Mwananchi Credit blocked from selling seized lorries in Sh9.2m row

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Mwananchi Credit has failed in its bid to lift a court order blocking the microlender from selling two lorries belonging to two traders, which were seized over a disputed loan.

High Court judge Kizito Magare upheld the injunction issued by a Milimani magistrate blocking the microlender from selling the two lorries — a Mercedes truck and a Scania lorry, which were attached in March 2021.

The court was informed that Peter Kamau Githua and Elizabeth Wanjiku borrowed a loan of Sh2.5 million and charged the lorries as security. The traders said they had repaid Sh3 million but the lender was still demanding more money.

Justice Magare noted that the traders had pleaded and demonstrated that it was likely that the entire debt had been paid.

Secondly, the judge said, Mwananchi Credit is not a mortgagor as the chattel mortgage (the loan used to purchase the vehicles and which served as security of the loan) was not registered, making the attachment void and the amount claimed fictitious.

“There is also a contention that a sum of Sh9,254,767 is outstanding as per the records held by the appellant (Mwananchi). I am not a student in sorcery and magic, but I am unable to fathom the labyrinth or mathematical permutations and flagrant distortion of figures that caused a sum of Sh2,500,000 to become Sh9,254,767.24 despite payment of three million shillings,” the judge said.

The court was informed that the repossession of one of the lorries was made in a gangster-like move.

“If we are to let our microfinance fall into the same school as the shylocks, the court will be missing its duty,” said the judge.

The microlender moved to the High Court after the lower court blocked the sale arguing that there was a valid claim and that it had been registered.

But the traders maintained that they had paid all amounts due.

Ms Wanjiku said in an affidavit that one of the lorries was involved in an accident but they continued paying the loans.

In March 2021, the lender attached one of the vehicles and threw out the driver on the transit claiming a balance of Sh9.2 million.

Senior principal magistrate D.W. Mburu then granted the injunction in October 2021, pending the determination of the case.

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Northern Corridor states push for shorter Tanzania freights route

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
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By VINCENT OWINO

Countries backing the Northern Corridor—a regional road connectivity project—are seeking to woo Tanzania to allow cargo headed to Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to pass through its borders to shorten transit time and ease costs in a bid to boost the attractiveness of the Mombasa port.

The Northern Corridor, a network of 1,700 km long interconnected highways, starts from the port of Mombasa and serves Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Eastern DRC.

A meeting of ministers of transport from the six-member countries of the Northern Corridor last week ordered the secretariat Northern Corridor Transit and Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) to initiate talks with Tanzania over the proposal.

If successful, Northern Corridor trucks that have traditionally had to take the longer route from Mombasa through Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will take the shorter way through Tanzania, cutting about 400 kilometres of the travel distance.

Read: Northern Corridor truckers mull shift to Dar over tax

The council of ministers, chaired by Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala, said using the route, which passes through Taveta into Holili in Tanzania, will “not only reduce costs of transit transport but also increase Mombasa Port throughput.”

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The route is currently not being used by transporters because Tanzania, which is also seeking to boost the throughput at the Dar es Salaam port and the Central Corridor, has not geofenced it, preventing its use by cargo trucks destined for other countries.

The East African Community (EAC) customs union requires that trucks ferrying imported commodities be tracked using the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System Currently, truckers that opt for the short Taveta-Holili route have to deposit a “bond” for the cargo at the Mombasa port, submit it at the border, wait for its cancellation, then institute another one for Tanzania, a process that normally takes at least three days.

“That is why it is important that the section from Holili be geofenced. There’s a section of about 21 kilometres that has not been geofenced,” said Omae Nyarandi, executive secretary of NCTTCA.

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Tanzania: Why Tanzania Surpassing Literacy Rate Target Matters

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

MORE civic engagement and access to information have been listed by experts as the benefits that Tanzania is poised to gain as a result surpassing the target of increased literacy

The third National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) 2021/22 – 2025/26, targeted to make 81.6 per cent of the population aged 15 years and above literate. In analysis, the data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the target has been surpassed as currently 83 per cent of the population is literate.

In a separate interview with the ‘Daily News,’ the analysts noted that surpassing the target of having a majority of population literate will increase community engagement in various issues such as voting as well as access to information.

Commenting on the matter an Expert in education with the Tanzania Education Network (TenMet), Mr Nicodemus Shauri said having 83 per cent literate people is a significant achievement, indicating a high literacy rate.

He said such an increment has several implications for the country’s education and development, particularly economic growth.

“Literate individuals are more likely to participate in civic activities, such as voting, community decisionmaking, and advocacy, which can lead to more informed and active citizenship,” he asserted.

“Literacy enables individuals to access and understand information, which is crucial in making informed decisions about their health, education and personal development,” he added.

He further said despite the achievement attained, still there were areas that required special attention including bridging the gender gap in literacy rates.

“While literacy rate is high, the quality of education may still be a concern,” he said. His view was seconded by a lecturer at the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) -Mwanza Campus, Dr Honest Kimario who said the increase of literacy rate in the country implies Tanzania is effectively implementing global Sustainable Development Goal Number 4 which insists on the Quality Education for all.

“I really appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to ensure the three 3Rs (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) are under close implementation at the pre-primary and the first two years of primary education,” he pointed out.

Dr Kimario added that the increase of literacy rate to 83 per cent is an outcome of universal free primary education policy of the government which has made it possible for everyone to get education.

“The impact of increased literacy rate is expected to reduce crimes, growth of the economy and generally improve the livelihood of Tanzanians,” he added.

On his part, an educational consultant at HakiElimu, Dr Wilberforce Meena, said although the percentage reached is praiseworthy, more investment for the country’s adult education system is still required.

“To eliminate the existing gap of illiteracy in the country, it is important to increase investment in the adult education system and lifelong learning,” Dr Meena underlined.

In three years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership the government has significantly increased investment in education.

Tabling the national budget recently in National Assembly in Dodoma, Minister for Finance Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said the government continued to improve primary and secondary education by enhancing human resource, improving infrastructures and curriculum.

Source: allafrica.com

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Wapata dawa ya utoro, mimba kwa wanafunzi wa kike

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Mufindi. Ili kupunguza utoro na mimba kwa wanafunzi wa kike katika shule ya sekondari Ilongo iliyopo katika halmashauri ya wilaya ya Mufindi, Wakala wa Misitu Tanzania (TFS), kupitia shamba la miti la Sao Hill wametoa vifaa vya ujenzi wa bweni la wasichana vyenye thamani ya zaidi ya Sh30 milioni kwa ajili ya ujenzi wa bweni hilo.

Akizungumza baada ya kupokea vifaa hivyo leo Juni 29, 2024, Ofisa Elimu Sekondari Wilaya Mufindi, Daniel Mapilya amesema msaada huo uliotolewa na Sao Hill, una manufaa katika kupunguza viashiria hatarishi vya mimba kwa watoto wa kike shuleni.

“Wanafunzi hawa walikuwa wanapanga mitaani kwenye nyumba za wananchi bila kuwa na uangalizi wa aina yoyote, hivyo msaada huo wa vifaa vya kujenga bweni kutoka Sao Hill utawasaidia kusoma kwa pamoja wakiwa bwenini bila usumbufu wowote,” amesema Mapilya.

Amesema baada ya kukamilika kwa ujenzi wa bweni hilo, litawasaidia wanafunzi wao kwa kuwapunguzia kutembea umbali mrefu wa zaidi ya kilometa nane hadi kufika shuleni hapo.

Kwa upande wake, Ofisa Mtendaji wa Kata ya Ikweha, Tabia Chibwana amesema uwepo wa bweni hilo utasaidia kupunguza changamoto ya watoto wa kike kupata ujauzito, hivyo litasaidia watoto hao kutimiza ndoto zao.

Ofisa huyo amesema shule hiyo ina zaidi ya wanafunzi 448, kati yao 268 ni wanafunzi wa kike ambapo tangu kuanzishwa kwa shule hiyo mwaka 2007, wamekuwa wakipata changamoto ya wanafunzi hao kurubuniwa, hali ambayo imesababisha kupata ujauzito kwa sababu ya kukaa mitaani kwenye vyumba vya kupanga.

Mhifadhi Mkuu wa Sao Hill, Yebby Yoram amesema wataendelea kusaidia kadri bajeti itakavyokuwa kusaidia miradi kama hiyo katika maeneo mengine.

“Maombi mengi yanahusu miradi kama hii lakini kuna baadhi ya shule tumesaidia miradi hiyo ikiwemo shule ya sekondari Luganga, Changalawe pamoja na shule zingine,” amesema.

Awali akisoma taarifa ya vifaa hivyo, Mhifadhi Mwandamizi wa shamba la Sao Hill, Peter Nyahende amesema Sao Hill wanatambua umuhimu wa mazingira bora ya kutolea elimu kwa watoto hao kwa kukabidhi vifaa hivyo kwa ajili ya ujenzi wa bweni la wasichana katika shule hiyo.Continue Reading

Pingamizi mgombea ADC lapuuzwa, wanachama 197 kuamua

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Dar es Salaam. Wakati wapiga kura 197 wakitarajia kufanya uamuzi wa kikatiba kumchagua mwenyekiti mpya wa Chama cha Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC), Kamati ya uchaguzi huo imesema pingamizi alilowekewa mmoja wa wagombea wa nafasi ya mwenyekiti, Shabani Haji Itutu halijafuata kanuni za chama.

Itutu aliwekewa pingamizi na wanachama saba wa ADC, Ibrahim Pogora, Asha Milongea, Asha Mzee, Khadija Tambwe, Maisala Khamis, Doni Mnyamani na Halima Msumali wakidai ni mwanachama wa chama kingine cha upinzani.

Katibu wa kamati ya uchaguzi, Innocent Siriwa ameiambia Mwananchi Digital leo Ijumaa, Juni 28, 2024 kwamba wamepokea pingamizi hilo, lakini kwa mujibu wa kanuni za chama, kamati haitalifanyia kazi.

“Kwanza limekuja nje ya muda wa mapingamizi uliowekwa, lakini pia kanuni za chama zinaelekeza mtu anayetakiwa kumwekea pingamizi mgombea ni mgombea mwingine, sio wanachama,” amesema Siriwa.

Akizungumzia mchakato wa uchaguzi huo utakaofanyika kesho Jumamosi, Siriwa amesema mkutano mkuu utaanza saa 2:00 asubuhi na wanatarajia mchakato wote hadi kupata viongozi wapya wa ADC kukamilika saa 10:30 jioni kwenye hoteli ya Lamada, Ilala jijini Dar es Salaam.

“Wapiga kura ni 197 kutoka Bara na Zanzibar, wataanza kwa kumchagua mwenyekiti (nafasi hiyo inawaniwa na Itutu aliyewahi kuwa makamu mwenyekiti na Doyo Hassan Doyo aliyewahi kuwa katibu mkuu), mshindi atakabidhiwa madaraka na mwenyekiti anayemaliza muda wake (Hamad Rashid).

“Atakapokabidhiwa, mwenyekiti mpya ndiye ataendelea na mchakato wa kuwapata makamu mwenyekiti wa Bara na Zanzibar,” amesema Siriwa.

Wanaowania nafasi hiyo upande wa Bara ni Scola Kahana na Hassan Mvungi na Zanzibar ni Fatma Salehe na Shara Amrani huku pia kesho utafanyika uchaguzi wa nafasi 19 za wajumbe Bodi ya uongozi taifa.

Kwa mujibu wa Siriwa, nafasi hizi wagombea wake watachukua na kurudisha fomu siku hiyohiyo ya uchaguzi (kesho), watapigiwa kura siku hiyo ukumbini na kati ya watakaochaguliwa, robo au nusu ya idadi hiyo wanapaswa kutoka Zanzibar.

Kabla ya uchaguzi huo kesho, leo Ijumaa kuanzia saa moja usiku, Bodi ya Taifa ya uongozi ya ADC itakuwa na mkutano mkuu maalumu kupitisha ajenda za mkutano huo mkuu wa uchaguzi.

“Mkutano mkuu unatambuliwa na Bodi ya taifa ya uongozi, ambayo ndiyo itapitisha ajenda za mkutano mkuu wa kesho,” amesema Siriwa.

Kampeni za uchaguzi wa chama hicho zitakoma leo saa 12 jioni ambapo zitafungwa tayari kwa uchaguzi huo kesho, huku wagombea wakisisitizwa kufuata kanuni na taratibu za chama ambazo zimeelekeza kufanya kampeni za kukijenga na kugusa maisha ya wananchi.Continue Reading

Tanzania: Government, Traders Seal Beautiful Deal

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

DODOMA — THE government yesterday and the leaders of traders’ association held talks that culminated in agreeing to end the strike and resume business.

The government assured traders of conducive and uninterrupted business environment. The move followed a four-day strike whereas shops remained closed with traders demanding a number of issues to be resolved by the government.

The government side led by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa was locked in talks with traders’ association leaders since Wednesday in Dodoma.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Thobias Makoba told reporters shortly after the meeting between the government and representatives of traders in Dodoma that the two sides agreed on 15 resolutions and that the strike was called off.

He said the government reiterated its commitment to protect businesses and ensure conducive environment for doing businesses.

He said the government directed the Tanzania Revenue Authority to halt the crackdown of tax defaulters and all exercises related to tax operations until August, this year.

However, traders were directed to continue issuing electronic receipts for any payment made.

He said TRA also was ordered to come up with good and proper purchasing documentation system starting July, this year and follow agreed procedures to avoid disturbing traders.

Mr Makoba added that the government directed the Tanzania Port Authority to allocate more Inland Container Deports (ICDs) to enable smooth release of goods from the port and thus enable deconsolidation system to work as planned.

Moreover, TRA was ordered to educate the public on charges and various imposed levies. He said the public needs to understand changes and reforms on taxes at different levels to simplify collection and payment of taxes.

According to Mr Makoba, the government has pledged to continue allocating areas for petty traders and create good environment for them to operate.

Also, the government will continue with regular review of tax rates to enable traders to do profitable businesses and operate in conducive environments.

TRA, the main actor in the revenue industry, has been directed to finalise the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS) module for auto valuation of taxes including VAT returns and tax estimations issue.

Moreover, the Ministry of Finance has been tasked to coordinate the service levy evaluation and come up with the best arrangement to ensure the charges do not affect traders.

Mr Makoba said the government through the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities) will continue enforcing the laws, rules and regulations governing issuance of work permits provided to foreigners who work in the country.

“Stern legal measures will be taken against those who will be found violating the laid down regulations,” said Mr Makoba.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Youth Engagement in Agriculture Great Potential

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DAR ES SALAAM — TANZANIA has great potential to food self-sufficiency, by producing food locally without importing from abroad if the young population is properly involved in the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 AYuTe Africa Tanzania Challenge competition in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Resident Director of Heifer Project International, Mark Tsoxo said that there are more young people in Tanzania and that today’s agriculture needs manpower and innovative technology and the available resources can greatly transform the agricultural sector.

“It’s not that young people don’t like to participate in agriculture, young people like results more than the means to achieve results, so we need creativity to be able to attract young people to agriculture,” he said.

The AYuTe Tanzania Challenge was officially launched last year by Heifer International in collaboration with Sahara Ventures to help innovative young people in agriculture get opportunities for capital, training and meeting with investors.

He emphasised that modern agriculture requires the use of technology and with the AYuTe campaign, which is an acronym for Agriculture, Youth, Technology, they want young people to help make the agricultural sector vibrant and competitive to also create jobs.

Tsoxo also said that the foundation is at the forefront of environmental protection in its activities and stressed that the purpose of the fund is to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty and protect the environment.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Ventures, Jumanne Mtambalike said that while working with the foundation they have been able to help Tanzanian youths, especially those engaging in agricultural activities by using innovative technology to bring their solutions to the market and thus create jobs.

Mtambalike said that more than 65 per cent of the jobs that come from Africa are in the agricultural sector and that the sector has contributed 32 per cent of the GDP in Africa.

“Therefore, in collaboration with the foundation, we believe that the work we are doing is very important work in empowering young people and creating those opportunities,” said Mtambalike.

On his part, the Project Manager of AYuTe Challenge Tanzania, Emmanuel Senzighe, said that the winner of this year’s competition will receive 28m/-, the first runner-up 21m/-, and the second runner-up 14m/-.

The AYuTe Challenge Tanzania competition was officially launched last year by the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Abdallah Ulega, who emphasised that technology can be a springboard to attract many young people to participate in agricultural activities such as breeding and fishing.

Minister Ulega encouraged the use of technology in agriculture as it is the beginning of making many young people excited about the sector

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Resettlement Brings Renewed Hope for Congolese Refugee Family in Tanzania

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After 28 years in Tanzania’s Nyarugusu refugee camp, Ekyamba Alonda, 49, his wife Yohali and ten children, stand on the brink of resettlement to the United States of America, embodying a story of struggle, transformation, and the hope of a fresh start.

In 1996, deadly violence broke out in Ekyamba’s hometown in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), forcing his family and he to flee for their lives.

“We witnessed unspeakable horrors,” recalls Ekyamba Alonda the father of the family. “The moment I saw my uncle being shot right before our eyes is when I realized our only chance for survival was to leave,” he said.

Their journey to safety was fraught with peril, as they trekked through deep forests for two weeks until they reached safety at the shores of Lake Tanganyika. From there, they found passage into Tanzania, finding refuge in Nyarugusu refugee camp.

Settling in the camp, the Ekyambas found a semblance of normalcy amidst the uncertainty.

“The camp became our home. It is where we raised our ten children, where we found a community that shared our pain and our hopes,” said Yohali.

A new lease to life

After years of a rigorous submission process, the Ekyamba family finally received the news that they had been selected for resettlement in the United States of America in December 2023, bringing renewed hope for a better future. The resettlement process is comprehensive including identification, referral, interviews, and assessments, all aimed at preparing refugees like the Ekyamba family for a new life.

Congolese refugee families are boarding the bus from the Transit Center in Kasulu town to Kasulu airstrip as they begin their resettlement journey abroad.

© UNHCR/Sishuo Zhu Congolese refugee families depart from Kasulu airstrip to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as they begin their resettlement journey abroad.

© UNHCR/Sishuo Zhu Previous Next “When we received the news, it felt like we had just been given a new lease to life, a new beginning,” said Ekyamba. “With nonstop fighting in the DRC, returning home was impossible. And how can we when we have lost our land and livelihoods? The many years we have lived in the camp have also disconnected us from our roots; it would never have been the same,” he added.

“This opportunity to be resettled in the US gives me hope that my children can have a better education, and a chance for me to support my family as a breadwinner once again. For this opportunity, I am immensely grateful,” said Ekyamba.

Two of Ekyamba’s children together with his granddaughter have since departed.

“Dressed in their best, surrounded by friends and family, we watched as they boarded the bus. The camp erupted in cheers and tears – a farewell that etched itself in their hearts. This moment marked the end of their life in the camp and the beginning of their journey towards a new horizon,” remembered Ekyamba.

“Our hope is to build a secure future for our children.”Ekyamba Alonda, Congolese refugee

For UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, enhancing long term solutions to end cycles of displacement for people forced to flee is a key priority. Whether through supporting refugees to voluntarily and safely return back to their home countries, integrating them in the countries they have sought refuge or resettling refugees to a third country, UNHCR remains committed to ending the plight of forcibly displaced people in a sustainable manner. In 2023, UNHCR in Tanzania supported the resettlement of nearly 8,000 refugees mainly to Australia, Canada, France, and the United States.

For the Ekyambas, the journey ahead is filled with both excitement and apprehension.

“Our hope is to build a secure future for our children in the U.S and I hope they can benefit a bit from their talent for sport to build themselves a better future,” explains Ekyamba, “But adapting to a new culture and legal system will be challenging.” Nonetheless, the Ekyambas are determined to depart with courage and optimism.

Between 2012 and 2023, over 30,000 Congolese refugees have found new beginnings after being resettled from Tanzania. Yet a significant challenge looms. Currently, UNHCR has only received 15 percent of funds needed for the refugee response in Tanzania. Specifically on resettlement, 40 percent remains unfunded.

UNHCR continues to urgently appeal for stronger donor support for the refugee response in Tanzania, and help refugees build a future filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Source: allafrica.com

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