Senior clerics set to visit Mara gold mine on Friday

Top Tanzanian religious leaders are Friday expected to make a tour of North Mara Gold Mine to assess the mine’s contribution to the surrounding communities and the nation’s economy.

Ms Grace Masalakulangwa from the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) confirmed the tour by the religious leaders to the mine on Wednesday evening. However, she would not go into details about its aim.

“It is a national interfaith committee and I have also been invited to join the mine’s visit. The tour has been organised in Dar es Salaam and the delegation will involve CCT, BAKWATA (National Muslim Council of Tanzania) and RC (Roman Catholic ),” a senior religious leader in Mara Region said on Thursday.

The management of North Mara Gold Mine has been readying itself to receive the delegation, with a view to furnishing it with detailed reports about the mine’s operations.

Sources said the leaders would also be interested in seeing the efforts taken by the mine to prevent environmental damage in the area and surrounding communities.

North Mara is one of the country’s largest gold mines and is run by African Barrick Gold (ABG).

Before ABG’s arrival, the mine passed under the hands of several foreign giant mining companies, including Africa Mashariki Gold Mine (AMG) and Placer Dome Tanzania.
The mine was officially inaugurated by the former president, Benjamin Mkapa in 2002.
Local communities surrounding the mine have in the past widely blamed the mine for failing to honour promises it made to help in transforming their lives.

The situation has of late significantly improved after ABG showed seriousness in implementing most of the promises, a move which has witnessed the miner pouring millions of money to support local development in recent months.

The mine says it will spend around 13 million US dollars to support local development by providing education, health, water and rural in three years, starting in late 2011. The beneficiary villages includ Kewanja, Kerende, Nyangoto, Matongo, Genkuru , Nyamwaga and Nyakunguru.

Plan to sharpen varsity students’ skills in pipeline

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), in collaboration with the East African Business Council (EABC), will introduce a programme for providing skills to university students that suit their job demands in the East African Community states.

Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam on the second day of the Academia – Private Sector Partnership Forum and Exhibition 2013 which began on Wednesday and ends on Friday in Nairobi, Kenya, IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof Mayunga Nkunya, said the aim was to develop skills for youths on their innovations so as to enable them employ themselves and be employed by the private sector after their graduation.

He said the other objective of the forum was to provide a convergence platform for academia and the private sector through engagement with the public sector for discussing and strategizing on effective mechanisms for promoting academia and private sector partnership in order to sustain the bloc’s socio-economic development and regional integration.

“A graduate once has finished studies might have already been attached to a particular sector for employment. That is an arrangement we want to do to save manpower and avert losing it,” the don underscored. According to Prof Nkunya, the current strategies focus on personal capability and not certificates and pass marks, saying that the aim was to provide opportunities to all.

“We want to avoid losing professionals and instead we target to enable each one of them because it is our belief that everyone has their own ability for something. The programme plans to upgrade them from one level to another,” he stressed.

However, he noted that the qualification framework for all East African Community member states, which will be valid effective 2014, will benefit many youths. “Rwanda has this programme which has proved viable as no one fails to go to university to pursue studies, and Tanzania will start soon.

If we stick with our examination system we will never go far economically,” he cautioned. The EABC Executive Director, Mr Andrew Kaggwa, said that, “We aim to provide employment opportunities to our people and the private sector, with universities producing products which are fit in the production sector.”

Marie Stopes supports family planning services

Marie Stopes Tanzania (MST) has issued five tri-cycles (Bajaj’s) worth 25m/- as soft loan to five youth who have been dedicated to disseminating family planning service in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city.

over the Bajajis at Tandale Uwanja wa Fisi area in Manzese ward, the MST Director Ms Ulla Muller said the Bajajis will operate in all the three municipalities of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke. “The youth will visit local government health clinics as well as people’s homes to deliver the family planning services.

All the youth are well trained in family planning issues and will be accompanied by a registered nurse to ensure high quality counselling is offered. She stated that, the drivers will be charging for the service rendered and will be required to re-pay back 1200/- everyday until they complete the loan within a set period of one year.

Ms Muller was concerned with available data that indicate that most of girls were not aware of the family planning services as statistics show that 8,000 girls in the country dropped out of school due to pregnancy in 2010, 1,760 of them were still in primary schools and 6,300 in secondary schools.

She said that MST would continue to focus on how they can support young women and men and now they are impressed by introducing Miss Tanzania 2012 Brigitte Alfred who realized the importance of reaching youth who are the future generation.

“As Miss Tanzania 2010 I would like to thank MST for the programme and I see it as a golden opportunity. I am optimistic that it will work and I am ready to work hard to provide education to my fellow young women in Tanzania, because together we can make a difference in women’s lives,” said Ms Alfred.

The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Seleman Rashid who officiated at the event said family planning was crucial since it provides the opportunities for women and men to be engaged in other development activities like agriculture, business or employed in different sectors.

“Apart from having a small family, parents have good opportunity to invest seriously to their children specially providing better education,” he said.

Expounding furthermore, he said that his ministry would continue to support such programmes in order to reach the target of Millennium Development Goals of reducing maternal mortality rate from 454 maternal deaths to 133 by 2015. MST also provides services of treating women who have been affected by cervical cancer.

Utilise resources to stir development, Makambako council leaders urged

Councillors and other leaders in Makambako Municipality have been challenged to work diligently and utilize resources they are endowed with to speed up the municipal’s progress.

The challenge was given by the Director General of Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA), Mr Aloyce Masanja during a seminar to sensitize the municipal’s leaders on the government’s initiative on Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) yesterday in Njombe Region.

“Colleagues, let us workwe cannot achieve progress by blaming each other, each one of us should play his part and reap the benefits,” he said. He also called upon the leaders to earmark areas that are conducive for agriculture investments for the benefit of the municipal and the region.

“The authority will make sure that these huge agriculture investments also benefit people here-this is our modal,” he said. He emphasized that leaders at the municipality should work hard to elevate their township to another level.

“There are healthy youths here who work hard, work with them and you will enjoy the results,” he noted. He reminded the councillors that the government’s Big Results Now necessitates them to work hard than ever before. “Everyone will be evaluated according to his workfailure to that people will be forced to step aside,” he said.

Talking on behalf of the councillors, the chairperson of the municipality, Mr Chesco Mfikwa said they will continue to work hard and bring up new projects to spur development. “We are ready to work with RUBADA to make SAGCOT a success,” he said.

He said the seminar was of great benefit to them and that the focus from now will be engaging in modern agriculture especially in irrigation,” he said. “It is modern agriculture that will bring us development- we thank RUBADA for this awareness,” he noted.

WMA adopts electronic weight inspection system

The Weight and Measure Agency (WMA) said in Dar es Salaam that the manual inspection applied for years has amicably stopped and was now inspecting electronically.

The electronic system has been reported to record impressive improvement in increasing efficiency and simplifying work as opposed to the previous inspection whereby measurement calculation were done by using calculator.

Speaking to reporters, WMA Acting Manager for Information, Education and Information, Ms Irene John said that the old system was too tedious as it was taking us two to three days while the new system was too fast and within half an hour produces the results.

“The system will help avoiding human errors because modern equipment like scanners will provide accurate and reliable results and this will create willingness for customers to timely pay for service rendered,” she said.

She said oil tankers and trucks building materials for instance used documents prepared manually which subjected them to theft and misplacement but with the new system it will make operations simpler and user friendly.

On the economic benefit of the new system, she said the government with no doubt will generate more revenues both in local and foreign currency hence contributing more for national economic growth.

According to the official, good citizens should immediately report incidence of sabotage by dishonest businessmen who used to siphon revenue illegally generated from using the phased out system across the country.

The WMA Legal Counsel Mr Moses Mbunde said the legislative process was underway to introduce deterrent measures to be registered against unscrupulous businessmen exploiting customers by using substandard measures and weights.

“Offenders going with these malpractices risk being fined to the tune of not less than 1m/- which is up from the current fine not exceeding 10,000/- for the first count,” she said.

Kikwete: Don’t play with our security

President Jakaya Kikwete has warned that anyone who will breach the country’s peace and violate its territorial integrity is going to be dealt with squarely by the defence forces.

“Our army (TPDF) is ready to defend the country’s borders at any time and under any circumstances,” the president, who is the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, declared.

Mr Kikwete sent out the stern message when addressing the nation from the Kaboya Military Barracks in Muleba District, Kagera Region, during the commemorations of the Heroes’ Day.

In marking the day, the president also visited graves of fallen heroes who fought to liberate the country, after forces of aggression of the then Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin invaded Tanzania and annexed some parts of Kagera Region in 1978/79.

The aggressive forces were taught a lesson and driven out. Idi Amin, who was then selfstyled as Uganda’s president for life, fled into exile. “You should just sleep soundly at night. Don’t worry and do not listen to rumourmongers on the streets… our armed forces are strong and ready to protect and defend the country.

“All those who will try to invade or violate territorial integrity of our country will get what they deserve. Our country is safe and the army will defend our nation.

“Our main message today is that we are ready at any time to defend our motherland… and all her borders. We don’t have another country. “As such we cannot allow anyone to touch the country or annex any piece of the country.

As we dealt with Amin (Idi), we shall deal with any other aggressor …,” he said. President Kikwete also observed that maintaining peace is a very costly affair. “One of the costs of maintaining peace is the graves that we are witnessing here today. These people are our heroes.. they died in action during the war with Idi Amin. “They made ultimate sacrifice.

We will continue to remember them for what they have given to our nation .. the sacrifice they made to protect our borders ..to maintain the country’s peace and security,” he said. A total of 619 fallen heroes were buried at the Kaboya Cemetery. He noted that his administration with advise from TPDF is looking into better ways of serving the veterans of the war who were injured in the line of fire.

“I have been told that there are complaints about the way the veterans are cared for… that they do not receive good care. We are in consultation with the army on how to provide better care for them. “These are our heroes, they are people who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.

We will forever be thankful and remember them and that is why today is of great importance to our country,” he noted.

GBV stifles basic human rights – TAMWA report

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious problem that limits the ability of men, women, and children to enjoy their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, a report released by the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) has revealed.

The TAMWA Executive Director, Ms Valerie Msoka, said during an occasion to launch the report, that GBV is rooted in gender inequality and gender norms which often serve to reinforce inequalities at different levels.

She said that women’s subordinate social, economic and legal status often makes it difficult for them to get help once violence occurs.

“Studies on gender in most traditions reveal that women are taught to accept and tolerate all forms of violence due to ignorance and lack of awareness on existing laws,” she said.

Ms Msoka said that in Tanzania and globally, GBV takes many forms or types, all of which have a negative impact on individuals and the society, especially women and children. The report also outlines types of genderbased violence that are worth knowing and understanding so as to be able to address them accordingly.

They include emotional and psychological violence, harmful traditional violence, physical violence, sexual genderbased violence and social economic violence. “But, despite its prevalence in most countries including Tanzania, Genderbased violence is often not properly addressed,” she said.

Ms Msoka added that gender-based violence mostly happens against children especially unaccompanied minors and women, because of their gender, and this is due to power imbalances.

She added that genderbased violence remains hidden because it is often considered as a private matter, however due to activists and the media; the issue is increasingly coming under public scrutiny.

She urged that journalists should develop an understanding of GBV and issues around it, and play their role by creating awareness on the issues and response mechanisms through the media. “GBV does not only occur in the house, it is also perpetuated in other areas of the society,” she said.

She added that as a gatekeeper between the citizens and the government, especially for those affected by GBV, the media can bring GBV to the policy decision makers of the country and thus influence the formulation of laws to outlaw GBV.

Kikwete: Building of Kajunguti airport to start soon

President Jakaya Kikwete has reiterated that construction of an international airport at Omukajunguti area in Misenyi District would start soon.

President Kikwete disclosed this soon after his arrival at Bukoba Airport, where he laid a foundation stone on the ongoing expansion of the airport. The project is estimated to cost a total of 21bn/- upon completion.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, has directed Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) to speed up compensating residents in the village so they can relocate to another area.

He gave the directive on Monday when he toured Kajunguti village in Misenyi District. The area has been earmarked for the construction of an international airport to cater for large aircraft to replace Bukoba Airport, which can only handle small aircraft.
Dr Mwakyembe called upon the TAA management to speed up the exercise of paying 12bn/- compensation to people who would be affected by construction of the international airport.

He said funds had already been set aside by the government, adding that completion of the Kajunguti International Airport would boost trade and tourism among East African Community (EAC) member states of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

The minister also visited Bukoba Airport ahead of President Kikwete’s tour. Mr Kikwete was yesterday expected to launch a multimillion-shilling water project in Muleba District.
The Muleba District Executive Officer, Oliva Mavunge said over 29,000 people in Kabale, Kamishango and Katanga wards would get clean water under the project. She said over 70m/- had to date been spent on the project.

Kikwete: Thieving coops come under fire

President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday urged for transformation of cooperatives from its traditional role of crop procurement, inputs and credit provision to investment vehicles for members’ welfare.

Mr Kikwete also lashed at some co-operatives which have turned out to be gangs of thieves. He made the remarks late Wednesday when launching the Kagera Cooperation Union (KCU) investment complex in Bukoba.

“Kagera Region is among pioneers of the co-operative movement in the country; KCU should maintain that by leading in transforming our focus to invest members’ money in projects which will make them feel the value for their money.

“But there are some cooperatives which are gangs of thieves, stealing in daylight. These should learn from you,” he said. The president said the government paid all debts the cooperatives unions were having countrywide, to relieve them of the running costs, but surprisingly some have plunged back into bigger debts.

He attributed the trend to lack of committed and diligent leaders. “We should not remain the crop dealers only, instead we should look into the possibility of setting up big investments as it has been done by KCU,” he said.

“Our cooperative unions have gone through a number of problems as they struggled to compete with the private sector and many have not been able to provide their members with services they need.

“The government responded to this problem by introducing a new Cooperative Policy (2002) to help cooperatives to regain their importance in the economic lives of the people,” said the president.

However, President Kikwete noted, the policy will be redundant if members put in power leaders who lack integrity and who undermine government plans to facilitate development of cooperatives and members.

He said the cooperative union key areas of concentration should be to ensure that their members’ interests were given priority, saying as for Kagera, coffee farmers should get preference. Before the launch, Mr Kikwete also laid the foundation stone for the construction and expansion of Bukoba Airport. The project is estimated to cost 21bn/-.

Expansion of the Bukoba Airport was among CCM’s promises in the 2010 Election Manifesto. It started in February, last year and upon completion in February, next year,it will have the capacity to serve 500,000 passengers a year.

Invaders beware: Kikwete says Tanzanian borders secure

Muleba. President Jakaya Kikwete assured the nation yesterday that the country’s borders are safe and secure from external threats and aggression.

Mr Kikwete, who is the commander-in-chief of Tanzania’s armed forces, declared that security agencies were alert and ready to protect the sanctity of the borders.

The head of state warned that those who dared violate the borders would face the music. He added: “Sleep soundly and ignore speculation that is rife out there. Our armed forces are able to protect the country and its borders. Anyone who dares invade or provoke us will face dire consequences.”

He sounded the warning at Kaboya army cemetery in Muleba district shortly after laying a shield and spear on the heroes’ monument in commemoration of Heroes Day.

The ceremonies attended by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Davis Mwamunyange, and Zanzibar’s President Ali Mohammed Shein and Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal, were held in remembrance of hundreds of casualties of the war to depose Uganda’s dictator Idd Amin Dada in 1978.

Mr Kikwete asked Gen Mwamunyange to assure the huge crowd of their safety. The TPDF head reiterated that the people should go about their activities peacefully as the army was alert and would secure their safety.

President Kikwete said thereafter: “You have heard from the people we have entrusted our country’s security to. We will not allow anyone to play around with our sovereignty just as we did not allow Amin’s invasion.”

President Kikwete did not specify the kind of threats the country was facing but his strong remarks came against a backdrop of deteriorating security in the Great Lakes Region.

The UN has issued a warning about the security situation in the DRC Congo, where the rebel M23 is fighting in the eastern part of the country in an attempt to destabilise President Joseph Kabila’s government.

The UN is planning to hold a crisis meeting over the conflict and has publicly warned Rwanda against arming or supporting the M23 rebels.

Almost all of Tanzania’s borders with Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC have been violated by warring parties and thousands of refugees fleeing war zones in the Great Lakes Region.

The country’s troops are engaged in the United Nations peace-keeping missions in Congo and M23 rebels recently threatened to “massacre” the Tanzanian troops.

President Kikwete recalled the fact that Tanzania moved swiftly against Idi Amin to safeguard national interests and the lives of Ugandan citizens who were likely to suffer retaliatory attacks for backing the forces that routed the dictator, who had occupied part of Tanzania.

Meanwhile, President Kikwete expressed the government’s commitment to continue upholding the legacy of all those who fought in the Kagera war and promised permanent support for soldiers who sustained disabilities in the course of protecting the country.

He said his administration would explore ways to support the soldiers to ensure they did not feel neglected.

Meanwhile, appeals for peace and tranquility dominated speeches delivered at the function by religious leaders.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Church in Bukoba Diocese Methodius Kilaini said every Tanzanian should preach peace.

Bishop Kilaini said security forces should remain a trusted refuge and not turn into agents to intimidate innocent citizens.

Bishop Elisa Buberwa, who represented the Christian Council of Tanzania, and the representative of the Islamic Council of Tanzania echoed these messages.

Bishop Buberwa prayed that the country would be spared the growing religious differences, hatred and crimes against humanity.

Govt urged to act on firms’ social duties

Dar es Salaam. Stakeholders in natural gas and oil want the government to either create an Act or a policy that will guide companies on how they should be contributing towards development of communities surrounding their businesses.

Concerned with the current situation whereby it is an individual company that decides how much to offer in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), dealers in natural gas and oil say it is high time the country came up with a law or policy on the same.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day oil and gas suppliers conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the dealers said that with a law or policy in place, the amount provided in CSR would surely make meaningful changes to communities surrounding major investment projects. The managing director of Proactive Solutions, Mr Nestory Phoye, told The Citizen yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a two-day Tanzania Oil and Gas Suppliers Conference, that there was a need for the government to take CSR as an important area to finance community development.

“We need to make sure these companies join in developing the communities. This should be possible through guiding the companies to do things that add value to the people,” said Mr Phoye

Mr Phoye said having the law on CSR would help the government to single out the specific projects which would have to be implemented by the companies depending on the agreement reached.

According to stakeholders the current CSR has remained a platform for some companies to paint a positive picture to the public, with no consideration whether the offer adds value or not.

On his side, Upstream Oil and Gas Limited chief executive officer, Joe Watson Gakuo called upon the government to do away with leaving the companies to decide about the CSR, instead there should be a mechanism of assuring the amount to be given or areas to channel the amount real make changes to the beneficiaries.

“I am not fan of the Corporate Social Responsibility at all. We should do away with companies painting the desks and say they have supported the community development,” said Mr Gakuo.

He instead said, the CSR should be done in a way that they will make the recipients become independent after being empowered, adding that community development should also be the real meaning of having the companies which reap huge profits from their investment.

Mr Gakuo also proposed that one way to get the community benefit is through having stake in the project through joint venture, since such initiative works more than having CSR.

Responding to the raised concerns over the CSR, the chairman of Mining Advisory Board in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Mr Richard Kasesela said it was true that the CSR has to add value to the society, but he could not support the idea of having the Law to guide the companies in terms of what should they give back to the community.

“Once you enact an Act about CSR, the CSR becomes an obligation to the companies. The effect of it is that companies might find the way to recover the amount, which will ultimately be the burden to the community,” said Mr Kasesela.

He instead agreed that there is the need of developing the policy about the CSR so that it means beyond what it is done currently.

Mr Kasesela said one area that will work more is assuring the local people get stake in investment or companies through the joint venture which is the most way of benefiting like South Africa and Dubai.

Permit demands ‘hurting integration’

Arusha. Tanzania has once again come under fire for visa and work permit restrictions imposed on nationals of other East African Community (EAC) partner states.

“The exorbitant work permit and visa fees hinder the free movement of people and labour within the EAC, yet some partner states might have a shortage of skilled manpower to run the investments,” the regional Manufacturers’ Forum was told in Kampala recently.

The manufacturers said they were surprised Tanzania still insisted on visa requirement for EAC nationals entering its territory as well as demanding the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

They said a national of any of the other EAC states -- Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda -- coming to Tanzania for business purposes has to pay $100 (Sh162,000) a fee that other partners do not demand.

As for the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, Tanzanians without it pay $20 (Sh32,400) whereas all others classified as non-Tanzanians and not EAC nationals and hence must pay $70 (Sh133,400).

Tanzania has repeatedly defended mandatory Yellow Fever vaccination for people arriving into the country, including returning nationals, saying it did so within the binding requirements of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

However, the authorities at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) have often been embroiled in conflict with the employees of the EAC and affiliated institutions working in Arusha over the vaccination.

On the work permits, Tanzania has maintained that it was still conducting internal consultations with other EAC states on issues of cross border labour migration.

Kenya, the strongest economy in the region, also came under fire at the meeting dubbed the EAC Secretary General’s Forum for denying Ugandan transporters to carry cargo within its territory.

“Kenya denies Ugandan transporters the right to carry cargo and merchandise in Kenya. This isn’t in the spirit of goods and products within the EAC and Kenya,” the manufacturers noted in a statement, urging Kenya to open up to allow other regional transporter and conveyers.

At the forum, the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association presented some of the key policy issues affecting its members requiring urgent redress at the regional level, among them is the Tax Remission for Exports Office (Treo).

The manufacturers claim Kenya through Treo encourages local manufacturers to export their products. This is achieved by remitting duty and VAT on raw materials used in the production of goods for export.

They argued that the remission on duties and VAT makes Kenyan manufacturers to have a high competitive edge compared to the other EAC states.

The other issue is the Railway Development Levy of 1.5 per cent for all imports through Kenya introduced by the government there in the 2013/2014 National Budget for the development of the Kenyan railway network, but is being paid by all states and importers using the Mombasa Port or transiting through Kenya.

Speaking at the forum, the EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera, urged the business community to popularise the local products.

Schoolgirls bear brunt of rape epidemic, says report

Dar es Salaam. Most rape victims are schoolgirls, according to a new Tanzania Media Women Association (Tamwa) report.

The report, which was launched in Dar es Salaam yesterday, said the incidence of rape was particularly high in Wete, Pemba as well as southern and southwest Unguja.

In Tanzania Mainland, rape was found to be prevalent in Newala, Mtwara Region.

The study covered 10 districts countrywide, and the findings show that 341 cases of sexual assault were reported in Zanzibar alone between 2011 and 2013. Of the cases, 104 cases occurred in the Isles’ southern districts.

Tamwa Executive Director Valerie Msoka said during the report’s launch that the incidence of rape was highest in Newala among districts surveyed in Tanzania Mainland, adding the majority of victims were young schoolgirls.

Last year, 15 cases where reported at the police gender desk in Newala and 14 cases were reported in the first half of this year.

The report comes at a time when serious allegations of human rights abuses have been levelled against security personnel in Mtwara, who are said to be key perpetrators of rape in the region.

Political party leaders and civil society organisations have on separate occasions accused members of the military and police of torture and sexual assault. Districts surveyed in the study are Wete in Pemba, Unguja West and Unguja South.

Others are Kinondoni and Ilala (Dar es Salaam), Kisarawe (Coast), Mvomero (Morogoro), Ruangwa and Lindi Rural (Lindi) and Newala (Mtwara).

According to Ms Msoka, rape of schoolgirls was fuelled by poverty, superstition and drunkenness, adding that many girls dropped out of school after getting pregnant.

“Many cases have failed to proceed in the courts because of corruption among law-enforcers who collude with perpetrators to undermine investigations,’’ she said.

According to the findings, early marriages were also on the rise in all districts surveyed, and it was revealed that schoolgirls between the ages of 12 and 16 were being married off, contrary to the marriage Act of 1971. The report further reveals that domestic violence is also up. The report contains photographs of women who were seriously injured after a battering by their husbands.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has also been cited in the report. The report says in In Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, FGM has become a common trend, with most of the girls involved hailing from Dodoma and Mara regions.

“Our researchers found out that FGM has become rampant due to outdated traditions and customs of some tribes which still believe in the practice,’’ said the Tamwa boss.

JK I do use greetings Kagame, Banda

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has said that whoever played the Tanzania border security, he saw a wood carver. He said that the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF) is established for protecting our borders at any time and at any. Information for media released yesterday by the Directorate of Communication of the President, stated that,
President Kikwete, who is also the Commander in Chief, gave the same message yesterday deep in the region, he was talking to people during the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of the TPDF Camp Kaboya, Muleba District, Kagera Region.
"Laleni sleep safe, not listen to the words of the street because our military is quite stable to protect our country and its borders.
"Anyone who tries to invade our country either provoked me to anger, he saw a wood carver, the country is safe from the host is established to protect our country," said President Kikwete and add.
"Our major message today is that we are ready at any time to defend our country and its borders, because we have no other country.
"Therefore, we can never allow anyone to play for our country, either to play or breaking this country, as we dealt with Amin (Idd Amin, who was the President of Uganda), and we will deal with him the same way," the president warned.
In his statement the heavy, President Kikwete did not mention anyone, but recently occurred condition statement alternation between him and the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
This situation started after President Kikwete advising willing, President Kagame retained the same table with the country's rebels to restore peace, but opposes President Kagame said that consultation with the ironic statement against the president.
Despite tensions, the Government of Malawi last year entered also in tension with the Government of Tanzania, during a dispute over the border between Tanzania and Malawi which is in Lake Nyasa.
Despite this, President Kikwete said yesterday peacekeeping operations are expensive and that's one of those costs is kuyaenzi graves of soldiers who lost their lives during the war between Tanzania and Uganda, fought in 1978/79.
According to President Kikwete, the Government will continue to honor these heroes because they gave their lives to protect the borders and our country's peace and security of the entire population.
He said that a total of 619 soldiers who lost their lives during the war, were buried in the tombs of Kaboya.
He also said that the Government, through the advice of the Tanzania People's Defence, considers how best to minister to the Tanzanian soldiers who have disabilities in the war and still live.
"I have heard no complaints about the quality of how we treat, we will now talk to the army to see how much better way of serving.
"Basically, we continue to thank and honor our heroes and that's why today's ceremony to be held here and is a big celebration for our country," he added.
Together and say it, President Kikwete also visited the graves of the soldiers of Tanzania and see the weapons used in the war.

PDI backs initiative by youth to seek forgiveness

The Ideal Democratic Party (PDI) has backed the initiative by a group of young Rwandans that requested members of the Hutu ethnic group to apologise for the role atrocities committed by Genocide perpetrators in the name of their ethnic identity, which led to the massacre of over a million Tutsis.

In a statement dated July 21, the party’s political bureau outlined six recommendations to the Rwandan community on this matter.
“PDI supports the youth that took the initiative to apologise, because ideal reconciliation redeems people from shame that is associated with what happened in the country, the Genocide that was committed in the name of the Hutus,” reads part of the statement that was signed by the party’s chairman, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana.
The party appealed to all those that committed the Genocide to clear their conscience by coming forth and apologise for the crime they committed against the Tutsi.
It is the party’s belief that this will strengthen commitment to the fight against genocide ideology, it said.
PDI also urged government to ensure those Rwandans that are ready to seek forgiveness are given an appropriate forum to express themselves.
But the party also says the decision to apologise should be voluntary.
The genesis
During the closure of the first phase of countrywide sessions dubbed Youth Connect Dialogue, hundreds of youth drawn from different parts of the country resolved to work towards sustainable peace, but agreed that they could not do this without building trust amongst themselves.
In a statement dubbed ‘the promise of a generation,’ the youth agreed to step out of the shadows of their parents, especially those that committed the Genocide, to build a prosperous nation.
“…all we need to do is show the (Genocide) survivors that we the youth do not support what was done in our name and this is what we are doing,” Edouard Bamporiki, one of the organisers of the forum told  The New Times this week.
Bamporiki says if people sat and told their story and got to know each other better, it would be easier to achieve a common goal, which, in this case, is a better future for Rwanda.

Regional MPs push for ceasefire in eastern DRC

Warring parties in eastern DR Congo should stop hostilities and give priority to peace talks, Parliamentarians from the Great Lakes Region have said.

The lawmakers are meeting in Kigali for a two-day 7th Ordinary Session of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments for the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR).
Yesterday, members of the Committee gave presentations and debated on the security and political situation in ICGLR member countries, with focus on conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic, Sudan and South Sudan.
The need to quell the latest bout of clashes in eastern DRC took centre stage at the discussions with a Congolese delegate asking for a minute of silence to pay respect to victims of the violence along with other sufferers of armed conflicts in other ICGLR member states. Most legislators called for talks between the warring parties in eastern DRC.
“We invite all parties involved to give dialogue a chance,” said DRC’s Senator Jean-Pierre Lola Kisanga, who also heads FP-ICGLR’s Executive Committee.
Senator Kisanga is also the Deputy Rapporteur of the Congolese Senate.
He urged member states in the ICGLR to remain loyal to all the peace pacts that were signed in relation to preserving peace in regional countries, including his troubled country.
On the renewed clashes in eastern DRC between the Congolese army and M23 rebels, Kisanga called for immediate resumption of peace talks in the Ugandan capital, Kampala between the rebels and the Kinshasa government.
“There will never be a military solution to this crisis,” he said in an interview with journalists shortly after addressing the parliamentary session.
Latest fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army, allegedly backed by FDLR militia, have seen thousands of refugees cross into Rwanda over the last few days and two mortar bombs fired from DRC into Rwanda’s Rubavu District.
The president of the Rwandan Senate, Dr Jean Damascène Ntawukuriryayo, called upon legislators in member states of the ICGLR to spread the message across the countries that solutions for all political and security issues in the region will come from regional leaders themselves.
He criticised so-called international experts ‘for spreading rumours’ in reports accusing countries like Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in the DRC, while Kigali remained active in regional peace efforts.
Political, not military 
“Rwanda should be considered part of the solution and not as part of the problem,” he said. “We have to work to achieve a political solution because a military solution will never work.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, in an interview with this paper last week noted that Rwanda had registered progress in implementing the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region, which was signed in Addis Ababa in February this year.
The accord seeks a complete restoration of peace in the region, mainly in the eastern DRC.
Rwanda received refugees and disarmed them, collaborated with the US in sending Bosco Ntaganda to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and participated in the technical committee meetings establishing the evaluation mechanism of the Framework as part of implemention of the Framework, Mushikiwabo said.
A UN Security Council Debate on Supporting the Great Lakes Framework’ is scheduled for today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York,  where Mushikiwabo is expected to make a presentation on what Rwanda has done towards the implementation of the Framework.
Under the FP-ICGLR, which remains the main inter-parliamentary organisation of African Parliaments in the Great Lakes Region, members discuss regional security and the prevention and management in the region.

High Representative Catherine Ashton appoints new Heads of Delegation to Ethiopia and to Rwanda

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, July 24, 2013 – Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, announced today the appointment of two new Heads of Delegation.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton . Chantal Hebberecht has been appointed Head of the EU Delegation to Ethiopia. Currently the Head of Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, she previously worked as Head of Unit for the Peace Facility in the Commission, and has a particular background on food security issues.

Michael Ryan has been appointed Head of the EU Delegation to Rwanda. Currently Acting Head of Delegation to Syria, based in Brussels, he was previously Head of the Political Section in the Delegation to Egypt. He has spent much of his career in Delegations in the Middle East.
High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of these excellent candidates to key jobs in the EEAS. Their talent and expertise are significant assets for the EU’s external action and I look forward to working with them in their new roles”.
NB: To complete appointments as Head of Delegation, an accreditation request for a new Head of Delegation is sent to the host country. The selected candidate may take up duty only once accreditation of the host country has been granted and a number of administrative formalities have been completed.

Marine accidents leave 245 dead

Marine accidents in Tanzanian territorial waters have claimed 245 lives between July 2012 and June 2013, while no incidents of piracy were reported during the period, it was said in Dar es Salaam.

Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Capt King ChiragiThe Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Capt King Chiragi said during that period 19 accidents involving 625 people were reported.

“Out of the 625 people involved in the accidents on Tanzania Search and Rescue Region, 380 people were rescued while 245 died,” he said.

Capt Chiragi was also quick to point out that they had not received reports of a single incident of piracy on Tanzania’s territorial waters or environmental threats due to oil spills during that same period.

He further said it is the responsibility of boat owners to provide rescue education to their passengers before starting any journey, as it will help them to know what to do whenever an accident occurs instead of leaving the burden to regulatory authorities.

“Security is not a responsibility of regulatory bodies alone but the people should also participate in the process as it is for their own good, it is best for them to report to SUMATRA whenever they get suspicious of security of the boat before boarding,” he said.

He said SUMATRA is doing its best to provide weather forecast information from the meteorological agency and insist sailors to properly use them. “We make sure sailors get weather information before they depart and we also make sure it is safe for them to travel,” he elaborated. He also said that SUMATRA has inspected and registered 1,701 small boats out of 4,634 which has been inspected in a period of one year. He said that in making sure that they regulate them easily, they are still inspecting small boats and so far have been able to record more than 30,866 boats. “Boats which have not been inspected and granted licences are not allowed to operate at any cost as they contribute much to accidents,” he said.

Dar to announce stand on DDT in malaria control

The summit opted to adopt the use of DDT as a strategy for eliminating malaria in Africa. Reliable sources said principally the leaders although differed in some aspects of DDT application, agreed to test it while taking maximum health precautions and care.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Ministry of Health ad Social Welfare, Dr Donnan Mmbando, told the ‘Daily News’ before the Abuja meeting that Tanzania would be in the position to state whether it was ready to use the chemical or not.

Dr Mmbando, when contacted yesterday, could not categorically state the country’s position. DDT – regarded as a controversial chemical, is now considered as a measure of the last resort in eradicating malaria in the continent and it took sometime before the Abuja meeting chose to agree to adopt it.

Ministry’s spokesman, Mr Synchalis Mwamwaja, despite promising to give the country’s position later today, said the country has not kept silent on the problem and was now working hard for optional pesticides.

“We are erecting our own plant in Kibaha whose materials will be used to deal with mosquitoes that spread malaria and the Cuban experts are at the site,” he said, promising to reveal the country’s stance on Abuja meeting later today. DDT is a tasteless, colourless chemical that was successfully used in the second half of World War II to control malaria among civilians and troops.

TAA urged to speed up 21bn/- compensation to Kajunguti villagers

The Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, has directed the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) Management to speed up the exercise of paying 12bn/- compensation to people who would be affected by the construction of an international airport to be constructed at Kajunguti village.

Minister for Transport, Harrison Mwakyembe

He gave the directive when he toured Kajunguti village, in Misenyi District. The area has been earmarked for the construction of the International Airport to cater for large aircrafts.

The new airport will replace the Bukoba Airport which can only handle small aircrafts. Minister Mwakyembe said funds had already been set aside by the government adding that completion of the Kajunguti International Airport would boost trade and tourism among East African (EAC) member states that include Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Mr Mwakyembe also visited Bukoba Airport ahead of President Jakaya Kikwete’s tour. Mr Kikwete was expected to lay a foundation stone on the airport on Wednesday afternoon. Construction and expansion of the Bukoba Airport would cost a total of 21bn/- upon completion.

Uganda Cranes under pressure

Uganda Cranes are under greater pressure ahead of their return leg match of the Africa Nations Championship  (CHAN) qualifier against Taifa Stars at Namboole this Saturday.

Taifa Stars go into the encounter on the back foot having conceded a 1-0 defeat at home a fortnight ago but can exploit the attacking crisis in the Uganda Cranes’ set-up and overturn the first leg deficit. Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic reportedly regrouped with the rest of his Cranes team on Tuesday in a gruelling session and expressed his concerns with lack of goals among his strikers.

Micho challenged his strikers to put right their application in the final third or risk missing out on next year’s CHAN finals in South Africa. “We need to start scoring. Unfortunately, we don’t have time. All I need to do now is help the players I have to focus and concentrate.

The best I can do is teach them good positioning and how to make something out of nothing. How to open spaces and utilize them,” Micho is quoted as saying ahead of Saturday’s showdown. “We struggled to score while in Tanzania and the very problem so happened in the trial games against Uganda Kobs last Friday, so it’s either now or never to solve the problem.” Micho told the Cranes players.

Cranes scoring troubles were highlighted from the fact that the team lost two of its friendly games against the U-23 Kobs team with identical 1-0 defeats last Friday and had to rely on midfielder Denis Iguma for the all-important goal in Dar es Salaam.

The situation has not been helped by the fact that two of his first choice strikers Tony Odur and Patrick Edema are out of the return leg. Odur has been ruled out with a groin injury while Edema travelled to Portugal for a trial stint and Micho is now looking to forwards Frank Kalanda and David Kasirye among others for a solution.

And according to Ugandan newspapers, Micho will also have to design a strategy to frustrate Tanzania’s trio of Amri Kiemba, Mrisho Ngassa and John Bocco. The three did not hurt Cranes in Dar es Salaam but the Ugandans believe will possess enough ammunition to wreak havoc.

A 20-man Taifa Stars squad under head coach Kim Poulsen left for Kampala yesterday showing no signs they will be intimidated in Saturday’s decisive encounter which they must win to realize their dream of reaching the second CHAN finals. Poulsen told a press conference in Mwanza the players have been training seriously since pitching camp in the Western region on July 14 and are well prepared for the duel.

“The match will be tough but we believe we shall win. We have laid down sound strategies which we’re going to perfect in Kampala,” Poulsen told reporters. Poulsen is expected to make slight changes in his first team line-up in the absence of prolific defender Shomari Kapombe and midfielder Mwinyi Kazimoto who travelled for professional trials in Qatar and Holland respectively.

Players who boarded the plane are: Goalkeepers — Juma Kaseja, Mwadini Ali and Ali Mustafa.

Defenders — Aggrey Morris, David Luhende, Erasto Nyoni, Kelvin Yondani, Nadir Haroub and Vincent Barnabas.

Midfielders — Amri Kiemba, Athuman Idd, Frank Domayo, Haruni Chanongo, Khamis Mcha, Mudhathir Yahya, Salum Abubakar and Simon Msuva. Strikers — John Boko, Juma Luizio and Mrisho Ngassa.

Handle investors with care, Kigoda urges

Industry and Trade Minister Abdallah Kigoda has cautioned Tabora regional authorities to handle prospective investors with care and work out measures to stem corruption and red tape that scare off potential investors into the region.

The Minister for Trade and Industries, Dr Abdallah Kigoda

“Investors hate excessive bureaucracy and time wasting practices because, to them, time is money,” Dr Kigoda said while closing Tabora Regional Investment Forum in Dar es Salaam last weekend.

He commended the region for identifying potential investment opportunities, challenging the regional leaders to walk the government talk by reducing the cost of doing business and putting in place favourable investment climate.

Tanzania Leaf Tobacco Company’s (TLTC) Group Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs Richard Sinamtwa, in a paper he presented to the forum, said Tabora Region has about 45,000 farmers who produce over 60 million kilogrammes of tobacco annually for processing and value-addition domestically before exporting.

Besides tobacco, which is the region’s economic backbone, Tabora residents produce beans and peas, maize, cassava, potatoes, groundnuts, sesame seed, sunflower, rice, mangoes and honey.

“There is huge potential for investment in agro-processing,” said Mr Sinamtwa, decrying lack of value chain to support investments as the region’s serious challenge. Mr Sinamtwa whose company has invested heavily in the region mentioned strong agricultural production, well educated labour force, rich rural areas and high household incomes among the region’s investment strengths.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Executive Director Godfrey Simbeye said promotion of conducive investment environment was inevitable to achieve the country’s five-year development plan that targets a 10-per cent growth rate by 2015/16.

He commended the government’s initiative of Big Results Now, saying it was the right decision towards changing the culture of doing things, particularly on how the public servants interact with the private sector.

Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange Executive Director Moremi Marwa advised small, medium and large business enterprises to use the stock market to raise capital, saying the bourse offers better terms for business financing to both capital issuers and consumers.

“Even Municipalities can use the DSE to raise funds for development of social and physical infrastructure like roads, schools, markets, storage facilities and health centres,” said Mr Marwa.

Uranium project to buoy Tanzania’s economy

The Mkuju River Project, a uranium mining project in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region, is expected to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to US$ 1bn (about 1.6tri/-) over the project’s life. The project is owned by Mantra Tanzania and operated by Uranium One Incorporation.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Uranium One, Mr Chris Sattler, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam recently that operations at the project will be subjected to international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as national and regional laws and regulations.

“Just like any other uranium mining project in the world, the Mkuju River Project will be operated in accordance to national and international safety regulations and standards,” Mr Sattler said while taking questions from journalists.

If all goes as planned construction of the project should begin in the next dry season and take two years to complete. Before construction can begin, a nine month, detailed engineering and design programme must be completed, added Mr Sattler.

The journalists who attended the news conference had earlier visited the project site in Namtumbo to get a firsthand account of the proposed mining project. Flanked by Mantra’s Managing Director, Mr Asa Mwaipopo, Mr Sattler said there are two remaining approvals from the government that are required before construction can begin.

He said last year Tanzania secured an approval from the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO for minor adjustment to the boundary of the adjacent Selous Game Reserve World Heritage site.

“Earlier this year, the government granted Mantra a special mining licence. We are now looking forward to settling the Mining Development Agreement (MDA) with the government through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, after which we would look to receive the required formal consent to operate from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism,” he explained.

Mr Sattler said uranium produced by the project will be supplied to electrical utilities solely for the generation of electricity. “The uranium will be used only for producing nuclear energy within countries that have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and accept full international IAEA safeguards,” he said.

When operations at the MRP commence, Tanzania would become Africa’s third largest producer of the mineral after Niger and Namibia. Some 1,600 people are expected to be employed during construction and there will be 750 permanent jobs when the mine starts operations, according to Mr Mwaipopo. T

here will be even more indirect jobs created by the Mkuju River Project over its life. At present there are 120 employees who are involved in exploration activities, Mr Mwaipopo explained.

A senior geologist at the MRP, Mr James Magweiga, told journalists that as of November, last year, MRP had uranium deposits of 119.4 million pounds (54,000 tonnes). “The current initial mine life is expected to be around 12 years.

Exploration is, however, still going on, with a view to finding more mineral resources to add to the life of the mine,” the expert elaborated. Hopes are high among residents of Namtumbo District and its environs as people there are longing to utilise the business opportunities that will come with the development of the mega project, says Namtumbo District Commissioner, Mr Abdula Lutavi.

Regional golf body releases Zone 5 fixtures

The East African Golf Federation has release fixture for the inaugural African Zone Five Golf Challenge Trophy.

The first ever tournament is scheduled to tee off from October 30 to November 1st this year at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort, Naivasha, Nairobi, Kenya. The fixture availed to the ‘Daily News’ by the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) Vice-Chairman, Joseph Tango shows that all competing teams are expected to arrive in Nairobi on October 28, while flag raising ceremony will be staged the following day.

Teams will battle it out in single match play in day one, while day two morning will witness golfers compete in Foursomes format before switching to Four Ball Better Ball in the afternoon. The fixture further shows that the final day once again will see teams battling it out in single match play before the 2013 winner is unveiled.

This is the same format that is used in the annual African Zone Six event which Tanzania used to participate since early 90s before the introduction of Zone Five. Tanzania like other East African countries were participating in the Zone Six as guest teams.

Tango said recently that it was not wise for them to continue competing at the Zone Six as guest because they have an opportunity to organise and promote the regional (Zone Five) championships. “It is after the agreement and commitment we made in Bujumbura, Burundi during the East African Challenge Trophy last year.

We felt that there was a need of having our own zonal tournament, rather than just wait to be invited as guest participants at the Zone Six events,” he said. He said that according to the rules governing the game, eight countries can form a zone.

The region used to have five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi who are competing at the East Africa Challenge Trophy, but has invited Ethiopia, Congo DRC, South Sudan and Central African Republic to join them to form Zone Five.

He said the new formed zone has the blessings from the world governing body– Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R & A) of St. Andrew Scotland. He said that now than ever, the TGU need to concentrate and put all their focus on preparing a competitive team ready for the Nairobi event searching first silverware in the event.

Rwanda, UN sign $400m deal

The government and One UN Rwanda have signed a five year agreement aimed at helping the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the Economic and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRSII) as well as Vision 2020.

The assistance, worth of US$400 million (Rwf264 billion), is a mid-term strategy running until 2018 under the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP), through which the organisation seeks to consolidate its support to Rwanda’s development strategies.
The initiative, according to Lamin Momodou Manneh, the UN Resident Coordinator, is in response to constant demands for the UN to be more efficient.
“We have said it before and we will not be shy to say it again that like any other large organisation encompassing the whole globe, the United Nations is prone to certain internal and external weaknesses and, consequently, it has had its share of fair and unfair criticism,” Manneh said yesterday in Kigali.
Positive impact 
“But over the years UN has demonstrated willingness to face up to constructive criticism and take corrective measures. The introduction in 2007 of delivering as one initiative is a corrective measure which has very positively impacted on the way the UN works in Rwanda.”
The Minister for Finance, Claver Gatete, said the assistance agreement is aligned to the national annual planning cycle and will focus on key areas in economic transformation, human development and government accountability.
“The Rwanda UNDAP budget will be financed through prioritisation where inclusive economic transformation will be allocated US$82 million, accountable governance US$42 million and human development US$276 million,” Gatete said.
“Our development results are due to strong and innovative leadership and the support of development partners, as we embark on widespread and innovative reforms at a time of great national need, guided by a bold vision for development.”
The UNDAP initiative replaces several joint programmes and multiple agency-supported initiatives previously captured in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), with a single business plan for all UN programmes in Rwanda.
The US$400 million budget will be financed through funds that UN agencies will invest from their core and non-core resources, as well as through mobilisation efforts headed by the resident coordinator.
UN announced in 2007 that it would explore new ways of enhancing its efficiency at country level, naming Rwanda, Albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uruguay, and Vietnam as pilots in its “One UN” agenda.

Rwanda face Egypt in a V-ball tourney

The Men’s volleyball team takes on Egypt in the opening match of the 2014 FIVB Sub-zonal world champinship this evening at Amahoro indoor stadium.

The Pool I teams will play a two-legged match to decide the winner according to the Confederation of African Volleyball.
The first match is due this evening while the second match will be played tomorrow.
Head coach Paul Bitok is looking to use the Egyptian challenge as a platform of assessing the quality of his young troops who are set to surprise the North Africans and even secure a win which will boost their confidence ahead of the Zone V championship due in November.
As part of their preparations, Bitok’s team beat APR 3-0 [25-18, 25-10, 24-26, 23-25 and 15-13] in a friendly match on Tuesday.
In the other sub-zonal Pool H, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda will be battling for the top three slots which will enable them to join Rwanda and Egypt who have already qualified for the zonal championship.
Today, Amahoro indoor stadium
Rwanda vs. Egypt [6pm]

Absa, Barclays to integrate African operations

Absa Group and Barclays will complete integration of their African businesses by 31 July 2013, following regulatory approvals in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

According to Banking Business Review, the integration, which is a part of its ‘One Bank in Africa’ strategy to strengthen pan-African financial operations, will boost Barclays’ stake in Absa from 55.5% to 62.3%.
The integrated entity will operate under the brand name of Barclays Africa Group and serve nearly 14.4 million customers through a network of over 1,300 outlets and more than 10,400 ATMs, employing over 43,000 people across ten nations.
As per terms of the transaction, the proposed consolidation will be executed through the acquisition of Barclays Africa by Absa Group for £1.3bn.
Absa Group chief executive and Barclays Africa chief executive Maria Ramos said, “It means that we can accelerate Africa’s true global potential by supporting the development of capital markets and providing a greater range of financial services on the continent.”
The proposed grouping, which was initially started by both banks in 2011 to integrate their African businesses, will expedite their strategy to boost corporate banking, market activities and bancassurance in Africa.
In 2005, British lender Barclays acquired 55% stake of Absa for $4.5bn as part of an expansion plan into emerging markets.

China charges politician Bo Xilai

China has charged disgraced politician Bo Xilai with bribery, corruption and abuse of power, state media say.

Bo Xilai, formerly the Communist Party chief of Chongqing, was expelled from the party after a scandal surrounding the murder of a British businessman.
His wife Gu Kailai was jailed in August for the killing of the Briton, Neil Heywood.
Mr Bo was charged by prosecutors on Thursday in Jinan in Shandong province, state media said.
The Bo Xilai scandal, which exposed corruption claims and infighting at the top of the Communist Party, was one of the biggest to rock China in years.
Mr Bo had taken advantage of his office to accept an “extremely large amount” of money and properties, state-run news agency Xinhua said, citing the indictment paper.
He is also charged with embezzling public money, Xinhua said.
Murder investigation
The sending of the formal indictment to a court in the city of Jinan suggests the trial is now imminent, the BBC’s John Sudworth in Shanghai reports.
However, no trial date has been announced yet.
It is common for high-profile political trials to take place in provinces away from where the accused is based, as they are considered more likely to gain beneficial treatment in their home province.
Mr Bo’s wife Gu Kailai was tried in a court in Hefei, Anhui province, far from Chongqing.
Mr Bo was previously considered a rising star in the Communist Party, and one of the country’s most powerful officials.
However, he came under criticism after his former police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in Chengdu in February 2012, spending a day there.
Wang made allegations about British businessman Neil Heywood’s death while at the consulate, reports said.
Heywood had died in Chongqing the previous year. The Wang Lijun incident prompted an investigation into his death.

Mr Bo was suspected of trying to cover up the murder, and was stripped of his party positions.

Mr Bo’s wife Gu Kailai was charged with Heywood’s murder, and given a suspended death sentence, which is usually commuted to life imprisonment in China.
Wang, meanwhile, was jailed for 15 years for defection, power abuse and bribe taking.
Populist policies
Mr Bo was popular in his role as party chief in Chongqing.
He was known for two high-profile campaigns: a large-scale crackdown on crime, and a drive to promote China’s old communist values.
Despite his charisma, his penchant for the limelight set him apart from other Chinese politicians.
According to analysts, his ambition and flamboyant style earned him enemies and was considered controversial by party leaders.
His populist brand of Maoist nostalgia, such as his encouragement of the public singing of old communist songs, was seen as dangerous by China’s more reform-minded leaders, our correspondent says.
On China’s microblogs, many users expressed support for the indictment against Mr Bo.
“The handling of Bo Xilai’s serious disciplinary violations has again proved the party’s ‘zero tolerance’ attitude to corruption,” a user by the name of God’s Drop Shadow wrote on Sina Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like site.
“I support President Xi’s efforts to fight the tigers when it comes to corruption, and clear corrupt elements for the good of the country and the people,” user qixiya0 said.
Xi Jinping had previously used the terms “tigers” and “flies” to describe corrupt officials at all levels.
However, evidence of Mr Bo’s popularity could still be found online.
“I don’t really understand politics, but from when I first knew of Bo Xilai, my impression of him has been of a leader who would teach young people, just like an elder. Despite what has happened, in my heart he will still be like that,” Sina Weibo user Small Ears are the Two Large Flowers in Legends wrote.

Tunisian opposition member shot dead in Tunis

Tunisian opposition member Mohamed Brahmi was shot dead outside his home in the capital on Thursday, a political source and local radio said.

Mohamed Brahmi

Mr Brahmi, 58, led the nationalist Movement of the People party.
It is Tunisia’s second assassination of an opposition party leader this year.
In February, prominent secular politician Chokri Belaid was also shot outside his house in Tunis. His murder sparked angry protests and prompted the resignation of PM Hamadi Jebali.
“Mohamed Brahmi was shot dead outside his home in Ariana,” state television and the official TAP news agency reported.
Gunmen on a motorbike killed Mr Brahmi in front of his wife and daughter on Thursday morning, Movement of the People party officials told local media.
It is not known yet who is behind the attack.
Mr Brahmi was a member of the National Constituent Assembly, which is drafting a new constitution.
He founded the Movement of the People party after the Arab Spring uprising ended the 23-year-rule of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.
Mr Brahmi was not as big a political figure as Mr Belaid, but he too was a leftist critical of the governing Islamist Ennahda party, which came to power following Mr Ben Ali’s overthrow.
After Mr Belaid’s assassination in February, many Tunisians accused Ennahda of not doing enough to stamp out a rise in Islamist violence, with some critics saying the party was actively fomenting it, correspondents say.

How CORD and Jubilee Leadership loose every Opportunity for Unity in the Wake of Tragedy in Kenya

In the aftermath of the Colorado movie theater shooting in the United States, the two leaders, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, who at that time were locked in the most heated campaigns, suspended their campaign evens called on all Americans to came together and show their good heart and love.

There was no political signage or euphoria but rather silent reflection. Romney in a statement said “I stand before you today not as a man running for office, but as a father and a grandfather, a husband, an American”. President Obama on his part said, “ there are going to be other days for politics, this, I think is a day of prayer and reflection” The same united front has been evident whenever tragedy strikes in the U.S, be it a hurricane or a tornado, terrorist attack or killing of twenty helpless school children in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Kenya has had its share of tragedies too. But the one on the minds of many Kenyans is the tragic loss of 15 school children from the same county in a grisly road accident. This is a tragedy that hit at the heart of a nation. The frantic efforts by medical personnel to save lives, the airlifts of those critically injured and government waiver of hospital and funeral expenses as well as the outright concern from every corner of the country brings home the point that although tragedy may bring grief and even helplessness, there can be those who offer comfort to those who are suffering and mourn with those who mourn.  Who better can comfort and rally a stunned nation than leaders from opposite political spectrum?
If the events at the mass funeral service for the 15 departed young children in Kisii are to go by, Kenyan leaders have once again failed to rise above political mediocrity in the wake of a national tragedy.  A tragic event that called for reason from all leaders was lost inchaos of hysteria and opportunism as a solemn moment of reflection turned into divisive political platform. Cheered on by a frenzied almost fanatical crowd, those who project themselves as unbending fighters for progress scrambled for microphones to rip their political opponents.
The grief and sorrow notwithstanding, this tragedy exposes the ugly underbelly of politics in Kenya. The complete lack of civility and decency at this mass funeral service reflects the repulsive form of inter-party relations and regional politics. As the entire country was mourning over the tragic loss of young lives, the lack of decorum that has been rife in exchanges between CORD and the Jubilee government at national level was evident as people in Kisii came face to face with an abhorrent form of regionalism that poses a great danger to national unity. One wonders which one of this is a greater tragedy – It is the continued loss of lives of Kenyans or the lack of national unity and absence of civilized conduct among Kenyan politicians.
If the news reports are to go by, nothing seemed to have been said about uniting in tragedy by either the CORD leadership or Jubilee government. The CORD leadership which enjoys the goodwill of people in this area failed to defend the freedom of speech for the government officers send to deliver the president’s speech.One would have thought that the former Prime Minister, a crusader of the rights of the people, and a darling of crowd at hand would borrow from the famous quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who said in her biography on Voltaire that “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Instead he sat in bemused silence while the government officials were humiliated and denied their right to speak.
The fact that the president’s speech was never delivered by extension denied the rights of those families that were grieving their fundamental right to public information. The government stood with these families throughout the tragedy. Personal intervention by the president through an executive order for airlifts, medical and funeral expenses showed a unity of purpose on the part of government.Therefore these grieving families had the right to know what the president had to say to them.  Unfortunately, their rights to public information were denied in the presence of those who purport to be the custodians and champions of human rights.
Playing politics as the blood of innocent Kenyans flow on depleted roads is worse than pointing fingers at a corrupt traffic officer. Preaching vengeful and divisive politics where hearts are breaking with sadness of unspeakable tragedy is worse than skipping the event all together. This day was no longer about politics. This was a day to seize the opportunity and stand before the broken hearted not as Jubilee or CORD, but as parents, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. This was the day to offer comfort to those affected by this tragedy and mourn with those who are mourning.

Tsuma Clive Katiba PhD
cktsuma@yahoo.com
Faculty, Public Policy and International Relations
Research Fellow, International Center for Information Development (ICITD)
USA

It’s Prince GEORGE of Cambridge! Kate and William proudly announce the name of their baby 50 hours after his birth

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their son George Alexander Louis, Kensington Palace has said.

The Prince of Cambridge – Reuters

George had been the bookmakers’ favourite for the first name of the prince, who is third in line to the throne.
He will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.
They are currently at the duchess’s family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, after spending a night at Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess had been expected to pick a traditional royal name for their son, who was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London on Monday at 16:24 BST, weighing 8lbs 6oz.
Royal infants usually have historical names which are passed down through the generations.
This is a relatively quick announcement of a name compared to previous royal babies.
It was seven days before the name of a newborn Prince William was announced in 1982, and there was a wait of a month following the Prince Charles’s birth in 1948.
All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, regardless of parentage, must be registered within 42 days at the hospital before leaving or a register office.

ICTR transfers last detainee to Rwanda

 

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) yesterday transferred to Rwanda Genocide suspect Bernard Munyagishari from its custody in Arusha, Tanzania.

The former head of the genocidal party MRND in former Gisenyi prefecture, was in pre-trial detention and his transfer is part of the court’s completion strategy. He was the last suspect in the custody of the UN-backed court.

Munyagishari’s transfer came after he lost a petition for a stay of his transfer from ICTR to Kigali.
He was arrested in May 2011 in DR Congo and charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, as well as murder and rape as crimes against humanity.
A seemingly pensive Munyagishari arrived at the Kigali International Airport aboard a commercial RwandAir flight from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, at around 5p.m, under the custody of ICTR officials.
He was then delivered to Rwandan prosecutors, who, in turn, handed him over to designated judicial police officers.
The suspect under tight security, was paraded before journalists for about 30 seconds and later whisked off to the special transit facility at Kigali Central Prison. He joins former Pastor Jean Uwinkindi, who was transferred by the ICTR in April last year but whose trial is yet to start in substance.
“We would like to thank the ICTR generally for the significant vote of confidence it has given to the Rwandan justice system, and for the smooth execution of this transfer. What happens next is following the Rwandan laws, particularly the law on transfer of Genocide suspects from ICTR and other jurisdictions,” said the spokesperson of the Rwandan Prosecution, Alain Mukuralinda.
Munyagishari will be under police custody for a maximum of five days before being handed to Prosecution. Prosecution could request for 30 days from the judiciary to prepare his dossier as stipulated by the law. ICTR Spokesperson Roland Amousouga said the transfer process is part of the ICTR completion strategy.
“The opinion of the judges at the ICTR is that Munyagishari will get a fair trial in Rwanda and the court will monitor the case the same way it is doing in the case of Uwinkindi…we are confident that the trial process will go smoothly,” said Amousouga.
The ICTR approved a prosecution request for Munyagishari’s transfer on June 6, 2012 and confirmed it on appeal on May 3 this year.
In a last-ditch appeal filed three days later, Munyagishari asked the Tribunal to stay his transfer until he had received the French versions of the Appeals Court decision and his amended indictment. He also sought information about the setting up of a mechanism to monitor his trial and prison conditions in Rwanda.
But on May 30, ICTR Appeals Court president Theodor Meron noted that the accused received his amended indictment in French on May 10, and was only waiting for the translation of the decision confirming his transfer. Meron then ordered that Munyagishari’s transfer be effected not less than three days after he had received the French version of the Appeals Court decision. The suspect’s request for information about a monitoring mechanism was rejected.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Munyagishari, 53, was general secretary of the then ruling party, National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), in Gisenyi prefecture and president of the Interahamwe militia.
His indictment says due to his rank in both the MRND and the militia, Munyagishari exercised effective control and authority over the Interahamwe militants operating under the Intarumikwa and the Impuzamugambi militia groups, in Gisenyi and its surroundings. He is accused of killings at St Fidele College and the Catholic Church, convent in Nyundo parish in Gisenyi, now Rubavu District. Also, at the beginning of 1994, Munyagishari received a list of Tutsis to be killed in the town of Gisenyi and its surroundings, according to the ICTR charge sheet .
After the assassination of former president Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, Munyagishari organised a house-to-house search for Tutsis to be eliminated, the charge sheet says.
In addition, from April 7 to July 17, 1994, he is accused of having supervised roadblocks in Gisenyi, particularly the notorious la cornice roadblock and its surroundings, and ordered the pogrom, the indictment adds.
According to the prosecution, Munyagishari is further alleged to have conspired with then high ranking military commanders, including Colonel Anatole Nsengimana, Augustin Ngirabatware, and Joseph Nzirorera all of whom have been tried by the ICTR. The ICTR has also confirmed five other case transfers to Rwanda, but they all concern suspects who are still on the run. They include, Lieutenant-Colonel Phénéas Munyarugarama, former mayors Charles Sikubwabo, Ladislas Ntaganzwa, Aloys Ndimbati and former judicial police inspector Fulgence Kayishema
Apart from Rwanda, the only other country to which the ICTR has transferred cases is France. Two cases have been transferred there.
These transfers are part of the closure strategy of the ICTR, which must complete its work by December 2014 at the latest, according to the UN Security Council.
The ICTR has already started transferring some of its functions to its eventual successor organ – the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT).

Kikwete presides over Heroes Day in Bukoba

 

Bukoba. President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to preside over the commemoration of National Heroes Day that will be marked at the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) barracks at Kaboya, Kagera Region, today.

However, President Kitwete, did not deliver an address at Kaitaba Stadium yesterday as earlier scheduled, prompting a large crowd that had gathered to disperse.

But President Kikwete inaugurated the Kagera Cooperative Union (KCU 1990) building as scheduled.

Contacted for clarification, State House spokesperson Salva Rweyemamu said he was forced to reschedule his public address to July 28 because it was late and most of the people were fasting.

“He explained when launching the building that other commitments delayed his arrival and he couldn’t address the masses in the evening because many people were fasting,” he explained.

Before his departure to Kaboya today, the Head of State officiated the inauguration of the High Court building in Bukoba.

Kagera Regional commissioner Colonel Fabian Massawe told journalists that among other activities, the President was expected to lay a foundation stone at Bukoba airport which is undergoing major renovations including upgrading it to a tarmac runway.

According to the RC, after attending the National Heroes Day, President Kikwete will proceed to Karagwe District where he will take part in two different events including official launching of 19 newly demarcated districts which will be representatively held in Kyerwa.

The other event involving President Kikwete will be the official launching of the Rural Electrification project to be held at Nyaishozi in Karagwe.

'Gun maker’ operated near military training field

Acting Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Ally Mlege(center) and other official police, displays guns impounded by police at Kawe Mzimuni in the City at special operation.
Dar es Salaam. The suspect of illegally making guns in his house in Dar es Salaam lives near an open field used for military training.

The Citizen confirmed that the house from where the suspect was picked up is a stone’s throw away from a training ground for the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF). The field is used by soldiers from Lugalo Barracks.

A spot check yesterday revealed that only one house stands between the suspect’s family home and the TPDF training ground, about 200 metres away. It is also a few metres from Kawe Primary School.

It is from this abode, in the city’s Kawe suburb, that on July 18 the police seized the suspect and his wife after stumbling on what appeared like a crude gun manufacturing plant. Seven arms of different calibres were found.

The couple and four other accomplices are still being held at the central police station as investigations continue.

Neighbours yesterday expressed shock at the developing story of a neighbour they described as “polite and well behaved.” He worked as a locksmith in the area and cooperated with other neighbours in various socio-economic activities.

At the deserted home itself, a woman there said to be a relative to the suspect declined to speak to Journalists. “I have nothing to say to you. If you want anything please speak to the police,” said the unidentified woman before slamming the door of the fairly big house.

Neighbours who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution said the house was owned by the suspect’s father who also lives there. The suspect, they said, has a wife and several children who put up in another house nearby.

According to a source, who lived a few metres from the suspect’s house, they never suspected anything fishy was going on. “Those living there are just normal people like us and many other Tanzanians.”

“I was just surprised when the police raided the house around 11am. I never thought anything as illegal as what we later come to discover was going on inside that house,” said the neigbour.

According to the source most of the people living in the neighbourhood were surprised as much as he did after the police raided the house and left with the suspect and his wife as well as some equipment.

“People in this neighbourhood referred to him as a lock smith and the house is also referred to as locksmith’s…we always took our keys and locks to the house when we wanted them to be repaired,” said another source. According to Acting Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Ally Mlege, the suspect was arrested following information provided by four armed robbery suspects.

Sitta: Govt probing theft of Sh8 billion during conference

East African Cooperation minister Samuel Sitta addresses a meeting of the Tanzania Youth Council in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam. East African Co-operation minister Samuel Sitta said yesterday the government was investigating the embezzlement of Sh8 billion, allegedly by officials entrusted with organising the recent Smart Partnership Dialogue.

“Eight billion was pocketed by unscrupulous officials who created ghost companies to benefit from the meeting and now investigations are ongoing,’’ Mr Sitta told journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

He spoke during the official opening of a three-day meeting of the Tanzania Youth Council at Rombo Green View Hotel in Sinza. The meeting, attended by 120 youth from 50 districts, was to discuss the new draft constitution and make recommendations.

Pressed for more information, Mr Sitta said the investigations would show how the suspected officials colluded to siphon the money. “We are tired of probe teams because each time you wake up you are told we have formed a team to investigate scandals but the outcome of investigation is always zipped and kept in shelves,” the vocal minister said. “This is unacceptable.’’

It was the first time a senior official was speaking on the matter almost a month after the three-day conference that coincided with US President Barack Obama’s visit.

But Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Permanent Secretary John Haule dismissed Mr Sitta’s claims as “allegations aimed at seeking cheap popularity” and said there was no grain of truth in the allegations.

Mr Haule added: “There have been such allegations from a section of cabinet ministers and even the police and Prevention of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) have gone yonder to inquire into the matter, but I can assure you that there is not even a single cent that was misused. There is no probe team in my ministry that is investigating the said embezzlement.”

The PS confirmed, though, that there was a team reviewing how money allocated to the conference was spent. The host committee included officials from the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. The review team, according to Mr Haule, is working under the Chief Secretary Mr Ombeni Sefue’s direction. A report will be handed to him as the chairman of the organising committee not later than July 30.

According to Mr Sitta, the “scandal” was a sign that some public officials and leaders were a greedy lot who worked to enrich themselves even as many Tanzanians continued to languish in abject poverty.

The minister spoke of a trend in which dishonest leaders create ghost companies that are given big government tenders with a view to swindling cash that ends up in their pockets.

Mr Sitta now wants clauses in the new constitution that will cover leadership ethics and integrity. “You are not elected to enrich yourself and your family or stash the tax payers’ money in Swiss banks,” he added. “I wonder when I hear of someone hiding staggering amounts of our cash overseas.”

The minister, who is also Urambo East lawmaker, took a swipe at leaders who have been dishing out huge amounts of cash at religious events. It was difficult to tell whether that money was genuinely theirs or was stolen, he added.

“You see someone donating millions in less than two weeks--which raises questions as to where the money is coming from,” he said without naming anyone.

Mr Sitta reiterated his objection to a three-tier government in the draft constitution, saying it would cost the country should the people give it the green light in the new mother law. He dismissed it as a plot by “selfish leaders” to create unnecessary positions for their benefit.