Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has lifted a ban on four newspapers that were shut down under the regime of her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli, as she embarks on implementing her promised reforms.
Lift media ban
This week, the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology announced it had revoked the suspension of licences for Tanzania Daima, Mawio, Mwanahalisi and Mseto.
The publications were initially said to be troublemakers and unethical when the government revoked their licences.
However, Minister Nape Nauye told a meeting with editors in Dar es Salaam that the licences were restored as part of the country’s continued efforts to support civil liberties.
“The President's order is law and must be enforced. Today, I will restore licences to the four (banned) newspapers,” he said
“It’s good to start a new chapter…let work continue.”
Media law and safety of journalists
In 2016, Tanzania enacted the Media Services Act that allowed the government to shut down media houses, or suspend publications and broadcasts.
It was followed with a rapid clampdown, including demanding registration from YouTubers and bloggers as well as restricting cue-ins by local TV stations to global channels. Newspapers touching on sensitive issues were quickly shut down.
The International Press Institute (IPI), an association of editors, media executives and leading journalists, and which had initially criticised the clampdown, has welcomed the new reforms and called for further action to ensure oppressive laws are repealed.
“Lawmakers must urgently bring Tanzania’s media laws in line with international standards to prevent the threat of censorship in the future,” Ravi R. Prasad, IPI Director of Advocacy, said in an earlier statement.
“In addition, attacks against journalists in recent years must be the subject of serious and thorough investigations to prevent impunity.”
It is the same call made on Wednesday by the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile, after a meeting between the Forum and the Communication Minister in Dar es Salaam.
The minister said the newspapers will be required to operate within the law as the country tries to build a united nation.
Reforms
The minister’s announcement comes nearly a year into President Samia’s tenure and 10 months after she ordered public officials to stop harassing the media, reassured the country of freedom of expression and directed the lifting of bans on media banned.
At a briefing in Dar es Salaam in April last year, she said the media should be let free to operate as long as they work within the law.
President Samia has embarked on overturning some controversial policies of her predecessor, including getting back into the global fold to fight the Covid-19 pandemic which President Magufuli had denied.
Tanzania now fully embraces Covid-19 protocols, including vaccination and announcing infection rates.
She had also lifted the ban on pregnant girls and teen mothers attending school, a controversial stance first imposed by Magufuli in 2017. - AGGREY MUTAMBO, The EastAfrican
Cabinet secretaries Fred Matiang'i and his agriculture counterpart Peter Munya arriving Chiakariga in Tharaka Nithi County during the unveiling of the new Chiakariga Sub-County administration unit on Thursday February 10, 2022. Photo Courtesy/Image:CYRUS OMBATI
Munya urged critics who are still in government to respect the President.
In Summary
• Citing examples of many government projects, the CS told off those smearing the President’s track record.
• Munya urged critics who are still in government to respect the President
Two Cabinet Secretaries on Thursday told off political leaders claiming credit for the Government’s development projects while criticizing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
Interior CS Fred Matiangi and his Agriculture counterpart Peter Munya said it was hypocritical of such leaders to condemn the government while claiming political mileage for development projects it has undertaken.
“It’s very dishonest for leaders to take credit for all the many projects President Kenyatta has initiated and at the same time accuse the same government of doing nothing. It cannot be a case of both,” Matiangi said.
Citing examples of many government projects, the CS told off those smearing the President’s track record.
He said: “There is a trend we are witnessing now where some people are criticising the government saying it has done nothing. It is simply baffling! We can as well say we are now issuing licenses for telling lies. Just look around and count the number of completed and ongoing projects,” he said.
Munya urged critics who are still in government to respect the President and allow for incremental development arguing it was impossible to meet every community’s wish list.
Cabinet secretary for interior Fred Matiang'i addressing residents of Chiakariga in Tharaka Nithi County during the unveiling of the new Chiakariga Sub-County administration unit on Thursday February 10, 2022. Photo Courtesy/Image:CYRUS OMBATI
He drew parallels with the US, which is still undertaking development projects after three centuries of independence.
“We cannot say that we are where we should be, but let’s learn to give credit where it’s due. We all know that those spreading the campaign that the government has done nothing are bitter and selfish people who have overrun themselves and their shortcuts to power have hit a dead end.”
They spoke at a public baraza in Chiakariga in Tharaka Nithi County during the unveiling of the new Chiakariga Sub-County administration unit.
The leaders who also addressed meetings in Kiriirie SDA church and Tunyai Mixed Day secondary school urged voters to be wary of dishonest politicians cherry-picking on the Government development agenda.
Matiangi also announced the gazetting of another Sub-County, Muthambi in the same county.
Cabinet secretaries Fred Matiang'i and Peter Munya holding a baraza in Chiakariga in Tharaka Nithi County during the unveiling of the new Chiakariga Sub-County administration unit on Thursday February 10, 2022.
He urged residents to take advantage of the new administration units to access government services.
“What these units mean is that residents can now obtain IDs, birth and death certificates and other important documents easily. When we’re recruiting for police and other agencies, we will now have a recruitment code for Chiakariga for our local sons and daughters.”
They also promised to fast track the completion of pending government-funded projects in the counties. They pledged the government's commitment to ring-fence resources to expand competence-based curriculum (CBC) infrastructure across the country.
As an example of this expansion, they handed over a Sh5 million cheque to Tunyai Mixed Day Secondary School for the construction of a modern laboratory.
Leaders including Governor Muthomi Njuki and Senator Kithure Kindiki had asked the ministers to ensure ongoing projects are completed during President Kenyatta’s tenure.
Also present was Former CAS Lands and Physical Planning Gideon Mung’aro, Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow, local MPs and political aspirants and other opinion leaders. By Cyrus Ombati, The Star
Kampala, Uganda - On Saturday, January 22, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander of Land Forces, Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, and son of President Yoweri Museveni, traveled to Rwanda to meet with President Paul Kagame in Kigali to resolve long-standing misunderstandings between the two sister countries.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, dressed in a Tuxedo Light Blue Suit, Burgundy Polka Dots Skinny Red Tie, N95 face mask, and Melton Cap Toe Black Calfskin shoes, appeared peaceful, joyful, and tranquil with his bald head and Channel O round beard cut style.
He was received at Village Urugwiro by the Rwandan President Paul Kagame who also seemed happy and welcomed him as if President Museveni had made a right choice by sending his son for a dialogue.
The two talked on the initiatives that need to be taken to mend Rwanda-Uganda ties.
Kagame and Muhoozi, "had courteous, productive, and forward-looking discussions regarding Rwanda's concerns and practical initiatives needed to rebuild the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda," according to Village Urugwiro.
Muhoozi tweeted shortly after his return home that the two had "extremely courteous and in-depth discussions about how to enhance bilateral relations."
He expressed optimism that "under the leadership of our two Presidents, we will be able to quickly restore our historic good relations."
Muhoozi's visit came after that of Amb Adonia Ayebare, who was in Kigali to deliver President Museveni's special message.
Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), remarked after returning to Kampala from a successful mission to Kigali that they had a depth talk with president Kagame.
"We had a very pleasant and in-depth talk about how to strengthen our bilateral relations," she said.
"I am optimistic that under the leadership of our two Presidents, we will be able to quickly repair our long-standing strong ties," Muhoozi added.
He also brought a Ugandan Special Forces (SFC) soldier who had been kidnapped by Rwanda back with him.
"I also want to express my gratitude to President Kagame for granting my plea to release our SFC soldier, Private Ronald Arinda, who crossed into Rwandan territory without permission on personal business.
I flew back to Uganda with him tonight. "Long live the two countries' friendship," Muhoozi remarked.
Rwanda also released a statement about the same and part of it reads as follow;
"President Kagame and General Muhoozi had friendly, productive, and forward-looking discussions regarding Rwanda's concerns and practical initiatives needed to rebuild the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda," Rwanda stated in a statement.
The visit comes just days after Uganda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, delivered a special message to Kigali as part of ongoing efforts to improve relations with Rwanda.
After exchanging charges of eavesdropping, political murder, and meddling, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni struck an accord in Angola two years ago to defuse tensions.
After a three-year lockdown, Rwanda announced Friday that it will restore its land border with Uganda at the end of the month, signaling a breakthrough in tense relations between the neighbors.
The action comes after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's powerful son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, visited Kigali last weekend and offered to reestablish ties with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
In February 2019, the border was closed because to escalating political tensions between Kigali and Kampala, which harmed two-way trade.
The current move by Uganda to adhere to Rwanda’s demands is raising questions to whether General Muhoozi Kainerugaba can mend the broken relation between the two countries for all.
There are good signs that indicate that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is doing perfectly well on this role assigned to him by his father President Museveni.
To show Rwanda that Uganda was reread to mend the relationship, President Museveni made changes to his military intelligence in Kampala, by demoting Maj-Gen Abel Kandiho who was the face of torture in Rwandans' eyes to a lowly military attaché post in South Sudan.
Both countries are led by army veterans, one of whom prevented the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 and the other of whom came to power after defeating Milton Obote and his Uganda National Liberation Army in 1986.
However, while they share a history dating back to the war years, their ties have been sour, impacting road transit and trade.
Despite the fact that their capitals are only 500 kilometers apart, people must now fly between them due to the closure of border crossings.
Muhoozi's trip to Kigali, on the other hand, was partly motivated by the prospect of rekindling old friendships.
Rwanda closed the border crossing in February 2019 after accusing Uganda of assisting rebel groups in an attempt to destabilize Rwanda while, Uganda accused Rwanda's government of spying.
According to the Rwandan statement, the government has taken note of a procedure to resolve issues presented by Rwanda, as well as Ugandan government commitments to remove remaining hurdles.
The Gatuna border station will reopen Monday, according to the Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following a visit by Ugandan Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son, last week.
The closure of the Gatuna-Katuna crossing put Rwandan and Ugandan citizens doing business over the border in a financial bind.
Rwanda's declaration on Friday that it will restore its border after a three-year closure was hailed by Ugandan traders.
The head of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, on Wednesday joined Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to formally launch the construction of the landmark Dodoma City Outer Ring Road project.
Hundreds of local residents gathered to witness the occasion in the country’s capital, Dodoma. They waved the Tanzanian flag and jubilated as the two leaders laid the foundation stone. The 112.3-kilometer road project, largely funded by the African Development Bank, forms part of the Trans-African Highway Corridor that links Cape Town to Cairo via Dodoma, crossing the Central Corridor via Dar es Salaam to the interior of Tanzania.
President Hassan thanked the Bank for its vital role in the country’s development. “We salute the African Development Bank for its strategic support to Tanzania, especially its support in infrastructure development,” she said as she paid tribute to her predecessor, the late President John Magufuli, for initiating the project. “This road will open markets for us, enabling us to produce more and build the economy.”
Adesina was loudly cheered by residents and Tanzania’s government officials as he highlighted the various projects in Tanzania that the African Development Bank is funding. “As we lay the foundation stone today, we are also laying the foundation stone for a better future for Tanzania,” he said.
“The Dodoma Outer Ring Road is more than a road project. It will include well-designed social infrastructure that benefits the youth and women, strengthen the institutional capacity of the executing agencies, and deliver improved road safety measures,” said Adesina.
The total project cost is $214.69 million, with the Bank providing nearly 65% of the funding or about $137.3 million
The African Development Bank Group approved funding for the Dodoma City Outer Ring Road in 2019. The total project cost is $214.69 million, with the Bank providing nearly 65% of the funding or about $137.3 million. A further $41.8 million comes from the Africa Growing Together Fund, financed by the People’s Bank of China. The Tanzanian government’s contribution to the project is $34.5 million.
The road project forms part of a masterplan to transform greater Dodoma into a thriving, sustainable city for its 2.4 million people. It serves the regional markets in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrating one of the African Development Bank’s High Five priorities – ‘Integrate Africa’.
Once completed, the road is expected to improve accessibility to and around Dodoma City and the region. It will also reduce transport costs and travel times.
Dodoma residents are already looking forward to the difference the new road will make in their daily lives. “The road will improve my taxi business, as I will be able to make many trips with customers,” said Vincent Donald, a Dodoma taxi driver. “Before, I managed only a few trips because of the rough road,” he added.
Adesina arrived in Tanzania on Monday for a three-day official visit of the country. He was accompanied to Dodoma by the Bank’s senior officials, including the Executive Director for East Africa Amos Cheptoo, the Regional Director General Nnenna Nwabufo, Director for Strategy Alex Mubiru, Chief Economist for Tanzania Jacob Oduor, who is also the Officer-in-Charge of the Bank’s office in Tanzania, Senior Advisor to the Bank President on Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Dr. Victor Oladokun and the Director of Communication and External Relations Solomon Mugera.
Ahead of the laying of the foundation stone, Adesina held talks with President Hassan to discuss future collaboration.
Tanzania, a founding member of the African Development Bank, enjoys one of the largest Bank portfolios in the East Africa region. As at January 2022, the Bank’s active portfolio consisted of 23 operations valued at $2.5 billion. By Joyce Mulama AfDB Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB
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