Veteran journalist Neville Charles Meena has secured another four-year term as chairman of the Rural Journalists Association of Tanzania (RUJAT), winning an overwhelming 74 of the 77 votes cast in an election held in Dodoma.
Mr Meena, a former secretary of the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) and one of RUJAT's founders, defeated Rashid Abdullah Mtagaluka and Andrea Ashery Ngolola to retain the position.
The election took place on October 31, 2026, at the Dodoma Regional Commissioner's Office, with the results announced by election committee chairman Felix Mwakyembe.
Speaking after the announcement, Mr Meena described the strong mandate from members as a responsibility he must repay through dedicated service.
He pledged to strengthen the association and advance its core mission of ensuring that issues affecting rural communities receive greater attention in the media.
He said his priorities would include working with other elected leaders to build journalists' professional capacity, particularly in producing stories that address public concerns and reflect the interests of rural populations.
The commitment places rural reporting at the centre of the association's next four-year agenda, with a focus on improving the quality and reach of journalism beyond major urban centres.
Rural communities often face challenges that receive limited media attention, making the role of local journalists important in bringing issues affecting access to public services, livelihoods and development opportunities into national discussions.
In other results, Hamida Ramadhan from Dodoma Region was elected vice-chairperson, while Prosper Laurent Kwigize from Kasulu District in Kigoma Region retained the secretary's position with 76 votes out of 77.
Zena Mohamed Chitwanga was elected treasurer.
Members also elected seven people to the executive committee: Musa Juma Siwayombe, Devotha Martine Paul, Malunde Kadama, Rashid Abdullah Mtagaluka, Anna Robi, Andrea Ashery Ngolola and Fadhili Abdallah Mwangamola.
Under constitutional amendments approved by members, the new leadership will serve a four-year term before the next election.
The election gives Mr Meena another opportunity to steer the association's efforts to strengthen rural journalism and ensure that communities outside major cities have a stronger voice in the country's media landscape.