganda route

From The Sunday Vision, Kampala, Uganda
By Steven Candia

A Tanzanian ferry - MV Serengeti is set to begin plying Lake Victoria, connecting Mwanza (Tanzania) and Port Bell (Uganda), amid safety concerns and allegations of flouting of regulations and procedure by Uganda authorities.

Marine Service Company Ltd, a Tanzanian firm, last week ran an advert in the media announcing the commencement of the ferry’s services between the two ports.

“The passenger and cargo vessel MV Serengeti with the capacity of 350 tonnes and 690 passengers now operates along the route on a weekly basis. Freight and passenger charges are affordable,” the company said.

But the Transport Licensing Board (TLB), which regulates the transport sector, immediately dismissed as “illegal” the move by the company, saying the venture is riddled with breaches.

TLB also said the company had announced its operations in the country without registering.

Regional handball meet hangs in balance

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By SUNDAY NEWS Reporter

The Handball Senior Challenge Cup tournament hangs in balance as member countries are yet to respond to Tanzania Handball Association (TAHA) call to take part in the event. TAHA Secretary General Sudi Omary yesterday told the ‘Sunday News’ that they sent invitation letters to member countries but they are yet to receive any reply.

“We sent letters to Uganda, Kenya and Zanzibar associations inquiring whether they will come for the tournament but they have not yet answered us. “We wanted to set a convenient date for every one,” said Omary. However, Omary observed that yesterday they were scheduled to meet again and try to find out a solution to this quagmire. The tournament is expected to take place in Mwanza before the end of the year if all member countries are to come.

Read full story.

Saturday 29 November 2008

Residents 'shun clinics for publicising HIV test results'

From The Citizen, Dar es Salam
By Paulina David in Mwanza

Most people in Mwanza districts are no longer going for HIV/Aids tests at local clinics because workers at the health centres are publicising test results, an official has said.

Misungwi district council executive director Xavier Tilyeselekwa recently told a Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) meeting that people also lacked faith in health workers at local clinics.

"Many people now prefer the regional headquarters to local clinics because some health workers have a tendency to reveal test results to other people," he said.

Read full story.

Thursday 27 November 2008

JK orders probe into bus crashes

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Deogratias Kishombo and Gasper Andrew


President Jakaya Kikwete has ordered thorough investigations into the two bus accidents which killed 22 people and called for legal action against all those operating defective buses.

The directive is contained in a condolence message that the President sent to the Dodoma and Singida regional commissioners yesterday.

"If it is established that the accidents were a result of reckless driving or breach of traffic laws, all people involved should face legal actions as a way of combating the frequent accidents in the country," read part of the President's message sent to Mr Wiliam Lukuvi, the Dodoma regional commissioner and Mr Parseko Kone, his Singida counterpart, as well as the bereaved families.

Read full story.

Mwanza to spend 1.9bn/- on road repairs

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza


Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Mwanza Office has received over 1.9bn/- from the Road Fund for maintenance of roads in the region. The TANROADS Manager, Dr Leonard Kadashi said this at the TANROADS Board meeting, held yesterday to deliberate on the implementation of infrastructure development projects.

He, however, said the agency was yet to receive funds for development projects. TANROADS Mwanza plans to spend 440.4m/- on maintenance of 282-kilometre trunk roads, including the 132-kilometre Mwanza-Musoma stretch for 310m/- and 102-kilometre Mwanza -Shinyanga road that is estimated to cost 130.4m/-.

Read full story.

Wednesday 26 November 2008

African visitors arrive from Bray's 'twin town' Mwanza

From Bray People, Wexford, Ireland

MAYOR Leonard Bihonda and Joseph Mlinzi from Mwanza in Tanzania paid a flying visit to Bray and Wicklow last week, now that Mwanza is twinned with Bray.

After helpng to switch on the Christmas lights in Bray, Mayor Bihonda went to East Coast FM for his next stop, where the delegation showed a particular interest as they hope to set up a community radio station in Mwanza, Tanzania's biggest town, next year.

Two bus crash bodies identified

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Gasper Andrew, Singida

Two people out of 15 who died in a grisly bus accident at Sekenke escapement in Iramba district on Monday have been identified.

Singida regional police commander Celina Kaluma, named the deceased as Christopher Mwakabelo, a student at the University of Dar es Salaam and an inspector of Mohamed Bus Tans company, Issa Mgeja, 30. Mgeja had boarded the bus at Misigiri village, two kilometres from where the accident occurred.

Read full story.

Tuesday 25 November 2008

When would bus drivers ever learn?

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By The Editor

Negligence on the road by irresponsible drivers has once again resulted into loss of human lives in the country - very sad indeed. Twenty-two people were killed and 50 others injured in the latest spate of road accidents in this country, this time involving two buses - Zuberi and Saibaba - in Singida and Dodoma regions respectively.

Going by records, the two buses ring a bell as they have been involved in fatal accidents before, raising many eyebrows as to their safety records. It remains to be seen what authorities would do this time to take the two bus companies to task. Human life is sacred much as it is precious and should not be tampered with in any way.

According to initial police investigations, the two accidents happened as a result of vehicle defectiveness and sheer negligence. In case of the Singida accident, brake failure on a steep section of the road caused Zuberi, on its way to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam, to veer off the road before plunging into a river, killing 17 people.

Read full story.

Two accidents kill 22 people

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Gasper Andrew, Iramba

At least 22 people died yesterday and more than 80 were injured in two fatal road accidents at Sekenke escapement in Singida Region and Chinangali in Dodoma.

In the first accident, a Scania bus operated by Zuberi company, is reported to have veered off the road and crashed after its brakes failed.

By noon yesterday, only one body had been identified. Bodies of 16 other passengers killed in the accident and the injured had not been identified. But among the dead, 12 were males and five females.

The body of Issa Mgeja from Shinyanga is preserved at Iramba hospital. The injured passengers were rushed to Singida regional hospital where 16 bodies of the dead passengers are preserved.

On reaching Singida, the driver of the ill-fated bus which was heading to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam, had cautioned the passengers that the bus was defective and needed repairs for it to proceed.

Read full story.

Monday 24 November 2008

20 perish in road accidents

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DAILY NEWS Reporters

Twenty people have died and 50 others seriously injured in two road accidents involving buses in Singida and Dodoma regions yesterday. Fifteen died and 35 were injured after a bus christened Zuberi bound for Mwanza from Dar es Salaam overturned at Sekenke area in Singida Region yesterday.

Five others died on the spot and other 15 injured in an accident that occurred yesterday at Manchali area, involving a Saibaba Bus travelling from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam. Singida Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr Parseko Kone said the bus, with registration number T 677 AGJ, veered off the road after the driver lost control and plunged into a valley.

Read full story.

Sunday 23 November 2008

Varsity students’ strikes, demands dissapoint JK

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By SUNDAY NEWS Reporter


President Jakaya Kikwete has expressed grave disappointment on the recent spate of strikes by local public university students in the country over procedures used by students to demand their rights. The President said this yesterday during the 10th graduation ceremony of St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza.

He said that he had no problem with people demanding for their rights but do not have to strike, vandalise and insult people. He said; "I was once a student leader at the University of Dar es Salaam and I did such things. My problem is when students engage in misplaced arrogance, become rowdy, vandalise property and beat up those not part of the strike".

Read full story.

Friday 21 November 2008

Lack of toilets exposes Mwanza City residents

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Jane Kajoki, Mwanza


Only less than half of the people in Mwanza City are using proper toilets, officials have said.

The majority are exposed to waterborne diseases due to poor sanitary facilities.

Dr Meshack Masi, the regional medical officer, said a significant number of people on the outskirts of the city were using plastic bags, which they dump willy-nilly, each time nature called.

The city's official records show that only 47.2 per cent of the residents use proper toilets, while 139 institutions lack durable and quality latrines, he said during the occasion to mark 'Toilet Usage Day' at Saba Saba grounds.

Read full story.

Thursday 20 November 2008

90 pc of Tanzanians don’t use latrines

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

Over 10 per cent of Tanzanians pass waste from their bodies, including faeces and urine indiscriminately in the bush or around water bodies for lack of latrines. Statistics made public here shows that of all the existing latrines, about 52.8 per cent are either in a dreadful state of dilapidation or of sub-standard, while only 38.0 per cent of them can be regarded as 'decent and durable'.

The startling statistics are contained in the speech by Mwanza Regional Commissioner Dr James Msekela read on his behalf here at the "World’s Toilet Day', marked at national level here on Wednesday.

Read full story.

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Pupils protest as strike begins on wobbly note

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Citizen Team

Pupils from three Dar es Salaam primary schools took to the streets yesterday, asking the Government to pay their teachers so that teaching could resume.

The demonstration took place on a day a countrywide strike called by the Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) drew only partial support.

Teachers shunned the strike and reported for duty as usual at some secondary schools in Dar es Salaam. However, teachers at most primary schools in the region did not teach despite being present at their workplaces.

IN MWANZA, TTU in the region vowed to continue with the strike until "the last teacher is paid by the Government".

Read full story.

10 pupils share one book - Report

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Tom Mosoba

The number of students sharing text books in Tanzanian primary and secondary schools has deteriorated over the last five years, it has been reported.

The student to book ratio, according to a private study, has widened drastically from a national average of 1:3 in 2004 (Government statistics) to now a high of 1: 14 in Dodoma region as at September this year.

Other badly affected regions including Kigoma, Lindi, Mwanza and Mtwara have a ratio of between 1:10 and 1:13, according to the study carried by the Publishers Association of Tanzania (Pata).

Read full story.

Monday 17 November 2008

Airline starts Dar - Mwanza morning flight

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By The Citizen Reporter

Precision Air will today launch a morning flight between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.

According to a schedule, the plane will be departing from the Julius Nyerere International Airport at 7.30 am and landing in Mwanza at 9:40 am.

Marketing and corporate communications manager Annette Nkini said the new flight would enable business travellers to reach Mwanza in the morning.

"Some of our customers have been expressing desire to be in Mwanza before 10:00 am. With the acquisition of the new aircraft, that desire can now be fulfilled", she said.

Read full story.

Sunday 16 November 2008

Teachers divided over strike

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA


Teachers are sharply divided over which way to go...strike or go back to class, our random survey reveals. However, the President of the Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU), Mr Gratian Mukoba, has maintained that today’s strike remains as scheduled.

But his position is not shared by teachers in Mbeya and Mwanza regions, where teachers say they will not join in the strike. “TTU should address itself to more serious problems facing teachers…teachers are sacked from their jobs without proper procedures while others are mistreated by their education officers and the TTU takes no action,” some teachers said in Mbeya.

Read story in Daily News - here.

On a mission in Tanzania

From The Des Moines Register, Iowa, United States
By JANE ODLAND

After an overnight stay in Arusha, we all flew to Mwanza, where International Health Partners took us to the project site in Nyakato. Travel assistance for our team came from money given for mission work and other money raised specifically for our project.

Mwanza is known as "Rock City." Immense granite outcroppings on the steep dirt hillsides provide a striking backdrop to makeshift housing covering those hills. The city had no streets, sidewalks, utilities or sanitation.

Read full story.

200 children suffer from diabetes annually

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

An average of 200 Tanzanian children, aged below 15 are said to be affected by diabetes annually, a disease in which sugar and starch are not properly absorbed from the blood, it has been learnt.

The Director of the Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Dr Charles Majinge said this over the weekend when speaking at the 'Diabetes Day' event commemorated at national level here.At global level, he said, the number of diabetic peoples is estimated at 500,000.

Some 30 diabetic children, mostly drawn from Lake Zone regions of Mwanza, Shinyanga and Mara, went camping here for three weeks, as part of activities to commemorate the annual event. During the camping time the children received basic instructions on the management of their own health problems.

One of the diabetic children Ritta Raymond (15) said they had been advised to refrain from eating too much starch foods that contain carbohydrates.Besides cutting down carbohydrates, the children were also advised to do away with boredom.

Saturday 15 November 2008

Nyamagana Stadium to stay

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

At last Mwanza Councillors have agreed to protect the historic Nyamagana Stadium, which was facing demolition to pave way for construction of a business and leisure complex. Following the move, a rising tide of temper, resentment and hostilities among the majority of Mwanza City residents, particularly football fans and pundits, towards the city father's plan has subsided gradually.

The latest development follows a firm and difficult decision reached by the Councillors during their meeting, held here early this week to the effect that the historic sports field should be left alone as it in the sense that its use should not be tampered with.

Read full story.


Tuesday 11 November 2008

PRESS RELEASE

From WALL STREET JOURNAL, New York, USA

Lake Victoria Mining Company, Inc.: Kalemela Gold Project Triples in Size With Two New Acquisitions, Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt, Tanzania.

Roger A. Newell Ph.D., President and CEO of Lake Victoria Mining Company, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Company has acquired, subject to final payment, two exploration licenses (PL 2910, PL 3006) contiguous with the existing Kalemela License PL 2747. Once the acquisition is complete, the Kalemela Gold Project will contain over 260 square kilometers.

Dr. Newell stated: "This acquisition is an important opportunity for the company to expand its footprint in this prominent, productive and highly prospective gold belt. I'm very pleased to obtain these properties so early in our development of the Kalemela Project. Our recent assay and magnetic survey results on the existing license, PL 2747, suggests important geological structures trend into these two new licenses. These additional licenses certainly add to the potential for a substantial discovery in this famous mining district."

Read Press Release in full length.

Trades cash in as fake products swamp Geita

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Damian Darius

Geita Counterfeit products have flooded markets in Geita District, Mwanza, as unscrupulous traders cash in on desperate buyers.

The district has suddenly been turned into a dumping site of fake drugs, building materials and other basic commodities, posing a serious health and safety risk to people, livestock and the environment.

District authorities have declared war against traders selling phony products, but the battle seems too hard to win as the business has proved to be flourishing in most parts of the district.

Read full story.

Over 306m/- raised for Mwanza hospital

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

Plans to turn Pasiansi Health Centre in Mwanza city into a full-fledged hospital are under way, following a successful fund raising held here over the weekend that netted 306,893,510/-.

The ambitious 650m/- project got an impetus here when the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor David Mwakyusa, who officiated at the event, announced that 13.7m/- was obtained in cash. A total of 241.4m/- was in pledges while other well- wishers pledged donations of building materials worth 50m/-.

Read full story.

Friday 7 November 2008

Lake Victoria Mining Company, Inc. Kalemela Gold Project Continues to Advance Based on Encouraging Soil Assays

From Your Mining News, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Lake Victoria Mining Company, Inc. has received additional encouraging assay results from soil samples collected at the Kalemela gold project, about 125 kilometers east of Mwanza in northern Tanzania.

Roger Newell stated that these are the kind of gold-in-soil assays that encourage us to take the next exploration steps towards defining a mineable deposit.

Read full story here.


Shein wants water projects sustained

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

The Vice-President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to solve the problem of non-availability of clean and safe water facing Tanzanians both in urban and rural areas, in line with the 2025 Development Vision.

Dr Shein made the pledge here yesterday shortly after inaugurating a multi-billion shilling Mwanza water supply project, owned and managed by the Mwanza Urban Water supply and Sewerage Authority (MWAUWASA), at a newly built Capripoint's Treatment Plant.

The 52bn/- project is among four ambitious water supply ventures funded jointly by the Tanzanian Government, European Union and Germany Development Bank, "KFW'. The other projects are in Iringa, Mbeya and Dar es Salaam. The VP told the people who attended the function that water was the most indispensable resource and urged them to conserve and protect water sources at all costs.

Read full story.

Thursday 6 November 2008

Hail Queen Margrethe, hail Denmark

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By The Editor
Tanzania is presently playing host to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Prince Consort Henrik who are paying a four-day state visit. It is indeed an honour to have the Royal Couple here, considering the friendly relations between the two countries that have existed for a period of four decades now.
As President Jakaya Kikwete said at a state banquet in honour of the Queen and prince consort, Denmark has been a friend indeed during both good and difficult times. In fact the people of Tanzania have benefited greatly from generous development and technical assistance from Denmark.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Sell more shares bank urged

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Patty Magubira, Mwanza

The CRDB Bank Mwanza shareholders have called on the bank management to offer more shares for sale.

"We would like to invest more in the bank as it is stipulated in your vision and mission statements," noted a participant at the shareholders meeting.

The event drew shareholders from Nyamagana, Ilemela, Ukerewe, Sengerema, Kwimba, Magu, Misungwi and Geita districts - all of Mwanza Region.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Women for boat races

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Suleiman Jongo

Lake Victoria Balimi boat race organisers have included women in this year's championships expected to take off in Nansio, Musoma, Mwanza and Bukoba.

A Tanzania Breweries Limited official, Fimbo Butala, said the first race will get underway on Saturday in Nansio while Musoma competitors will have their turn on November 15. TBL sponsors the races.

The third event will be held in Bukoba on November 22 and Mwanza will host the event on November 29. Winners from the four events will convene for the finals to be held in Mwanza on December 6.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Tuesday 4 November 2008

Kabaka shines in SHIMIWI meet

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JOHN NDITI in Morogoro

Badaka Kabaka from RAS of Mwanza beat Sikitu Chande of the Ministry of Information Culture and Sport to emerge women’s champion in draft in the ongoing inter-ministerial and government games SHIMIWI here yesterday.

Though Chande finished second, she became the second female in the ministry of Information Culture and Sports to get a medal after Rahabu Kibona secured gold in short put event.

The third runner up sport was grabbed by Maselina Mashumbuzi from the High Court team while in male category Juma Popa from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare took gold medal. Boniface Nyigo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation was second and Johnson Ndigo from Ministry of Infrastructure Development settled third.

Read full story in Daily News.

Man guns down friend in freak accident

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Patty Magubira

Mwanza Police in Mwanza are holding a Tanzania Roads Agency (TanRoads) engineer allegedly for accidentally gunning down his friend.

Mwanza regional police commander Jamal Rwambow said Felix Ngaila alias Mulima's pistol went off accidentally killing his disabled friend, Franchis Mkondo alias Mangala, 43, at about 2.30pm at Mwashibula Malya village in Kwimba district on Sunday.

The duo left the city using a Toyota double-cabin vehicle to Mangala's home village to inspect farms, the TanRoads engineer intended to buy.

On arrival at the village, the duo picked Mangala's relative, Paul Nhibula, 47, to help them look for suitable farms for purchase.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Monday 3 November 2008

Community Airlines to re-start in December

From East African Business Week
Written by DANIEL SAID


DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA-A privately owned air cargo and passenger service operator in the Tanzanian skies, Community Airlines, which suspended its services a few months ago, will next month start domestic flights in Tanzania.

The airline was started early this year and its operations were suspended in August on reasons that were not made public.

The airline nicknamed “Budget Airline” due to its cheaper fares was established “purposely for stimulating a new market in the country which has not yet been fully tapped."
Speaking to East African Business Week last week from Dodoma, a senior official with the airlines who preferred anonymity said the company had hired an aircraft that would take up the routes between Mwanza, Musoma, Bukoba, Shinyanga and Kigoma towns.

Read full story in East African Business Week.

Sunday 2 November 2008

Mwanza female cyclist wins SHIMIWI’s 16 km race

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JOHN NDITI in Morogoro

Cyclist Salome Shimba of Mwanza’s RAS won the 16- kilometre race of the ongoing Inter Ministerial and Government Department Games (SHIMIWI) here yesterday. Using Phoenix bicycle, Shimba needed only 28 minutes to accomplish what the organizers thought would take 45 minutes.

The first runner-up spot was grabbed by Hilda Masanghe of RAS of Coastal Region while Sophia Fungameza of the High Court came third. In the men’s category, Hassan Likoneko of the High Court was crowned champion using only 27 minutes while Abdalla Okumu of Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism came second and Rajab Salum from Vice-President’s office finished third.

Read full story in Daily News.

Friday 31 October 2008

TRL: Raise fares by 50pc

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Kimani Kim

The Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) has requested the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) to accept its proposal to raise passenger fares by 50 per cent.

It said the increase is sought for all classes of coaches. If effected, fares for third class passengers will rise by between Sh2,800 and Sh10,000.

The proposed third class fare from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro (202km), currently at Sh5,500, will be Sh8, 300, for the journey that costs Sh6, 100 by bus.

The proposed fares to Dodoma are Sh12,600, up from Sh8,400 for the 465km journey while Dar to Tabora (850km) would cost Sh19,100 from the current Sh12,700.

Other new fares from Dar are Shinyanga Sh22,400, Mwanza Sh25,400 and Kigoma Sh25,700.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

NSSF to construct Machinga complexes in Arusha, Mwanza

From IPP Media, Dar es Salaam
By Rose Mwalongo in Dodoma

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) plans to put up two commercial buildings for petty traders in Mwanza and Arusha municipalities, the House was told here yesterday.

Labour, Employment and Youth Development Deputy Minister Dr. Makongoro Mahanga said this when responding to a question by a Special Seat MP, Maria Hewa who had wanted to know whether NSSF had taken heed of the advice by a special committee on Social Welfare, gender and children to construct buildings for various projects including for petty traders in the two major cities.

Read full story in The Guardian.

Monday 27 October 2008

Orphanage needs Albertans' help

From 660 News, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
By Todd Kaufman

A group of caring Albertans are busy trying to make a difference for an orphanage in Africa.
The group is attempting to fill a huge shipping container with life's necessities for the children to be shipped over to Mwanza in the spring and they desperately need Albertans' help.

The Starehe Children's Home in Mwanza, Tanzania is run by Ron and Loudell Posein from Barrhead, Alberta.

Everything from helping hands, financial support and everyday items such as baby soap, clothing and farm equipment are needed.

One of the volunteers, Bev Morgan tells 660News on Sunday, the children are so appreciative with even the simplest things.

For more information or if you want to help - you can go to their website at http://www.tanzaniastarehe.blogspot.com/ or call 403-256-1949 or 403-399-2061.



Sunday 26 October 2008

Mwanza resident wins Redds Fashion Award

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

Said Tambwe of Mwanza won the Redds African Fashion Design Awards (RAFDA) competition that was held at Kempinski Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Friday night. Led by Nelson Mandela shirt designer Sonwabile Ndamase, a panel of judges unanimously agreed that Tambwe deserved the ticket to go and represent the country in RAFDA fashion gala set for Botswana later this year.

Read full story in Daily News.


Saturday 25 October 2008

FEWS Food Security Outlook Oct 2008 - Mar 2009

From ReliefWeb, New York, United States



- The majority of the population in both rural and urban areas is currently food secure. However 240,544 people in localized areas of ten districts in Mwanza, Shinyanga, and Singida regions are moderately food insecure due the effects of 2008 vuli crop failure, below normal performance of masika rains, increasing transportation costs, and above normal increases in food prices.

- In the fourth quarter of 2008, households will likely remain generally food secure. Food prices will increase seasonably, but most households will have sufficient access given good recent harvests. The vuli and msimu rains will start on time, enabling agricultural activities to resume, generating income earning opportunities. The vuli harvest in January/February will increase food availability and access.

Download full report (pdf format - 249,6 Kbytes).

Read full story in ReliefWeb.

Friday 24 October 2008

Mwanza executes 14bn/- Tasaf projects

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

Various health, education, water supply and infrastructure development projects worth 14bn/- have been executed in Mwanza Region during the last two years, officials said.The projects were jointly executed by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), district councils and communities.

Read full story in Daily News.

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Baby home charity night

From Crewe Chronicle, Crewe, Cheshire, UK
By Simon Halewood

A COUPLE are aiming to raise funds for a Tanzanian orphanage set up by their daughter with a 1960s event at Sandbach Town Hall.

Tickets are on sale for Val and Dave Lithgow’s charity night on December 13.

All the money raised will go to the Forever Angels Baby Home in Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city.

Val and Dave’s daughter Amy Hathaway and her husband Ben moved to the East African country six years ago and adopted two children, Barnabas, five, and Tia, two.

Read full story in Crewe Chronicle.

Mwanza teachers seek permit to stage demo

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Paulina David, Mwanza

Teachers in Mwanza City yesterday resolved to stage a demonstration to push the government to pay their outstanding claims in allowances and other dues.

Some teachers who converged at the Gandhi Hall to deliberate on the fate of their countrywide strike halted by the Labour Division of the High Court, asked union leaders to seek a permit to demonstrate.

"We're no longer in the mood to continue teaching. The TTU (Tanzania Teachers Union) must ensure it obtains permission for us to make a peaceful demonstration so that we can air our grievances," one of the teachers said.

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Danish queen to visit Tanzania next month

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Anne Robi

Danish Queen Margrethe II will visit Tanzania for four days starting November 3 at the invitation of President Jakaya Kikwete. Danish Ambassador Bjarne Sorensen told reporters in Dar es Salaam, the queen will be accompanied by her husband Prince Consort and representatives of 40 companies.

Read full story in Daily News.

Journalists discuss religious leaders’ mining report

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MUGINI JACOB in Mwanza

A total of 30 journalists from minerals producing areas in the country are gathering in Mwanza city to discuss the latest mining report released by top religious leaders in Dar es Salaam last week.The three-day workshop has been organized by the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) and sponsored by the Norwegian Church AID (NCA).

CCT’s Communications and Media Advocacy Officer Rev John Magafu, said here yesterday at the end of the workshop the participants would be deployed in mining areas to make critical analysis of the report.He mentioned the target mines to be visited as Geita, Bulyanhulu, North Mara, Nzega and Buzwagi which is still under development.

Read full story in Daily News.

Monday 20 October 2008

JK orders crackdown to stem murder of albinos

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Orton Kiishweko


President Jakaya Kikwete has called for a thorough crackdown on people behind the murders of albinos in the country.

His orders follow a countrywide outcry over the killings amid reports that more than 50 albinos were murdered since March last year.

The murderers are said to be using albino body parts in their superstitious search for riches. More than 58 people have recently been arrested in Mwanza, Mara, Kagera, Shinyanga, and Mbeya regions where the belief is rife among fortune seekers.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Sunday 19 October 2008

Albinos strike for protection

From Africa News, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
By Deodatus Mfugale, AfricaNews reporter in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The albino community in Dar es Salaam on Saturday took to the streets to protest against the killing of their members and urged the government to do more to protect them.

Killing of albinos of all ages is taking roots in the country as 30 of them have lost their lives within the past 12 months, with the highest number of killings taking place in the lake regions of Mwanza, Mara, Kagera and Shinyanga. Isolated cases have also been reported from Mbeya region.

The killings are spurred by superstitious beliefs of making quick money as witchdoctors advise their clients to get organs and body parts from albinos so as to become rich. Crime scenes are very gruesome - legs, hands, lips, fingers and toes are chopped off from the victims. No one has so far been convicted of the crimes although several people have been charged.

Read full story in AfricaNews.

Saturday 18 October 2008

Only 80 vessels safe, regulatory body says

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Paulina David in Mwanza

The Sumatra safety officer in the Lake Zone, Mr Alfred Waryana, told journalists in his office that out of 1462 vessels inspected in Mara and Mwanza regions, 1,384 were not qualified to operate on the lake.

He said only 78 vessels were qualified to operate on the lake.

Almost all other vessels were either found faulty or having no essential facilities.

These include fire extinguishers and life jackets.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Don't sign blank papers, union cautions teachers

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Citizen Team

The Mwanza City TTU chairman, Mr John Kafimbi, said: "We urge you to be extra careful at this time when teachers countrywide are demanding their rights,including their allowance arrears, as you may be tricked into signing something, which lacks validity."

Mr Kafimbi was addressing hundreds of teachers, who had gathered at Gandhi Hall in the city, to deliberate on their planned countrywide strike, which was blocked by a court order early this week.

As the Mwanza teachers were being cautioned against appending their signatures to the "suspect" documents, in Dar es Salaam, the TTU went to court to contest an injunction granted by the Labour Court, barring them from going on strike.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Thursday 16 October 2008

Mwanza fish market members end strike

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JACOB KAMBILI in Mwanza

A week-long strike of Mwanza-based Mwaloni International Fish Market members has ended here amicably, following regional CCM's timely intervention.

Addressing a public rally at the market place on Tuesday, Mr Clement Mabina who previously held talks with Mwaloni Traders' Development Society (MWADESO), told audience their concerns had already been addressed.

He told them how he was extremely dismayed that his previous advice was not heeded by the city fathers, when he was on long tour of Ukerewe District. “The truth is that CCM had ordered the City Council to cease its contract with a tax collecting agent ", he revealed.

Read full story in Daily News.

Albinos threaten to seek refuge in other countries

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Consesa John

Addressing a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the chairman of the Albinos Association Tanzania, Mr Ernest Kimaya, said presently 26 albinos have reportedly been killed, most of them women and children.

He said no suspect had been jailed as a result of the ritual killings as most went scot-free.

"We might be forced to seek refuge in a safe country if the Government will not make enough efforts against albino killings," he stated.

Mr Kimaya said since the Government had not been using enough power to control albino killings they would make a demonstration to act as a wake-up call so that the Government deals with the problem.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Archbishop grieves for victims of mining abuses

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Orton Kiishweko

The film depicted various situations to show how Tanzania is failing to benefit from gold mining activities and was screened at a public forum in Dar es Salaam.

The report, the second by religious leaders, detailed the living conditions of local artisanal miners in Nzega in Tabora, Bulyanhulu in Kahama and Geita in Mwanza following physical visits and interviews.

Archbishop Mokiwa was among the clerics' group which visited these areas on a fact finding mission.

Religious leaders from the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), the National Council of Muslims in Tanzania (BAKWATA) and the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) attended yesterday's press briefing.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Teachers' go-slow paralyses learning

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By The Citizen Team

The Government on Monday obtained a temporary court order restraining public school teachers from going on strike from yesterday.

A survey carried out in Dar es Salaam and other regions showed that teachers largely turned up for work, but stayed idle the whole day.

However, the national Form Four examinations that began last week were not affected.

Reports from Mwanza, Tarime, Rorya and Kigoma districts indicated that many teachers did not report for duty, vowing not to resume duty until the Government gave in to their demands.

Read full story in The Citizen.

Sunday 12 October 2008

Mwanza call up ’Dibo’, Makani

From ThisDay, Dar es Salaam
By JAPHETH KAZENGA


TOP Dar es Salaam-based basketball players Mohamed Ally ’Dibo’ and Jije Makani have been named in the Mwanza regional men’s basketball team that will compete in the Taifa Cup tournament scheduled for later this month in Dar es Salaam.

Skipper Kizito Bahati told THISDAY by phone from Mwanza yesterday that the inclusion of Dibo and Makani aims at strengthening the squad.

The two players, who hail from Mwanza, are part of the 17-man ’Rock City’ squad which is yearning to win the trophy for the first time.

Read full story in ThisDay.