Samia: Mission accomplished

MWANZA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday handed over the Uhuru Torch and the National flag to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Jacob Mkunda, for placement on Mount Kilimanjaro, affirming that the torch has accomplished its tasks.

The President presented the torch to General Mkunda during the climax of the Uhuru Torch Race and Youth Week celebrations held in Mwanza.

She entrusted him with the responsibility of handing over the torch to a special military unit of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) to complete the symbolic journey of placing it atop Mount Kilimanjaro.

“Chief of Defence Forces, as was done on December 9, 1961, when the TPDF erected this torch on Mount Kilimanjaro, I now ask you to receive this torch and pass it on to your troops to place it once again on Kilimanjaro.

This will reassure our citizens that the mission entrusted to the Uhuru Torch has been successfully accomplished,” President Samia said. In response, General Mkunda said: “I, General Jacob Mkunda, accept the flag of Tanzania and the Uhuru Torch from the Commander-in-Chief, and I assure you that the TPDF will proudly place both the torch and the flag at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro as instructed, with all due honour.”

During her address to the citizens, leaders and guests at the ceremony, President Samia emphasised that the Uhuru Torch symbolises the philosophy of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, which was rooted in defending human rights and equality, while opposing oppression, corruption, bribery, hatred and disrespect.

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She noted that although global circumstances have changed, the country continues to uphold these principles, adapting them to the new political and economic systems of today’s world.

“When Mwalimu Nyerere lit this torch, we said, ‘We light the torch and place it on Mount Kilimanjaro to shine beyond our borders, bringing hope where there is none, love where there is hatred and respect where there is contempt,’” she quoted.

The late Brigadier Alexander Nyirenda, a TPDF officer, was the one who fulfilled Nyerere’s vision by first placing the Uhuru Torch on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Reflecting on the theme of the 2024 Uhuru Torch Race, “Protect the Environment and Participate in Local Elections to Build a Sustainable Nation,” President Samia stressed that environmental conservation remains one of the most pressing global challenges.

She called on citizens to heed the message of the Uhuru Torch by preserving the environment and urged authorities to enforce environmental laws rigorously.

Regarding the local government elections scheduled for November 27 this year, she highlighted the importance of citizen participation, noting that the torch symbolises freedom, self-determination and responsible governance.

Through participation in elections, citizens determine who will serve them in governance structures, which are designed to devolve power to the people.

Marking the end of Youth Week, President Samia reiterated the critical role of youth in government plans.

She noted the government’s commitment to implementing strategies that benefit the younger generation, adding, “Your skills, courage and readiness give me confidence that youth participation is not just a solution to unemployment but also a vital force in contributing to the national economy.”

Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, also praised the participation of Zanzibar’s regions in this year’s Uhuru Torch Race, expressing hope that this cooperation and unity would continue to strengthen, fostering development and preserving the union.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa spoke about the talents displayed by the youth during the Youth Week exhibitions, affirming that the nation is home to many creative and capable young people.

He mentioned that youth forums, attended by 97,526 participants, provided a platform to discuss economic and social opportunities across the country.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, informed that citizens had been educated on the importance of the 2024 local government elections and had been encouraged to ensure their details are updated in the permanent voters’ register.

He also emphasised the importance of peaceful participation in the elections.

The national leader of the Uhuru Torch Race 2024, Godfrey Mzava, reported that over the course of the 195-day race, 1,595 development projects worth 11.2tri/- were inspected, inaugurated, or had foundation stones laid across the nation.

The projects span key sectors such as education, health, water, roads, industry, agriculture, governance, investment, environmental conservation and youth economic empowerment.

Out of the projects inspected, only 16 valued at 8.6bn/- were found to have issues in their implementations, representing just 0.08 per cent of all projects.

Mr Mzava added that a report on these projects has been submitted to the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), with the findings set to be presented to President Samia.