Mwanza woman knocks speeding plane, dies

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By From PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

A WOMAN aged between 25-30 years, whose name was not immediately obtained, died after knocking an aircraft while it was taking off from Mwanza Airport heading for Dar es Salaam, at around 9pm on Wednesday.

Confirming the incident to the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, the Acting Director General of the Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA), Mr Richard Mayongela, said the accident occurred as the woman suddenly invaded the runway from the western side of the airport.

According to Mr Mayongela, the side which the victim used to trespass was not fenced, making it easier for her to approach the runaway only to meet her death as the FastJet aircraft was also gaining momentum, ready to fly.

“We are not in the good picture to ascertain what prompted the now deceased to enter the runway, but our experts are still working on the whole matter as we are speaking now,” he said.

The DG, however, said all the precautions that are observed when aircrafts land and take-off, including inspection of all crucial parts of the airport such as runways, were taken accordingly.

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Mwanza to fight illegal fishermen

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

MWANZA Region has outlined various strategies for the year 2018. Fighting illegal fishing and narcotic drugs come on top of the list with reports indicating that the two vices are recurring in some areas.

The Regional Consultative Council (RCC) that met last week under the chairmanship of the Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Mongela, was told of massive incidents of illegal fishing that are going on despite control measures by security organs.

Reporting the incidences of rampant illegal fishing, the Sengerema District Commissioner (DC), Mr Emmanuel Kipole, called for a stiffer regional coordination in fighting the culprits who appear to be influential and well equipped.

He said that he had official reports that almost half of the fish bought by the fish processing plants in Mwanza are substandard and fished illegally using illegal fishing gear - a situation that is dangerous to health. The DC said he had implemented several actions against the practice, but tricky culprits easily sneak to other parts of the region.

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MV Umoja now operates to Port Bell from Mwanza

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

THE Marine Service Company Limited (MSCL) has launched trips to Port Bell Uganda by using its cargo ship ‘MV Umoja’, the ‘Daily News’ has learnt. MV Umoja made its first trip to Port Bell in Uganda on December 23, 2017.

According to the company Acting General Manager, Mr Eric Hamissi MV Umoja carried 1,200 tonnes of cement from Mwanza to Uganda. He said the launching of Mwanza-Port Bell route basically creates a great opportunity for traders in two countries to operate profitable business since water transport was cheaper compared to other means.

He said MV Umoja, which ‘wagon ferry’ designed is capable to carry up to 22 wagons at once. “This is a special ship for carrying cargoes, which are already loaded in wagons, it has a railway-line within, thus when it docks at Port Bell, the train engine pulls the wagons out direct to the next destination,” he said.

However, Mr Hamissi said since the railway line from Port Bell to Kampala is currently out of use, MV Umoja has been forced to carry loose cargo to Uganda. “Last year when President John Magufuli visited Uganda, he agreed with President Yoweri Museven to rehabilitate Port Bell-Kampala railway line, therefore upon the completion of the rehabilitation, we will be able to carry cargoes in wagon as planned since then,” he noted.

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Armyworms overrun farms within Lake Zone

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE government has reported an invasion of a dangerous crop killer worms that have since destroyed some farms around the country.

Announcing the presence of pests known as Fall Army Worm or Maize Leaf worm and measures to contain them, the Minister for Agriculture, Dr Charles Tizeba said here at the weekend that all the regions, in particular the Lake Zone, should take immediate measures to eradicate the vermin.

He cited the areas already affected as Kakonko district in Kigoma region and Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera region as well as others in Mwanza region.
“This worm is reported to originate from Southern Africa … particularly Zambia and is well known for its attacks on beans, maize and even cotton. I urge all the regions to take measures as soon as possible,” he said.

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Vet or register afresh all driving schools to eliminate ‘rogue riders’

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Correspondent REHEMA KULWA

AS you read this article, kindly put politics aside and ask yourself who is pleasing or serving whose interests when rogue motorbike riders are awash everywhere and cause the deaths of innocent Tanzanians in the name of them “being at work” and business as usual?

In a nutshell there is madness in bodaboda industry that must be brought to a halt willynilly because we have laws and regulations which must be respected by all citizens regardless of who in the society and particularly in the roads.

Many articles have been written and people have spoken their minds that bodaboda industry, despite providing employment to the youth, is infiltrated by individuals who do not deserve to be there, but instead jails, because first they are not licensed riders by any authority, and therefore, pay no respect to human lives and instead hide there to dent the industry.

The story may be long, but drive along the roads in any urban area in the country and don’t be surprised by the bodaboda riders riding recklessly, endangering lives and overtaking left and right, and to make it worse hurl all sorts of nasty and lewd insults to you if you happen to be a female driver, cautioning them to abide by traffic rules.

These guys, to some extent, call fellow men ‘shangazi’ (aunties) who happen to remind them that they are endangering their lives and their passengers whenever they speed and crisscross the roads haphazardly without hooting or within a twinkle of an eye.

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Remote places to benefit from ambitious drug supply scheme

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE supply chain of drugs has recorded an historic landmark in the country as Mwanza Region will from next month use drones to supply drugs in not-easily-accessible areas, particularly in Ukerewe Island.

A team of officials from the World Bank and Mwanza regional authorities recently witnessed the first launch of the initiative dubbed Lake Victoria Drone Expo & Challenge (LVC) which will make it easier and more convenient for the Medical Stores Department (MSD) to supply drug kits to the island.

The MSD Director General, Mr Laurian Rugambwa Bwanakunu, said the supply of drugs and medical equipment was very expensive but using drones would not only make it less expensive but will facilitate timely delivery of drugs in hard-toreach areas, starting with Ukerewe.

He said the drones would be more helpful in delivering drugs mostly required in emergency cases, including vaccinations, poisons resulting from bites and blood. “Lately, the supply of drugs cost more than 3bn/- per year; therefore the pilot implementation of LVC in Mwanza Region would produce new statistics of the costs involved in the supply chain for the near future,” he said.

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Optimism high as Mwanza Investment Guide kicks off

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By NASHON KENNEDY in Mwanza

THE Mwanza regional administration has officially launched ‘Mwanza Investment Guide (MIG)’ to propel investor interest in the Lake Victoria-side region that has all the hallmarks of one of fastest growing economic hubs in the East African regional bloc.

Speaking during the launching ceremony held here on Monday and attended by people who included Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela (photo), said the economic guide would enable investors to explore the available opportunities in the region as she will become the centre of excellence for investment issues for the East African Community (EAC) member states - Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

government officials and Members of Parliament, the MIG was prepared by the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) under United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) funding, aimed at pushing the region into a middle income economy by 2025.

“We are developing a scientific process to attract both domestic and foreign investors into our region as we have solid security for investments,” said Mr Mongela.

On the President John Magufuli’s recent directive for each region to establish 100 small and medium-sized industry every year, Mr Mongela said he would meet the district commissioners for the region’s seven districts to chart strategies for implementation.

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Three in court over phone tampering

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THREE people have been arraigned before the Mwanza Resident Magistrate’s Court for attempting to tamper with blacklisted phones.

According to the charges read before the Resident Magistrate Wilbert Chuma, Principal State Attorney from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Mr. Johannes Kalungula alleged that on 17 August 2017, one Daudi Mayunga Masesa (43), a resident of Mkuyuni Tambukareli in Nyamagana Municipality attempted to commit an offence by tampering with a phone.

He mentioned the phone as a Samsung Galaxy Prime with IMEI numbers 354772087347213 and 354773087347211 with serial number R58J61EY6SJ, saying the offence was contrary to section 135 and 154 of the Electronic and Postal Communication Act number 3 of 2010.

In the second count, Mr. Kalungula alleged that Masesa was charged with an offence of tampering with blacklisted phones on an unknown date in 2017 within the City of Mwanza knowingly and willingly.

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WB calls for public, private sectors open dialogue

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

THE World Bank said yesterday that only honest dialogue between the public and private sectors will enhance Tanzania’s pace towards becoming a middle income economy.

The World Bank Country Director, Ms Bella Bird, told a seminar jointly organised by the bank and the National Business Council (TNBC) in Dar es Salaam that the voices raised by members of the private sector are important in eliminating challenges that are inimical to growth and economic development.

She said the voices from the private sector will highlight the challenges that constitute frosty environment in doing business in Tanzania and those challenges will be solved. Early this month, while in Mwanza, President John Magufuli praised the World Bank as a considerate, honest and consistent supporter of Tanzania’s development efforts.

“There must be trust between the government and the private sector. That is why I believe the voices from the private sector are necessary to be able to know the kind of challenges investors are facing,” she said.

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Trade boost gathers momentum

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

UGANDAN importers and exporters will no longer need to brave the long journey to Dar es Salaam to clear their shipments, thanks to a move by the government to open a dry-port in Mwanza.

President John Magufuli said, yesterday, during a joint press conference with his host Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, at Masaka State Lodge that the two countries need to boost economies through trade relations.

The two leaders directed ministers responsible for trade from both sides to discuss the best ways to boost business, for the benefit of ‘wananchi’ and the nations at large.

The two leaders were speaking on the issues they had discussed during their meeting in Masaka. President Magufuli is in three-day state visit in Uganda. He said that in a bid to boost trade between the two countries’ traders, goods that will be shipped in the country through Dar es Salaam Port will be received in Mwanza by Ugandan traders.

“This means that Ugandan importers, clearing agents and exporters will be able to clear goods in Mwanza without having to travel to Dar es Salaam,” said the Head of State. President Magufuli said both sides need to put more efforts to make sure there is improvement in doing business.

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GBV cases decline in Mwanza markets

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

GENDER based violence incidents in six markets of Mwanza Region have decreased, thanks to the efforts by a non-governmental organisation - Equality for Growth for sensitizing women traders in the informal sector.

The chairpersons of the six markets of Igogo, Mlango Mmoja, Mwaloni, Mwanza Central Market, Kirumba and Mkuyuni in region confirmed the reports, saying the development has helped women to operate on equal footing with men.

The Equality for Growth (EfG) teamed up with journalists to visit markets in the City and Ilemela Municipal council, establishing that awareness creation against gender based violence against women yielded better results.

The Mwaloni Fish International Market chairman Mr Fikiri Magafu said yesterday that women at the market are now conducting their businesses without being abused by male traders.

“The women’s rights were not recognized by male traders, and in most cases, some men traders refused to settle their bills and women did not know whom to approach to present their grievances,” said Mr Magafu.

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Shape up or ship out

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has issued an emphatic warning to the management of two dormant pharmaceutical companies, ordering them to submit production strategies or else give way for capable investors.

He gave the directive here yesterday shortly after inaugurating Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd at the climax of his two-day official tour of Mwanza Region.

The directives came after the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Mr Charles Mwijage, reported on slow progress in production of drugs by Dar es Salaam-based Keko Pharmaceuticals Company and Tanzania Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd.

Dr Magufuli expressed dismay over the fact that out of 15 pharmaceutical industries in the country, only five were operating well, calling for the situation to be revisited, challenging capable local investors to chip in. “I encourage local investors to invest in the pharmaceutical industry and the government will support you, provided you produce quality products,” he said.

He stated that Tanzanians were fed up with long processes and excuses by some investors in the industrial sector, citing the two factories that had failed to produce and meet public expectations for several years.

The President noted that Tanzania drug manufacturers had an advantage of benefiting from a high local demand, as well as open markets in the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) blocs, with a combined population of more than 500 million.

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JPM two-day Mwanza tour begins tomorrow

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

PRESIDENT John Magufuli is tomorrow expected to begin a two-day working tour here where he is scheduled to inaugurate a number of projects.

According to the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela, the President will jet in tomorrow and will launch the Furahisha Pedestrian Bridge and later in the day he will inaugurate the Sayona Drinks factory.

On Tuesday, the President will grace the Victoria Polly bags factory in Nyamagana Municipality before launching another establishment Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Buhongwa area, Nyamagana Municipality as well.

The factory is the only upcountry based pharmaceutical industry out of about five of which the rest are operating in Dar es Salaam Region.

“Mwanza Region has once again been privileged to host the Head of State whose presence will add more thrust as the country embarks on a vigorous campaign on industrial revolution,” said the RC.

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Fair mining sector era dawns

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

The State, Barrick Gold to share profits on a 50-50 basis

THE government and Barrick Gold Mine Corporation have finally buried the hatchet with a resolution to share profits accrued from the mine on a 50-50 ratio and grant the State a 16 per cent stake in its gold mines.

The negotiations were reached after discussions between experts from the two sides, focused on resolving a tax dispute involving the Canadian company’s subsidiary, Acacia Mining. The company also agreed to pay 300 million US dollars (700bn/- ) as a show of good faith while the negotiations were still underway.

Speaking during the handover of a negotiations report to President John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said that the resolutions had brought great changes in supervising and managing the resource in the country.

“These efforts should not be ignored ... the 50-50 system proposed by Barrick is a great transformation in the sector not only in Africa but also in the world at large because the company, as majority shareholder, has agreed to the profits being shared equally,” Prof Kabudi said.

He said Tanzanians would also get permanent employment at the companies and will no longer stay in camps because they had agreed to drop the contractual employment system. He said under the new arrangement, the companies will also deposit incomes accrued from the business in local banks and transfer its offices from London and Johannesburg to Tanzania.

“We have resolved that the company’s headquarters will be located in Mwanza, but it can also open offices in other areas, the aim being to make sure that the company’s office is located where the mining activities are being conducted,” Prof Kabudi said.

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Mwalimu Nyerere Museum where history never dies

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

BUTIAMA, the ancestral home of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, where his tomb now lies, is located in Butiama District, off Musoma /Mwanza highway, in Mara Region.

This unique place is open for every visitor who wishes to pay a courtesy call on the home of Mwalimu and the Mwalimu Nyerere Museum which is equipped with rich, historical collections on

Mausoleum and family grave.

Photo: Hans Kristoffersen

Mwalimu, the teacher and revered leader.

“We have made the residence of Mwalimu Nyerere accessible to the public, and can be visited by anybody. We’ve established during the visit, many people would like to know about the kind of a leader Mwalimu used to be,” said Madaraka, the sixth son of Mwalimu, in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News ‘ during a visit to Butiama early this week.

Therefore, many people including students have been visiting Butiama to learn about his life and leadership. Mr Emmanuel Kiondo , the Director of Mwalimu Nyerere Museum says the museum has a variety of gifts and awards given to Mwalimu Nyerere, from various sources, inside and outside the country.

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12 die, three hurt as bus plunges into Lake Victoria

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

AT least 12 people have died and three others survived after a minibus in which they were travelling plunged into Lake Victoria in Mwanza Region.

President John Magufuli has sent a message of condolences to the families of those who perished in the accident, as well as to the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongella.

“I have received with great sadness news of the death of the 12 people after a minibus they were travelling in plunged into Lake Victoria. I am conveying my condolences to the families of the victims during this time of tragedy and grief,” President Magufuli remarked.

The minibus popularly known as ‘hiace’ plunged into the lake after smashing barriers at Kigongo Ferry in Misungwi.

President Magufuli further said that he had extended prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in the accident.

He also pointed out that he was praying for the quick recovery of the three survivors who are nursing injuries.

SBL hailed for buying materials from local farmers

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE Mwanza Regional Commissioner Mr John Mongela has challenged industries to buy locally farmed and produced raw materials instead of importing them and deny local producers capacity to expand their businesses.

He made the appeal yesterday as he officiated at the launch of a new beer dubbed ‘Pilsner King’ produced by Serengeti Breweries Ltd (SBL) Mwanza plant targeting Lake Zone consumers.

The RC said it was normal for beverage industries to import raw materials in the past but of late the trend has changed with many of them now buying locally produced ones commending SBL for maintaining the practice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend our local industries like SBL for supporting our farmers by directly buying raw materials for their industries from them which contributes a lot in not only increasing income but also creating more direct and indirect employment,” he said.

Mr Mongela said buying locally produced raw materials in large quantities will gradually create competition among farmers and local manufacturers on issues of quality and standards of their products in order to attract foreign markets as well.

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New ship plans at Lake Victoria finalised

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

LAKE Victoria travellers have every reason to smile as the government is building a new ship and conduct major and minor rehabilitation to existing vessels in the lake. It is obvious that water transport is vital in the economic growth of any nation.

Transportation and the mobility it confers are linked to a level of output, employment and income

MV Victoria (2011)

within a national economy. In many developed countries, transportation accounts between 6 and 12 per cent of the GDP.

Business studies show that transportation accounts on aver age between 10 and 15 per cent of household expenditures, while it accounts around 4 per cent of the costs of each unit of output in manufacturing.

However, this figure varies greatly according to sub sectors. For some times now, vessels that ply Bukoba-Mwanza route have been grounded for services. However, the government through Marine Service Company Limited (MSCL) confirmed to the ‘Business Standard’ that everything is in place to set a new and bright dawn for Lake Victoria travellers.

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Precision Air launches flights to Kahama

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JIMMY LWANGILI

PRECISION Air launched flights to Kahama Airstrip in Kahama, Shinyanga Region, yesterday, making it the first airline to make scheduled flights to the airstrip, after it was handed to the government authorities for public use.

The Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) listed airline will begin with three flights a week to the airstrip which was operated by Acacia Mining and used for charter flights.

The Shinyanga Regional Commissioner (RC), ZainabTareck, said the airstrip would stimulate business and economic activities in the district and neighbouring areas and help to unlock the great potential of the district to traders, investors and tourists.

“We are officially starting to use this airstrip after the Acacia Mining Tanzania handed it over to the government for the public uses," she said during the launch of the flights at the airstrip yesterday.

According to her, they approached Precision Air to start operations in the district since December, last year, until recently when preparations were finalised. Precision Air’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Hillary Mremi, said by opening up Kahama route the corporate is living its slogan ‘You are why we fly’ through opening up routes which are meant to serve the demands of the public.

“There will be no need for passengers from Shinyanga and Kahama to drive all the way to Mwanza to catch their flight to Dar es Salaam. Our flights from Kahama will not only save time, but the cost of travel for the ordinary people and traders as well,” he said.

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Success as cotton weight cheating drops by 27pc

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

AUTHORITIES have managed to reduce the level of cotton weight cheating from 34 per cent during 2015/2016 season to seven per cent in 2017 season.

Some farmers have been accused of tampering with the weight of their produce. In August, 2016, at least 30 farmers in Lake Zone were fined 10m/- for tampering with the weight of cotton. The Cotton Board of Tanzania (CBT) said farmers were punished for mixing cotton with sand and other materials

to increase weight.

The Mwanza Regional Weight and Measurement Agency (WMA) Manager, Mr Hemed Kipengile, told the ‘Daily News’ that the cheating had dropped after WMA and other stakeholders made follow ups and introduced mobile courts which charged and meted out punishments to culprits.

“The mobile courts helped to address the problems, all famers and traders who were involved in the dirty game were charged and punished accordingly,” he said when he visited various areas that produce and process cotton in the region.

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