Poverty-stricken Bukoba rural banks on 2010 campaign rivalry

By Deogratias Kishombo

Observers and political analysts say Bukoba rural of today is quite different from that of 1990s and back.

According to Mr Nazir Karamagi, the constituency is currently recording high level of poverty and there is evidence to show that.

About 394,020 people in the area, according to 2002 census live on hand to mouth economy and lack some basic needs.

Poverty is real

The area currently lacks safe water, no electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, few health centres, high HIV/Aids prevalence, diseases and ethnic differences to some people.

Despite that, the constituency has six active political parties since 1992 -- the ruling party, CCM, still a dominant party followed by Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, CUF, UDP, and TLP.

The major political issue in the district is funds the embezzlement in the district council, according to Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (Redet).

Crops such as banana, coffee, tea, flowers other cash crops now no longer exist. The empirical study shows that at least 80 per cent of working population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, but due to what the residents call ?lack of serious leadership and politics of hate.?

The annual per capita income was Sh95,623 or about euros24 in 1997 against the national per capita income of Sh147,026 or euros37.

The industrial base of Kagera Region is still very small due to the fact that most important industries are those involved in the processing of cash crops such as coffee and cotton, other small scale industries include sawmills

Fishing and livestock farming are culturally important, but despite their potential they contribute very little to the region?s economy, both sectors remain underdeveloped and fishermen families have remained as ?refugees in camps.?

"We are eating fish skeletons instead of real fish and our siblings lack access to the lake. They are told by local government officials that Lake Victoria belongs to investors," said Gosbert Mutensa a resident of Ibwera village.

Sanitation is a big problem in Bukoba rural compared to other districts in the region as less than 5 per
cent of the population enjoy appropriate sanitation, according to region's information website.

A big number of people depend on river water, unprotected wells or bore holes. Some harvested rainwater at their homes, but all not so clean.

Education performance has dropped adversely with most of the youths have abandoned school and ventured into petty businesses. This reporter saw many school age children selling bananas and tomatoes at Kemondo Bay.

Contradiction

The constituency legislator Mr Karamagi is blamed to have abandoned the area as he does not represented them effectively in the National Assembly in Dodoma.

Mr Jasson Rweikiza, the district CCM parents? wing chairman, said the constituency is facing many challenges including poor social services.

He says "We lack market for our crops thus most of people are rushing here and there searching for markets, but in vain. The price for our coffee for instance, has dropped drastically pushing farmers deep into poverty. They produce a lot, but they get ?poor returns for their crops."

He said poor transport infrastructure in the villages are impassable during rainy seasons. He cited Kitembe village in Izimbwa division that is completely cut off during rainy season.

However, he added, "The constituency lacks teachers for both primary and secondary schools. For instance, only two teachers are available at Bujugo Secondary School, the headmaster and one teacher."

Mr Patrick Kalinjuna, 86, of Mbatama village, blamed abject poverty in the area to their legislator.

"He is not cooperative at all, he has abandon us even the elders in the area. Just imagine, he contributed only Sh50,000 to Mwenge Secondary School for construction of an administration block," he said.

But Mr Karamagi denies the claims, saying the residents are lazy and cannot even propose development projects they need.

"Many people in the country think people from Kagera Region are well educated, but the real truth is that we are at the bottom of the education ladder," he said.

However, he rejects claims that he is not representing them effectively in the Parliament.

He said he has done a lot of things in his constituency, but a few people appear not to appreciate his contribution, and instead mudsling him.

"I ma sure I have done many good things, but some people do not appreciate my efforts," he said.


The 2010 general election.

There are already signs that the regislator is going to face serious competition from among his ruling party members. Some CCM members have already shown interest in Karamagi?s seat.

It was recently reported the legislator clashed with the regional party chairman during a closed door meeting in Bukoba.

"Of course we need changes, we want our area to develop. I think we have other good people who can provide effective leadership towards achieving development," said Mr Waziri Kyobya, Ibwera Ward councillor (CCM).

However, there are rumours on the ground say Mr Rweikiza would contest the seat during the next general election, but when contacted he told Political Platform that to contest an election is the basic right of Tanzanians after they turn 18 years and above.

"It is too early for me to declare interest in the forthcoming general election because since we still plenty of time to do so. Today I can declare that I will contest, but I could change my mind at the last minute by not picking the nomination form, " he said.

According to him, he sees the possibility of winning, he would as well join the fray because a constituency do not belong to any particular individual.

Mr Rweikiza who holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Dar es Salaam, graduated in 1986, possesses an MA degree in Public Administration from the University of Peggio, Italy, and advanced diploma in transport management from Belgium, and has contributed to various economic activities in the constituency.

"I have tried to support my people in various development activities. I expect to build other schools in the constituency at Kyetema area," he said

Two Tanzanian biggest tourist hotels burnt to ashes

By Deogratias Kishombo

Dar es salaam

Two tourist hotels at Bagamoyo Beach just 65km in the North of commercial city of Dar es salaam were returned ‘ashes’ as the ‘blaze’ started from one the kitchens, no causalities were reported, officials said.

Paradise Hotels and Resorts and Oceanic Bay Hotels and resorts were completely burnt down and returned to ‘ashes’ as the blaze started in the Paradise Hotel kitchen, Front office manager Mr. Godfrey Runyungu told reporters at the beach in the evening today.

He said that after the explosion of the gas tank in the kitchen and restaurant block, the fire was supported by strong wind where it jumped the fence to neighboring Oceanic Bay Hotel in the left side from coast.

“The fire started around at ten but it took at least twenty minutes to destroy completely the two hotels before the firefighters from Dar es Salaam arrive at the scene” he said.

He said that they had booked 3 Canadians and 1 Swedish and others but all of them were escaped safely, but he failed to give the details on where they went after the incident.

“I think you see the situation, I can not remember everything now because of the fire” he said.

Villagers from poor Mangesani and neighboring villages most of them ‘youths’ rush to the scene and seemed with nothing in hands to extinguish fire. The atmosphere was full of smokes that made journalists difficult to get close to the burning buildings.

‘We are sorry for workers, we are very sorry, everything has destroyed but we have tried as our level best to save lives of people” said Mr Gueld Abdalah, a Hotel Chairman and also a father of Managing director.

He said that his hotel Paradise had 170 direct employees and 30 casuals and all of them were safe and nobody was injured but he told reporters that they were shocked to loose everything.

“Everybody is safe but we have lost everything” he said.

Earlier the Oceanic Bay Hotel Managing Director Mr Rahul Layan told reporters that the blaze started in the neighboring hotel and he was not sure exactly the starting point.

“I saw the fire coming from Paradise Hotel as the wind brought it here. We did not safe anything because everything has destroyed but we are safe” he said.

He said that after they saw the fire, they started to save lives of people and property but they did not reach anywhere because the fire was strong.

“As the fire was coming strongly because of wind, we saved only lives of people” he said.

However, it was drama as reporters saw groups of the youths taking computers, laptops, televisions, fie extinguishers and other equipments from the burning buildings.

“Do not be surprised I can assure you that some youth thieves arrived here with canoes from the sea and take a lot of things and they have gone” said a witness Mr. Edgar Nazar a Bagamoyo resident.

Earlier the Bagamoyo district Commissioner Mr Serenge Mrengo who also attended the incident said that the burning of these two tourist hotels was ‘impact to the national development especially tourism’

“We have lost a symbol of development in tourism economy” he said

He said that the two hotels had positive impact to Bagamoyo residents and the country as whole as a source of employment and foreign currency.

The UNFPA Chief visit


By Deogratias Kishombo

Dar es salaam

The UNFPA Executive Director and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Thoraya Ahmed Obaid expects to launch the preparations of the 2012 Population and Housing Census Initiative, and hand over contraceptives to the Ministry of health and social welfare tomorrow.

The executive Director will launch the preparations of the 2012 Population and Housing Census Initiative at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs before she hands over the consignment to the MHSW at 14.30GMT.

She will hold the meeting with the government officials on maternal and newborn mortality reduction and how UNFPA can best the cause in the context of the UN reforms and the changing aid environment.

Key speakers behind the Executive Director during the launching will be Mr Oscar Fernandez-Taraco, Resident Coordinator of the UN system in Tanzania, the vice president of Tanzania, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and othe dignitaries.

Ms Thoraya is on visit to Tanzania to gain greater appreciation of the achievements, challenges and experiences of the UN system in the country, delivering as One and on UNFPA’s participation in supporting Tanzanian’s development agenda

UNFPA assistance to the Government of Tanzania dates back to 1971. The 2002-2006 Country Programme (CP), representing the 5th cycle of assistance to Tanzania, contributes to the following national outcomes: increased utilisation of quality sexual and reproductive health services and information; effective implementation of population and development policies and programmes; and the enhancement of gender equity and equality and the empowerment of women.

UNFPA support is provided in the context of the Tanzania Assistance Strategy and the Poverty Reduction Strategy. In line with the United Nations Assistance Framework (UNDAF), programme assistance focuses on building national capacity and increasing access to basic services.

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Indonesia to host an International conference on climate change


By Deogratias Kishombo, Dar es salaam

About 135 high level officials from world countries and multilateral organisations are expected to attend the World Ocean Conference in Indonesia on May this year, with the theme “oceans and climate change” the embassy has said

The event will take place in Wenang, Menado City-Northen Sulawesi on May from 11th to 15th, 2009, according to the statement made by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Dar es Salaam earlier this week.

The statement said that the conference will discuss four issues in relation to the WOC2009 theme, including: climate change impacts, the role of oceans in regulating climate change, adaptation and mitigation and opportunities for regional and international cooperation.

“With this goal in mind, Indonesia has taken the initiative of hosting the World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Menado on the 11th -15th May 2009, hereafter referred to as WOC2009, which will be attended by Ministers and High level Government Officials and High level Officials from Multilateral Organisation” a part of the statement said

According to the ‘Aide Memoire’ on the World Ocean Conference of this year, says that the expanse of the oceans plays a major role in determining world climate. O the other hand, the recent increasing rate of global climate is having a great impact on oceans, affecting both marine life and the lives of people whose livelihoods depend on marine resources and on the marine and coastal environment

“The oceans cover almost 2/3 of the earth’s surface and with its ecological, social and economic functions; it can greatly impact of the people on this earth. The oceans, land and the atmosphere above them are indeed part of one whole system with intimate links between them” it said

The World Ocean Conference (WOC) 2009 is a forum for the world community to discuss current issues in the marine field which are related to climate change, in order to achieve an international agreement and draw up an adaptive strategy to use of marine resources wisely for the benefit of humanity

“During this WOC2009, we very much hope for strong ‘political will’ from the government representatives so that an agreement can be reached and will become a corridor guiding marine management at the globe level” the statement added

WOC2009 is an international forum to develop a common understanding and firm commitment to address the impact of climate change on the state of the world’s oceans and to increase our understanding of the role of the oceans in determining the rate of global climate change

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Police hold 2 suspects over albino death

By Japhet Francis, Sengerema

Police are holding two suspects in connection with the murder of a 48-year-old albino at Sogoso village in Sengerema district on Wednesday. The killing occurred a few hours after Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda warned that stern action would be taken against leaders who fail to protect albinos.

However, Mwanza regional police commander Jamal Rwambow declined to name names of the suspects, saying doing so would interfere with investigations. He said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday. Jonas Maduka was killed at around 9:00pm when a group of people arrived at his house, asking him to show them a house of his father-in-law, Robert, who died recently. "Maduka, who was having a supper with his four children, believed that the strangers truly intended to visit the bereaved family," Mr Rwambow said. His wife who was also an albino is dead.

The strangers told him that they hailed from Isore village also in the district. But suddenly the strangers grabbed him, chopped off his right leg and fled with it. The body was found with wounds on the head, hands and the remaining leg, which was also about to be chopped off.

Upon getting information of Maduka's killing, Mwanza regional commissioner James Msekela, police special operations commissioner Peter Kivuyo and regional police commander Jamal Rwambow went to Sengerema the same day to investigate the murder. Dr Msekela chaired an emergency meeting of the district security and safety committee and devised strategies to protect Maduka's family against ritual killers.

Mr Pinda declared 2009 the year of war against witchcraft-associated killings of albinos in the country on Wednesday in a meeting with regional commissioners in Mwanza City. During the meeting, Mr Pinda warned regional commissioner that they risked punishment if they failed to protect albinos. He also said the Government had suspended the issuance of licences to herbalists, until a better way was found to license them. He also called for the revival of vigilantes.

He told leaders of Mara and Mwanza local authorities that all herbalists would be screened before they get new licenses.

"Let herbalists engage in farming instead of fortune-telling," he said. He directed district commissioners to send police officers and other state organs respond immediately upon receiving information on albino murders to arrest the perpetrators.

Maduka's killing brings to 35 the number of albinos killed countrywide since December 2007. Ritual murders have also killed 2,866 elderly women since 2003 mainly in Shinyanga, Tabora, Mwanza, Singida, Iringa, Kagera and Mbeya regions.

Are the ex-pats safe in Tanzania?


By Deogratias Kishombo

Some of foreign experts in Tanzania are accusing the Tanzania immigration officials of using the mandatory working or residence permit to soliciting bribes, harassing and mistreating them, it has revealed.

In their report made to this reporter, they were concerned about allegations of corruption among the immigration officials in Morogoro REGION and request the relevant authorities to fully investigate allegations and take action accordingly.

The victim told this reporter that he would visit the Prevention and Combating Corruption Bureau (PCCB) for further steps against the officials who were involved in soliciting bribes.

It has been revealed that on 17th November 2008 the experts one from the United Kingdom and another from Zimbabwe had engaged in business discussion at the Acropol hotel in Morogoro region, just 300 kilometres from Dar es salaam.

But in the middle of discussion, two immigration officers had approached them. One of the officers had previously stopped a Zimbabwean another time and he knew he was Zimbabwean, and he had already seen his copy of working permit that time; however, he wished to see it again.

Unfortunately, he had accidentally left the copy of the permit, which he usually travels with, at home in Dar es Salaam , together with the original.

The Zimbabwean foreigner politely explained the situation and asked to be excused so he could continue with this important journey with his guest and later report to the relevant authorities. He also suggested they phone Immigration in Dar es Salaam to verify he was a legal resident.

Another alternative he suggested was that he could get a copy of the residence permit faxed to them. They said that only an original copy would suffice, despite the original being in Dar es Salaam and he was not having any convenient way of getting it to Morogoro.

They phoned three other immigration officers to come to the hotel. Then the man from Zimbabwe again explained to the other immigration officers the situation.

However, during a time of drama, the two experts also requested them to see their identification cards but they responded abruptly telling them were rude to request ID and that they had no right to request ID.

After strong insistence from a UK expert, two of them did show their IDs and the foreigner wrote the details down. The names on the IDs were Gerard Kihinga, ID number 00003297 and Aurelian Mhanje, ID number 00005315.

Also, a Zimbabwean guy heard them referred to as Gerard and Mhanje during the day and these are the names used in the rest of this report. They then took a Zimbabwean to Msamvu immigration office just three to four kilometres to downtown.

At Msamvu immigration department the official Gerard opened
a file and told the suspect that he must produce the original residence permit in Morogoro by 4pm or else be put in police custody and face a court hearing the next day.

The Zimbabwean phoned a man known as Fredrick, his business partner, who tried to arrange for the original permit to be picked up from his house in Dar es Salaam but unfortunately, there was no one with keys to the room where the permit was except his wife and a cleaner who was not contactable.

He then phoned his wife who was in a meeting at University Computing Centre, where she works, with CDC (US Government PEPFAR HIV/AIDS aid program) at the time and could not take his call.

When she saw his messages, she requested a fax number to send a copy of the residence permit to, as she had a copy of it in her office. He asked if a faxed copy would suffice and after lengthy discussion and pleading the immigration officers agreed.

However, Mhanje (officer) said that even if he got the fax and if the permit says place of work is Dar es Salaam then the expert is breaking the law by being in Morogoro when his place of work is supposed to be Dar es Salaam.

Gerard also threatened to get his permit cancelled. The first fax number given to the suspect was either not functional or not valid. His wife visited the university police station who inspected the copy of the permit and advised her to fax the copy of the permit to the immigration officials in Morogoro.

After following up to get the second fax number, which was
valid, the woman faxed the copy and received a confirmation status report at 3.29pm from the fax machine self-labelled immigrations Moro saying the fax had been received.

The suspect could hear the fax coming in on the fax machine nearby and saw the top of a permit coming through but the official Mhanje quickly grabbed the paper. He asked if that is his faxed permit.

An official quickly closed the door between the suspect and the fax machine. The immigration officers insisted they had not received the fax and said they were bringing him to the police station.

Again, the suspect phoned a man called Frank, a long-standing good friend of him who lives in Morogoro, to ask him to go to a secretarial shop, which receives faxes so they could resend the fax there and Frank could bring the fax to the officials.

His wife talked to the immigration officer Gerard via her husband’s phone and politely asked him to check their fax machine for the permit. He said “Are you giving order”. He abruptly cut off the phone. Mhanje, Gerard and another official took the Zimbabwean to the police station.

On the way, he asked if he could pay a fine instead of being imprisoned. They stopped at a bar and asked for the payment. The suspect said he could only make the payment in their office and that he would need a receipt.

They refused and continued to the police station. Frank went to a local fax shop and his wife faxed him a copy of the permit. Frank brought the copy of the permit to the police station and delivered it into the hands of the immigration official Mhanje in the presence of the police who also saw the faxed permit.

Despite now having a copy of the permit, the immigration officer Mhanje insisted to the police that they lock the Zimbabwean up in a cell.


The police held the foreigner’s phone while he was in the cell so he could not communicate. Mhanje then took Frank out of the police station to explain a way to get his frien out Outside, Mhanje and Gerard said that Frank should bring Tsh 200,000 in two hours. Frank said he only had Tsh 50,000.

They said that is not enough. Frank did not initially pay anything and his first priority was to bring his friend some food and water that he did. Meanwhile Elaine went to the Immigration department in Dar es Salaam and explained the situation.

Theywere sympathetic but said that as office hours were finished they could not communicate with the immigration officers in Morogoro. The man was locked in an extremely small cell together with 5 others and later 7 others, some being held as rape and robbery suspects.


In the next morning the woman went again to the immigration department in Dar es Salaam, and the deputy head of immigration there phoned the head of immigration in Morogoro, who denied any knowledge of a Tsh 200,000 fine or bail.

In the morning the suspect reported to the immigration
office in Msamvu. He asked for Frank¹s Tembo ATM card back which he received back. He then asked for the Tsh 200,000, which he had thought wasbail/security/bond to guarantee he would report.

Gerard and Mhanje denied that they had ever received Tsh 200,000. And finally he was released and travelled back to Dar es Salaam .
However, when this paper contacted to the Immigration head office in Dar es salaam, the deputy immigration commissioner, public relations Mr. Abdi Ijimbo confirmed the report but refuted the corruption report and mistreatment against the foreigner.

“Yes it is true that the foreigner was arrested in a hotel in Morogoro due to the fact that he did not carry his working and residence permit by that time but he was released without conditions,” he said

He said that it also not necessary for foreigners to carry their originals since the copies are enough for evidence. He blamed them on not to accept the copies provided by a Zimbabwean.

However, he say that there was no report yet that shows the officials engaged in bribes.

“I have no any information of bribes from the immigration department in Morogoro may be you can ask the police” he said.