Since the early years of our independence, incitement cases in Tanzania have rarely reached a logical conclusion in court.
Most either collapse on technical grounds, are withdrawn by prosecutors, or fade into obscurity.
The challenge, almost always, lies in how the charge itself is interpreted, and more crucially, in the evidentiary burden required to prove it.
For a charge of incitement to stand, courts generally require proof that the accused’s words were not only provocative but also effective, that they actually compelled someone to act.
Legal precedent demands that witnesses come forward to say they were influenced to take specific steps as a result of what was said.
In the absence of such evidence, conviction becomes nearly impossible.
Yet, in recent times, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)’s Ethics Committee seems to be operating under a different legal standard.
Despite including lawyers who understand the strict requirements of incitement law, the committee has handed out verdicts with little regard for this legal threshold.
A recent case in point: Young Africans (Yanga) media officer Ali Kamwe was found guilty of incitement after posting on Instagram about questionable refereeing decisions and calling for an investigation. If this qualifies as incitement, then we are redefining the term entirely.
There was no evidence that any fan took action based on Kamwe’s remarks, no protest, no aggression, no plan of retaliation. Just a comment, and a call for scrutiny.
Now contrast that with what transpired just weeks ago, ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba SC and RS Berkane.
In a highly charged pre-match meeting, former Simba chairman Hassan Dalali issued statements that bordered on incitement to violence, suggesting, in effect, that those who might sabotage Simba’s chances should be met with physical retaliation.
These words were then reinforced and repeated by Simba spokesperson Ahmed Ally.
Unlike Kamwe’s case, this time there were visible consequences. On match day, some Simba supporters turned aggressive.
Yanga fans were assaulted, ejected from stands, and even had their clothes torn, merely for being suspected of supporting the opposing team.
There was a direct link between the words spoken and the actions taken by fans. If that does not constitute incitement, then what does?
To date, neither Dalali nor Ally has been summoned by the Ethics Committee to explain their conduct. No official communication. No disciplinary proceedings. Nothing.
This glaring inconsistency raises serious concerns. How is it that a comment on social media, one that provoked no visible response, is met with disciplinary action, while inflammatory speech that incited real-life violence is ignored? Such selective enforcement breeds mistrust and undermines the integrity of TFF’s leadership.
Yanga, understandably, feels targeted. Five of its media officers have been dragged before the Ethics Committee and punished.
Meanwhile, similar or even more serious infractions on the other side go unaddressed.
It is difficult to explain this away without raising questions of bias, favouritism, or worse.
This issue goes beyond football administration. The kind of incitement we witnessed in the Amaan Stadium debacle should concern law enforcement.
The police have a constitutional duty to safeguard people and property.
When fans are beaten and humiliated in full view of national and international guests, including Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi and CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe—it becomes a matter of national shame.
It is also a poor reflection of our readiness to host major tournaments.
With CHAN scheduled for August and AFCON 2027 on the horizon, we are at a critical juncture.
Hosting these events is not about filling stadiums with fans; it is about demonstrating our maturity in football governance, law enforcement, youth development, and infrastructure readiness.
If we cannot guarantee fairness, order, and integrity at domestic matches, what message are we sending to the continent?
TFF must address ethical breaches with consistency and courage. If Dalali and Ally are found to have incited violence, they should face the same scrutiny and penalties as others before them.
If they are innocent, then let a transparent process clear their names.
But silence, in the face of such serious allegations, is not neutrality, it is complicity.
The author is a seasoned sports commentator and media analyst. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Citizen.
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
Inside Tanzania’s Life-Saving Birthcare Model
Tanzania is winning the battle against maternal and newborn deaths, as the latest numbers reveal a significant decline.
“Tanzania is committed to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and ensuring safe deliveries as part of the national development plan. The Safer Births Bundle of Care is one of the key strategies supporting this effort,” said Dr. Benjamin Kamala, the Senior Research Scientist at Haydom Lutheran Hospital and Principal Investigator for the program, leading its implementation across five regions in Tanzania.
A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the innovative health program in Tanzania – centered on regular, on-the-job training for healthcare workers – reduced maternal deaths by 75% and early newborn deaths by 40%. The three-year study, conducted across 30 high-burden healthcare facilities in Tanzania, tracked approximately 300,000 mother-baby pairs under the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme. The programme focuses on improving care for mothers and babies during the day of birth, the critical time when a woman goes into labor and delivers her baby.
Maternal health is a key focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Tanzania’s program combines continuous, simulation-based training for frontline healthcare workers alongside innovative clinical tools to improve labour monitoring (fetal heart rate monitoring) and newborn resuscitation.It also uses data to drive ongoing improvements, ensuring that healthcare workers have the skills, confidence, and competence to manage birth-related complications for both mothers and newborns.
“We work closely with healthcare workers, equipping them with the necessary tools to improve the quality of care, ensuring they can effectively manage both mothers and babies during and after childbirth,” Dr. Kamala said, which helps them build on over a decade of innovative research and collaboration to improve care during childbirth.
“To give you a sense of the scale of the burden of maternal and newborn mortality in Tanzania when the Safer Births Bundles of Care program was in early development in 2015/16, there were around 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 25 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births,” he said.
The published study demonstrates the “transformative impact” of the Safer Births Bundle of Care program conducted across 30 hospitals in five high-burden regions of Tanzania, where there were about 300,000 mother-baby pairs.
Maternal deaths at the start of the program were recorded at 240 per 100,000 live births, with postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders being the leading causes of death, he said. Over the 24-month study period, this number dropped to approximately 60 per 100,000 live births, representing a 75% reduction. The number of newborn deaths – which are primarily due to breathing difficulties and complications related to prematurity – declined by 40% – from 7 deaths per 1,000 live births to 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“These results are remarkable,” Dr. Kamala said.
According to Dr. Kamala, the 75% reduction in maternal deaths was not expected, and a key lesson was the important role of the in-situ team simulations – including for postpartum bleeding – with reflective debriefings that trained facilitators led.
“This seems to be a major part of the success of the program,” he said. “We are delighted by these results and hope that other countries adopt and scale the Safer Births Bundle of Care program… Beyond the numbers, the Safer Births Bundle of Care program has fostered a dramatic culture shift in our healthcare system,” he said. “Healthcare workers are now more confident and better equipped to handle birth-related complications for both mothers and babies.”
Maternal death drop
Dr. Kamala attributed the 60-70% reduction in newborn deaths in Geita and Manyara to several factors.
“Firstly, Manyara was the first site for implementation, giving the region more time to adapt and experience the impact of the program. Most importantly, both regions had a high burden of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, making them ideal targets for focused intervention. As a result, newborn deaths decreased by 60-70%, showcasing a clear positive impact on newborn survival,” he said.
Dr. Kamala said another possible explanation is the differences in the culture of practices, where some health facilities reported inaccurate data due to the fear of blame and shame. However, with the project’s implementation, reporting became more accurate after mplementation. Some regions, such as Tabora, reported an increase in the number of referrals to the study hospitals from other care centers after the program was implemented. These were more likely to be late admissions, which increase the likelihood of poor health outcomes, he said.
After the implementation of the program, there was a 40% decrease in newborn deaths within the first 24 hours after birth, according to the study.
Dr. Kamala said Tanzania’s remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality by 80% is driven by strategic investments and innovative programs focused on improving maternal and child survival rates.
“Over 2,000 new healthcare facilities have been developed, free health services are being provided to expectant mothers and children under the age of five, and emergency obstetric care – including better transport to hospitals in rural areas are helping to ensure timely, life-saving interventions.
“Most importantly, the Ministry of Health works in collaboration with healthcare workers, hospitals, and development partners to strengthen the skills of frontline healthcare workers, which has been a key factor in driving this progress.
“Political leadership, alongside strategic partnerships and financing, has been crucial in driving progress in maternal and newborn health,” he said.
The program was made possible by the support of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, Norad, UNICEF, and Laerdal Global Health, as well as the Ministry of Health and Haydom Lutheran Hospital. Their partnership and investment enabled the scaling of the Safer Births Bundle of Care to 30 hospitals and supported the research. “The government has now scaled the program to over 150 sites, and there are plans for further expansion to three regions this year and then nationally,” he said.
Dr. Kamala outlined key policy recommendations for other governments can adopt to prioritize maternal health.
“Firstly, it focuses on cost-effective and relatively simple interventions that are essential to preventing maternal and newborn deaths. For example, stronger primary healthcare that is delivered in the community and a well-trained healthcare workforce are also critical. Additionally, working in close collaboration with national, regional, and local health authorities is key.”
He said Tanzania’s approach, where the Safer Births Bundle of Care program was successfully scaled and sustained by aligning the initiative with national guidelines for obstetrical and newborn care. In addition, the creation of mentorship programs and regular supervision has helped to sustain the results.
Looking ahead
Tanzania now plans to expand to three new regions in 2025, followed by a nationwide rollout.
The success of the program has attracted interest from other countries, with Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, and Namibia expressing interest in adapting the program to their healthcare system. In Nigeria, the program has already been launched in two states, Gombe and Borno, marking a significant step in its scaling.
Source: allafrica.com
Ankaya Village: Experience active living and wise investment in Zanzibar
Ankaya Village offers more than just a place to live—it’s a lifestyle choice that’s as enriching as it is rewardingContinue Reading
Tanzania central bank tells hotels to obtain foreign currency exchange license
BoT governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, urges tourist hotel owners and operators to obtain foreign currency exchange licences to combat the black market.Continue Reading
