As Christmas and the New Year approach, at least 54 households living in vulnerable conditions in Uyole Constituency have received food items and cash support to enable them to celebrate the festive season with dignity and renewed hope.
The support was provided on December 21, 2025, by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Uyole Member of Parliament and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr Tulia Ackson, shortly after personally handing over the assistance to beneficiaries.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr Tulia said the initiative aims to reach all 13 wards of Uyole Constituency and benefit a total of 130 households, in line with her commitment to ensure that no resident is left out during the festive period.
She said the programme also seeks to nurture a culture of caring within communities, encouraging neighbours to look out for one another, especially at a time of celebration.
She noted that through the Tulia Trust, an organisation she leads, the support has become an annual tradition ahead of Christmas, targeting citizens living in difficult circumstances so they can celebrate the season like other members of society.
On the day, six wards were reached and 54 households received food supplies alongside cash to meet basic household needs.
Dr Tulia also cited a gesture by a local artist who, while passing through Nsalaga area, was moved to offer assistance to some of the beneficiaries.
She described the act as a lesson to the wider community on the importance of collective responsibility in supporting the less fortunate.
Mwansekwa Ward Councillor Juma Mwakalobo commended Dr Tulia’s leadership experience, noting that she previously served as Member of Parliament for Mbeya Urban, which had 36 wards, and successfully oversaw development initiatives.
He said her current leadership of Uyole Constituency, which has 13 wards, has made it easier to closely monitor and implement community-focused programmes. In Mwansekwa Ward, he said, 12 households benefited from the festive support.
He added that volunteers from Tulia Trust frequently visit the ward to assess social needs. Last month, he said, the team identified about 200 students from vulnerable families who are set to benefit from school uniforms and exercise books.
Meanwhile, Mwansekwa Ward Tulia Trust Coordinator Athuman Kapuya said the trust had identified 12 beneficiaries in the ward to receive food and cash assistance ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
In this phase of the outreach, support was extended to the wards of Mwakibete, Mwansekwa, Tembela, Mwasanga and Ilomba, with the programme expected to continue to the remaining wards in the coming days.