McHANCY REPORTER NewZ

IN African countries where journalists are targeted with killings and beatings while traditional news outlets have been muzzled by governments and other actors unhappy with criticism, bloggers and social media users have become the new independent media by providing much-needed coverage, commentary and analysis.   The new frontier for clampdowns on free expression is now social media. The same repressive tactics are being transferred from traditional media as we know it to private citizens who dare share information and news. In East Africa, some administrations, done with decimating independent traditional media, are now moving to crush dissent online in new ways — using economics as the weapon of choice. In Tanzania, the government of President John Magufuli last month craftily enacted legislation requiring all online publishers, including bloggers and podcasters to pay around US$920 — unaffordable for most of the country’s bloggers — for the privilege of posting content online

BESIDES being phonetically splendid, the Kiswahili language, of which Tanzania is privileged to be the nerve-centre and one of the country’s identification tags, is rich in sayings of the wise. One of them is ‘Asiyesikia la mkuu huvunjika guu’, which liberally translates as ‘Whoever ignores the advice of an elder risks suffering grave consequences’. Mzee Yusufu Makamba, now in retirement, is one of the country’s prominent politicians. He has additionally endeared himself to many of his compatriots through being deeply humourous. Typical of those who are so endowed, part of the humour is brutally frank, but this is driven by the well-intentioned purpose of getting the message across emphatically. Those with sharp memories and more-so the ones who were at least young adults then, may recall that, when he was Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mzee Makamba was steadfast in a mission to get people living in low-lying, flood-prone areas to relocate to high-ground, safer ones. He had ar

PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has warned that proven corrupt and lazy government leaders risk dismissal under the ongoing public service reforms. “I have dismissed some civil servants because of underperforming, misuse of public funds, and corruption.   I will not spare anybody in the government who may be linked to misconduct in the public service,” Dr Shein said during an address to local CCM leaders in Jamhuri Hall in Wete District. He asked leaders at all levels in Zanzibar, particularly in public offices, to observe ethics and avoid engaging in corruption and other misdeeds that tarnish the image of the Isles’ government. Meanwhile, Dr Shein has urged Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members and government leaders to embark on preparations for victory in future elections in the Isles and the mainland. He made the call in Pemba South District where he met grassroots party leaders. “Your job as leaders and CCM members at local level, among other duties, is to prepare the ground for victory

PRESIDENT John Magufuli made a surprise announcement yesterday by declaring that the country’s first flyover at the junction of Mandela Expressway and Nyerere Road at Tazara should be named Mfugale Flyover after the Chief Executive of Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Eng Patrick Mfugale.   The First Citizen made the declaration in recognition of the steadfast contribution and expertise of Eng Mfugale in supervising and personally taking part in designing road and bridge projects in many parts of the country. Dr Magufuli made the announcement during the launch of a 384-metres Bridge over Kilombero River built at the cost of 61bn/- which was earlier named Magufuli Bridge by the Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Prof Makame Mbarawa. Earlier, Prof Mbarawa named the bridge after President Magufuli, owing to powers vested on the Minister through the Road Act number 19 of 2007 and its regulations of 2009. “Given his committed work at Tazara flyover and detailed desi

MAJOR reforms have been ushered in the education sector with electronic registration of all pupils from standard one to seven in public and private primary schools in Tanzania Mainland through the launching of Primary Records   expand the electronic registration system to cover students in secondary schools and eventually institutions of higher learning. All the registered primary students have been given unique identification numbers. A brainchild of NECTA, the system is aimed at addressing a litany of challenges facing the education sector, such as submission of the names of ghost pupils by some dishonest heads of primary schools to the government so that they can pocket extra funds allocated to the schools through the free education policy. Through PReM, all details of the pupils as well as their parents and guardians are recorded where the young learners are given a unique identification number to be used throughout their education. Local experts at NECTA who designed PReM reveal

CONTRACTORS who were paid public funds by the State to implement water projects and failed to accomplish them have been forewarned to either complete them or refund the funds lest they face the long arm of the law.   President John Magufuli issued the warning in Morogoro Region yesterday where he directed the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, to travel to the region to inspect all pending and ongoing water projects. Dr Magufuli issued the warning and directives while addressing a public rally in Morogoro during an occasion to lay a foundation stone for construction of 66.9 kilometres of tarmac road between Kidatu and Ifakara in the region. The First Citizen also directed security agencies, including the police and Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to act swiftly to pin downcontractors who had reportedly disappeared. “I have been informed that some contractors were paid money for the projects but they have failed t

SIX Lake Zone regions are expected to benefit from the District Health Facility Financing (DHFF) training that targets to provide knowledge of good management of health funds and implementation of Private Vendor System (PVS) in the purchasing of medicines and health equipments.   Speaking during a three day training to health officers and district health representative, an official from Health Promotion and System Strengthening (HPSS), Gideon Christopher said the training will help the health officers in promoting health services in their areas. Christopher said through their HPSS project, they will continue supporting the government in the modification of the Community Health Fund (CHF) system as well as spreading CHF system to the whole country. He further said that previously the project was only in Dodoma and later in 2015 it was taken to Morogoro and Shinyanga. The three days training is conducted from Mwanza district with health officers from Ilemela, Magu, Ukerewe, Nyamagana,

EXACTLY one year after the tragic bus accident which claimed the lives of 32 primary school pupils, their 2 teachers and a driver in Rhotia, the Karatu District Authorities are organizing a special mass today (Sunday) to remember the victims   “We have completed the special monument in commemoration of the 35 school bus crash victims at the last year’s accident site,” said the Karatu District Commissioner, Ms Theresia Mahonga. The District Commissioner added that a special reminiscence and tribute mass will also be held at the scene this evening from 3.30 pm and will involve various religious leaders and local residents. A visit to the site revealed workmen putting final touches to the monument, in addition to leveling the grounds, a bit of landscaping and flower planting, indicating that it may soon become a botanical garden or even a tourism site. On a day like this last year, on the 6th of May 2017, a school bus belonging to Lucky Vincent Primary School, which was travelling from

RESEARCH has shown that sepsis is among the leading causes of death in newborns countrywide, responsible for around 30 per cent of mortalities. Additionally, recent studies estimate that the prevalence of sepsis among babies in Dar es Salaam hospitals is between 25 per cent and 30 per cent.   According to a statement issued by WaterAid Tanzania, Simavi, and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), something can be done to prevent sepsis as well as other Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI). “By proving adequate access to water and sanitation facilities and ensuring good hygiene practices at healthcare facilities, including hand washing practices by healthcare workers sepsis among HCAI can be prevented,” the statement said. As the world marks the World Hand Hygiene Day, the three parties have called upon all health workers and health facility leaders to make hand hygiene a priority. “This simple but effective action could help to improve the quality of healthcare service

GERMANY is about to pour in 18 billion/- to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan. The East African Community Secretary General, Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko, stated here that the EAC was finalising the deal with Germany, to that effect.   “We are in the process of finalising an agreement of Euro 5 million to support the “Creating Perspectives: Business for Development in East Africa” project, stated Ambassador Mfumukeko. He added that the aim of the project was to improve growth opportunities for small and medium- sized enterprises in East Africa. The EAC in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Germany, according to the Secretary General, continued to grow and become stronger and that the project would be implemented in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and East African Business Council (EABC) . Ambassador Mfumukeko was speaking here during the occasion to welcome the