President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially inaugurates the Uhuru Torch history book by cutting the ribbon during the grand finale of the 2024 National Uhuru Torch Race at Furahisha Grounds, Mwanza Region. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Mwanza--President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called upon Tanzanians to participate actively in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 27, 2024. Emphasizing their importance as a precursor to the 2025 general elections, she stressed that these elections play a crucial role in promoting democracy and community involvement.
Speaking on October 14, 2024, during the climax of the 2024 National Uhuru Torch Race and the launch of the Uhuru Torch history book, President Samia urged citizens not to overlook the significance of these civic polls. "As the youth often say, ‘we should not take it lightly.’ This election is as important as any other and offers us a glimpse of what to expect in the general elections next year. I urge all eligible citizens to fully participate in this crucial election," she said.
The President also drew attention to the difference between the voter list used in local government elections and the permanent voter register for the general elections. She encouraged citizens to register in their respective areas, as doing so demonstrates public engagement in regional development and the management of community-level economic activities.
She further highlighted the importance of decentralized governance, noting that Tanzania’s administrative structures at regional, district, town, and village levels aim to empower citizens by involving them in decision-making processes. "These structures promote self-governance and ensure that the people have a direct say in decisions that affect their communities," she remarked.
Addressing the pressing issue of environmental challenges, President Samia linked pollution and climate change to the increasingly erratic weather patterns seen both in Tanzania and globally. She warned that issues such as unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and extreme weather events are impacting the lives of Tanzanians and stressed the need for collective action to mitigate these effects.
Minister Ridhiwan Kikwete, who oversees the Office of the Prime Minister (Labour, Youth, Employment, and Disabled Persons), reported on the achievements of the Uhuru Torch race. He stated that the torch had traveled over 37,235 kilometers, covering 31 regions and 195 councils over 195 days.
The race was led by six youth representatives from Zanzibar, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam, resulting in the planting of more than 150 million trees and the inspection of 1,595 projects valued at 11 trillion shillings, a significant increase compared to the previous year.
However, Kikwete also noted that 16 projects, worth 8.6 billion shillings, were found to have issues and were referred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for further investigation.
During her visit, President Samia also paid tribute to the late Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, marking the 25th anniversary of his passing. In addition, she toured Youth Week exhibitions at Furahisha Grounds and launched a book titled The Philosophy of the Uhuru Torch, authored by Job Lusinde and edited by Dr. Bashiru Ally.