Uyole Member of Parliament Dr Tulia Acksoni has defended her decision to publicly highlight assistance given to vulnerable people, saying the approach is aimed at encouraging a broader culture of solidarity and helping one another in society.
Dr Tulia said she uses the media and social media platforms to share information about the support she provides so as to inspire others to do the same, noting that acts of kindness should be learned, shared and replicated across communities.
She made the remarks on December 21, 2025, while leading the distribution of food and financial assistance to vulnerable residents ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities in the wards of Nsalaga, Mwansekwa, Mwakibete, Tembela and Mwansanga.
Addressing concerns from some quarters that such assistance exposes beneficiaries to public attention, Dr Tulia said the intention is not to embarrass anyone but to demonstrate that helping others is possible for everyone, regardless of their financial capacity.
She urged the public to give whatever they can, stressing that meaningful support does not have to be large.
As part of the festive support, each beneficiary received 20 kilograms of rice along with a small amount of money to help purchase vegetables and meet basic needs during the holiday season.
Dr Tulia said that after completing the distribution of Christmas and New Year assistance, her office will shift focus to supporting students in the next academic year, including the provision of school uniforms and other essential school requirements.
She also said plans are underway to provide free health insurance to vulnerable households, particularly elderly people, to ensure they have access to medical services without facing financial hardship.
One of the beneficiaries, 80-year-old Asyeke Chaula of Itezi Mlimani, said the support would help him meet basic needs, noting that getting a daily meal has become a major challenge due to old age and the absence of family support.
Mwakibete Ward councillor Lukac Mwampiki said his ward was among those that benefited from the initiative and thanked Dr Tulia on behalf of residents, saying the assistance had brought relief to many vulnerable households.