MTANDAO WA WAFUGAJI WATUHUMU ZOEZI LA UKAMATAJI MAJANGILI KUJAA UKIUKWAJI HAKI ZA BINADAMU

MTANDAO wa   mashirika ya wafugaji Tanzania (Tanzania Pastoralist Community Forum)umelaani vitendo vya ukatili na ukiukaji wa haki za binadamu ,unaofanywa  katika  operationi tokomeza Majangili inayoendeshwa  na serikali kwa lengo la kutokomeza ujangili dhidi ya wanyama pori

Wakizungumza katika mkutano na waandishi wa habari  wadau hao wamedai kuwa zoezi hilo  limejaa matukio ya kusikitisha  na ya kudhalilisha  wananchi pia limesababaisha mamia ya watu kukimbia makazi yao kwa hofu ya kukamatwa.

Mratibu wa mtandao huo  Joseph Ole Parsambei amewaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa operationi hiyo imewatesa watu katika maeneo mbali mbali nchini na kama serikali haitaaangalia ukiukwaji wa sheria watalazimika kuiomba mahakama ilisitishe.

Alisema wafuagaji kutoka katika Wilaya za  Monduli ,Longido ,Simanjiro  na Wilaya ya Chunya  Mkoani Mbeya wamekuwa wahanga wakubwa wa vitendo hivyo.

Alifafanua kuwa  katika wilaya ya Monduli Kata ya Mswakini, watu wanne wamekamatwa na kupelekwa kusikojulikana  hadi sasa  na wengine kukimbia makazi yao  kwa hofu ya kukamatwa .

Wilaya ya Ngorongoro kijiji cha Ololosokwan watu 13 wamekamatwa na mifugo yao zaidi ya 2000 inashikiliwa Wilaya ya Serengeti ikiwa ni baada ya wiki mbili .

Wilaya ya Londido kijiji cha Oromba watu  nane wamekamatwa  kwa sababu hizo ,kupigwa na kunyanyaswa .

Katika Wilaya ya Simanjiro watu wawili wamekamatwa na kupigwa ,nyumba zao  kuchomwa na moto  na Wilaya ya Chunya Ng’ombe 169 zimetaifishwa  na mfugaji mmoja aliyetajwa jina la Magaka Ninya aliuwawa katika zoezi hilo .

Waziri wa mali asili na utalii  Balozi Khamisi Kagasheki alipoulizwa kuhusu madai hayo alikanusha na kusema kuwa zoezi hilo la kusaka mtandao wa ujangili hapa nchini linaendelea vizuri.

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VILLAGERS RAISES 10MILLION FOR SCHOOL IN ARUMERU

NGABOBO villagers in Arumeru district, Arusha region have raised nearly Tsh 10 million towards the construction of the secondary school in the village.

Officiated by the deputy Minister - Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration, and Local government, Aggrey Mwanri, the villagers have contributed a number of cattle, goats, sheep, and cash.

Mwanri commended the villagers, mostly Maasai, for their spirit of contributing towards their own development agendas.

He said that the community has chosen the right path of educating their children, calling upon to educate their children irrespective of their gender.

“Girls should be given equal opportunity to study just like boys.” Mr Mwanri said.

He also poured a lot of praise upon Africa Amini Alama organization for mobilizing rural community to contribute towards their development endeavors.

The fundraising was organized by the founder of Africa Amini Alama charity, Dr. Christine Wallner after having realized that the Maasai children need secondary school around. 

Dr. Christine appealed to the affluent people to join the vilagers hands by donating towards the building of the secondary school.

Dr. Cornelia Wallner-Frisee, Africa Amini Alama Vice-president expressed her gratitude to the women who took part in large number in the fundraising event.

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SIDO TO BUILT 100M/- PACKAGING FACTORY IN ARUSHA

Small Industries Development Organization in Arusha plans to set up Tsh 100 million packaging materials plant in the near future

Arusha Regional SIDO Manager, Isidore Kiyenze said at the moment he was mobilizing resources for the packaging material factory in order to mitigate the challenge of shortage of the much-needed products.

“We need around Tsh 100 million to be able to buy a modern packaging machine” Mr Kiyenze said during the training of horticultural products processors in northern zone.

Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) complains that limited access to packaging materials in the country and exorbitant taxes charged on imported consumable materials are the challenges facing the small-scale processors.

“The government charges 55 percent taxes in addition to 18 percent VAT for imported consumable materials comprising packaging materials are making the locally processed horticultural products extremely expensive” TAHA Executive Director, Jacqueline Mkindi said.

David Elias, a peanut butter processor in Arusha said that the lack of packaging material is the biggest challenge facing their trade.

“Majority of large buyers are not willing to procurement our products mainly due to poor packaging” Elias told journalists during the training.

He further noted that they couldn’t afford to import packaging materials because they attract high taxes.

Meanwhile; TAHA and SIDO have agreed to conduct a series of training for horticultural processors on new skills of processing their products

The first group of beneficiary of 20 small entrepreneurs in northern zone have completed their course on the new processing technics and products packaging.

“We want to train a pool of trainer of trainers (ToT) in horticultural products processors in order to train others” Mkindi said.

The food and nutrition guru from New Zealand, Dr. Anne Perera said Tanzania’s processors have the potential to capture international markets with their organic horticultural products.

“I have seen the potential, the local processors only need guidance to comply with international regulations to venture into the wider international markets” Dr. Perera said at the end of training she conducted over the weekend in Arusha.

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Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) in lake zone has has been reduced by over 98 percent

Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) in lake zone has has been reduced by over 98 percent, thanks to the efforts by a local organization.

Aerial Glaser Pediatric Aids Health Care Initiative (AGPAHI), effective, accessible, and scalable interventions within existing maternal and child health services, are the factors behind the life saving success story.

Children who were born free from HIVAIDS standing with their Parents.

Figures from different care and treatment clinics (CTC) in Shinyanga andGeita regions, indicate that less than two percent of infants were now infected of HIV virus by their mothers.

This means that 98 percent of the newborn babies are now born by HIV and Aids infected mothers, free from the virus.

Dr. Honoratha Rwezaura, CTC coordinator Bukombe District, Geita region, told the visiting journalists that in 2011/12 100 out of 109 new borns were born without HIV virus, meaning that only nine infants were infected.

"This could not be possible without AGAPHI in partnership with the government. They have  been providing various  facilities such as  laboratory equipments, trainings for health workers, among others,  that are factors behind the success story in PMCTC" Dr. Rwezaura told the scribes.

Statitics from Maganzo dispensary in Kishapu district in Shinyanga region, which also under AGPAHI indicate that the a total of 122 infants were born free from the HIV virus, out of 138 babies who were born by HIV positive mothers.

According to Maganzo Medical officer incharge, Sam Phillip the AGPAHI's support of care and treatment has been a life savier for new borns , who  otherwise could have been infected by their mothers.

AGPAHI Executive Director, Laurean Bwanakunu said that prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission  can be accomplished by effective, accessible, and scalable interventions within existing maternal and child health services.

“There’s no execuse for infants to be infected by their mothers at the moment where we have sufficient life prologing drugs for the people living with HIV and AIDS” Mr Bwanakunu explained.

It is understood the transmission of HIV from mothers to their infants contributes substantially to global morbidity and mortality for children under-5 years of age.

Approximately 1000 HIV-infected infants are born every day, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, amounting to nearly 370,000 new pediatric infections annually UNAIDS.

Without treatment, over half of these children will die before the age of two.

AGPAHI is a local organization affiliated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (AGPAF) focusing on pediatric AIDS and health care. The NGO  works with he ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders to eliminate Pediatric AIDS.

The Organization supports efforts to increase access to and enrollment  in a comprehensive  package of sustainable , high quality and cost effective  care and treatment  services for HIV infected  families in the areas including Family Planning and PMCTC.

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HOSPITALI YA KOLANDOTO SHINYANGA YAKOSA MASHINE YA CD4

Hospitali ya Misheni ya Kolandoto katika Wilaya Shinyanga mjini  inakabiliwa na changamoto kubwa ya kuwahudumia watu waisho  na virusi vya ukimwi kufuatia kukosekana kwa mashine ya kuhesabu kinga za mwili (CD4) katika hospitali hiyo.

Mashine hiyo inaelezwa na wataalamu  wa tiba kujua kinga za mwili za mwathirika wa virusi vya ukimwi ili kujua iwapo anastahili kuanzishiwa dawa za kupunguza makali ya ugonjwa wa ukimwi ARV.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari waliotembelea hospitali hiyo juzi, Kaimu Mganga Mkuu  Dr.Phares Bwire alieleza kuwa ukosefu  wa mashine hiyo umekuwa ukisababaisha kuharibika kwa sampuli za damu ambazo zinalazimika kuplekwa  hospitali ya Mkoa wa Shinyanga kwa vipimo zaidi.

Alisema hospitali hiyo ilipata msaada wa mashine mbili za kupima damu (Screen Master na Full Blood Picture) kutoka Shirika la Afya linalojishughulisha na vita dhidi ya Ukimwi na Utoaji wa Huduma za Kujikinga, Matunzo na Tiba kwa wanaoishi na Virusi Vya Ukimwi (AGPAHI).

“Tunakabiliwa na changamoto katika utoaji wa huduma kwa  Waviu naomba wadau wengine wajitokeze kutusaidia kama walivyofanya  shirika la afya linalojishughilisha na mapambano ya ukimwi ,tiba na matunzo kwa  wagonjwa wa ukimwi AGPAHI… ukosefu wa mashine hii muhimu  ya kuhesabu CD4 unasababisha kuharibika kwa baadhi ya sampuli za damu.

Alisema kuwa wakati mwingine majibu ya CD4  yanachelewa kufika ambapo wanalazimika kusubiri kwa siku zisizopungua 14 hadi mwezi mmoja jambo linalowafanya wagonjwa kukata tamaa na wengine kukimbia matibabu

Kwa mujibu wa mganga huyo huduma za kupima na kutoa  dawa za ARV kwa   waathirika wa VVU zilianzishwa hospitalini hapo mwaka 2007  kwa ushirikiano na shirika la AGPAHI.

Mganga huyo alisema mbali na msaada wa mashine hizo, AGPAHI imewezesha mafunzo kwa watoa huduma wa kliniki za waathirika wa VVU, watoa hduma majumbani, vitendanishi, ukarabati wa majengo na dawa za ARV.

“Tangu tumeanza na shirika hili mpaka sasa ni zaidi ya sh milioni 200 za AGPAHI zimetumika kwenye shughuli mbalimbali hospitalini hapa hivyo tunaomba na mashirika mengine wajitokeze kutusaidia maana wagonjwa ni wengi,” alisema Dk. Phares.

Awali alibainisha kwamba hadi sasa waathirika zaidi ya 831 wanahudumiwa hospitalini hapo kwa dawa na ushauri huku akibainisha kwamba kati ya waathirika hao 70 ni watoto chini ya miaka 14 ambapo waathirika 114 wanatumia dawa za ARV wakati watoto wanaopewa dawa hizo ni 39.

Mwisho…

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EU, MPF TO EMPOWER MAASAI ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Nearly 35,000 Maasai in Monduli district, Arusha region will receive training on intellectual property rights in order to start protecting their traditional knowledge against exploitation.

Mounduli Disrtict Commisssioner  Jowika Kasunga (right side)Launching a special  project aimed at empowering the Maasai  communities  on  intelectual Properties  right

Maasai is one of the few remaining African ethnic group, rich in cultural creativity but due to ignorance, the community has never benefited from this cultural wealth.

European Union (EU) in partnership with Maasai Pastoralists Foundation (MPF) has embarked on a two years project to empower the Maasai community to unlock the potential of their cultural creativity.

The project officially launched last week at Esilalei Village in Monduli district, will cost over 601 million/- and would cover all 22 villages in the district, MPF officials said.

“Our objective is to empower Maasai community through traditional knowledge, cultural creativity and social investment,” MPF Director Emmanuel Ole Kokan said during the launching of the project.

According to Mr Kokan, they expect to be able to create investment that will provide cultural, social-economic opportunities and income diversity for Maasai sustainable livelihoods.

He further said that to start with the project would raise awareness on intellectual property rights to the Maasai community.

 “The project would also enable the Maasai community to collect all their cultural arts and historical information, in the process so that they can protect them in future” MPF boss explained.

EU head of delegation to Tanzania, Mr Filiberto Sebregondi said that the cultural creativity is a wealth if well developed could transform the lives of many in Tanzania.

According to the envoy the cultural creativity is also one of the most important sectors for entrepreneurship and creation of new companies.

Mr Sebregondi noted that in Tanzania, creative and cultural industries would only flourish if the right drivers are in place and are enabled to reach out to wider markets.

Monduli District commissioner, Jowika Kassunga commended the MPF for coming up with the right project at the right time, vowing to provide all necessary support for the project to be successful.

“I know some few people have been benefiting from the Maasai cultural creativity, but with the introduction of this project, I believe the Maasai people would start reaping from their own traditional innovation” Mr Kasunga said during the official opening of the project.

MPF board chairperson Lois Francis Pulei, said the project would involve the exchange programme to neighboring Kenya in order for Tanzanian Maasai to learn how they can turn their cultural creativity into a serious business.

“I’m a Tanzanian Maasai who married to A Kenyan husband, I want to make sure that my fellow benefit from your Kenyan counterpart who have gone far in terms of cultural creativity business” Ms Pulei explained.

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United States African Development Foundation Donates grant amounting to 235million to Home Veg Tanzania.

A local medium company has acquired a grant amounting to 235million Tanzanian  Shillings  from the United States African Development Foundation (USADF).

The Arusha based Home Veg Tanzania Ltd, is the beneficiary of the USADF grant which would be directed into construction of the horticultural produces pack house, facilitate a study on local horticultural market and capacity building for the firm’s administration.

Officials said that 160million out of the total sum, would be spent in building stockroom complete with grading, packing, and cold storage facilities. 

The USADF President and CEO, Ms Shari Berenbach, laid the foundation stone for the construction of storage at Kikwe village in Arumeru, at the weekend.

“We are impressed by the Home veg’s business strategy, I can see a win, win situation for us, entrepreneurs and farmers ” Ms Berenbach explained shortly after having laid a foundation stone.

The Home Veg Tanzania Ltd, Managing Director, Mussa Mvungi said that his company has been building capacity for small holder farmers to be able to produce at the global good agricultural practices (Global-Gap) standards.

Yet another core business, Mr Mvungi said is to export vegetable to the European market.

According to him, the company, which started to deal with 150 farmers in 2009, is currently in contract with about 2,000 farmers who are supplying the firm suuficient vegetable for export. 

“Small holders farmers are our core business because we depend on them to supply the horticultural produces for our European market,” he explained.

Jeremia Thomas, one of Home Veg beneficiary, said that the company has been training them on how to grow the horticultural crops for export, giving them interests free loans and purchasing their crops after harvesting.

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PASTORALISTS WANT NEW LIVESTOCK POLICY FRAME WORK

Pastoralist’s community forum  have appealed to the government to review the current pastoralist policy frame work to protect and improve the livelihoods of indigenous pastoralist in the country. 

They made the call in a pastoralist policy dialogue workshop which is intended to develop a document that will help to address matters affecting the cattle herders across the country

Speaking at the opening of the dialogue ,Joseph Parsambei , a coordinator from Tanzania  community Pastoralist Forum said  the policy  have only focused on production which is just a  single part of pastoralism.

“We have witnessed a lot of predicaments and uncertainties facing traditional livestock keepers in many parts of our Nation because the current policy did not include natural resources management and cultural issues which would have safe guarded pastoralist interests at best “Said Parsambei.

He said traditional pastoralists for many years lacked legal recognition a situation which have lead them into victimization and vulnerable.

He noted that the forum will conduct various dialogues involving the government, the ministry of livestock and other stake holders in to come with a policy that will so as to bring organs in the ministry of livestock and fisheries

Commenting on the matter ,dean of law faculty in  Tumaini Makumira university  based in Arusha ,Elifuraha Laltaika appealed to to domesticate the Africa union pastoralists policy frame work which  was signed by the president of  the United Republic of Tanzania Jakaya Kikiwete  ten years ago.

He said that   the AU pastoralist  policy framework is based on protecting and improving the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoralist communities and ensure the consistency of   privileges in the political, social and economic development of  pastoral communities .

" The Structure of the African  states union  pastoralist policy frame work  is very good and if  domesticated  it will give pastoralists  legal recognition  and  avoid victimization “said Laltaika

In addition  the don said  there is hope at the end of the tunnel after the draft of the new constitution recently availed to Masses   recognized  pastoralists an environment which will  give them a chance to enjoy their rights and  other entitlements as country’s men.

The training was funded by Irish  Aid  through Irish people government Embassy in Tanzania in partnership with   care international based in US. 

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A TOUR FIRM INVEST $49,000 IN POLICE STATION MINJINGU

MINJINGU, villagers have a reason to jubilate, thanks to a tour company for building a modern police station worth $49,000, equivalent to 80m/-.

Tanzanian tour firm -- Kibo Guides (T) Ltd—is the company behind the police station, touted as the most contemporary ever in the entire Manyara region.

The firm’s management says that they have decided to fund the whole project in the spirit of sharing whatever small profits they get, with the community, where they operate.

Manyara Regional Police Commander, Akili Mpwapwa, commended the company for its patriotism attitude, saying the police station would cater for about 10,000 residents of Nkaiti ward in Babati rural district.

“This is a patriotism spirit and we urge other companies to borrow a leaf in complementing the government efforts,” Mr Mpwapwa said over the weekend during the project handing over ceremony.  

For his part, the Kibo Guides Managing Director who is also the Chairman of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Mr Willy Chambullo said he constructed the police station not with intention to detain people, but to secure the community.

“I have built this police station single handedly, not because I have a lot of money, but I have sacrificed with my family because I know change is brought by an individual with a willing heart,” Chambullo said.

Manyara Region Commissioner, Mr. Erasto Mbwillo implored other investors to support the community’s development where they do business.

“It’s very unfortunate that some investors are not walking the talk, they promise to do something for the community, but they do not fulfill. This is against the investment policy which requires investors to share profits with the community” Mbwillo explained.

The Executive officer of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Sirili Akko said that the police station was one of the supports provided by the tour operators.

More recently, TATO members have been in fore front in various social corporate activities, specifically during, and after the deadly bomb attacks in Arusha, where they had successfully managed to raise more than 70 millions collectively for the victims and hospitals supplies.

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WAFUGAJI WATAKA SERA MPYA YA MIFUGO

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WAFUGAJI WATAKA VIONGOZI WA SERIKALI ZA VIJIJI KUFUNDISHWA SHERIA ZA ARDHI

WAFUGAJI Mkoani Arusha wametaka serikali na wadau wa maendeleo  kuelimisha viongozi wa serikali za vijiji juu ya sheria ya ardhi na matumizi bora ya ardhi.

Wanadai kuwa ufahamu wa sheria hasa ya ardhi ya vijiji ya mwaka 1999  itasaidia  kuondoa migogoro ya ardhi kati ya wafugaji ,wakulima na wawekezaji.

Wafugaji  hao walisema  ufahamu mdogo wa   viongozi wa serikali za vijiji  juu ya sheria ya ardhi  umesababisha kushindwa kutengeneza matumizi bora ya ardhi na kusababisha kuwepo kwa mgogoro mingi katika jamii.

Mwenyekiti wa kijiji cha Losirwa Wilayani Monduli  George Lukas alisema kuwa vijiji vingi havijatenga maeneo kulingana na makundi mbalimbali zikiwemo sehemu za malisho na za kilimo.

 “Ni lazima viongozi wa serikali za vijiji waelimishwe kutenga maeneo kulingana na na mahitaji yaliyopo na kuhakikisha kuwa wanasimamia sheria ya ardhi”alisema Lukas.

Wafugaji hao walitoa msimamo huo katika mafunzo sheria ya ardhi ya mwaka 1999 yaliyoendeshwa na  Shirika la MPDO Lareto kwa ufadhili wa The Fondation for civil  Society na kufanyika katika vijiji tisa vya wilaya hiyo.

Akizungumzia mafunzo hayo diwani wa viti maalumu kutoka kata ya Selela Napir Engidong alisema kuwa viongozi wa vijiji wameweza kufahamu umuhimu wa kutunza ardhi kwa kupanda miti na kuacha ukataji miti hovyo.

“Upo umuhimu mkubwa wa kushirikisha jamii katika kufanya maamuzi yanayohusu matumizi ya ardhi, Kama wananchi watashirikishwa, migogoro mingi iliyopo vijiji itapungua”alisema  Nengidong.

Naye Mkurugenzi wa MPDO Baraka Laizer alisema kuwa waliendesha mafunzo hayo ili kuondoa migogoro ambayo imekuwa ikisababaisha kukosekana kwa amani katika vijiji.

“Tumeshuhudia watu wakipoteza maisha ,mali kuharibiwa kutokana na migogoro ya ardhi ,tumegundua kuwa njia pekee ya kuleta suluhu ni kwa viongozi na wadau mbalimbali katika vijiji kuelimishwa kuhusu sheria ardhi ya vijiji”alisema Baraka.

Kwa upande wake mwezeshaji wa mafunzo hayo Amani Ole Sekino alisema kuwa viongozi wa serikali za vijiji wameeelimshwa kuhusu sheria ya ardhi pamoja na utatuzi wa migogoro kwa kuzingatia sheria.

Alisema kuwa washiriki walifundishwa juu ya umilikaji wa ardhi ,umuhimu wa kuanisha mipaka na kupata hati miliki ya ardhi ili kuilinda ardhi.

MWISHO……

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WAWILI WAFA MLIPUKO WA BOMU ARUSHA

WATU wawili  wameripotiwa kupoteza maisha na

wengine zaidi ya hamsini kujeruhiwa  katika tukio la mlipuko wa kitu kinachodhaniwa kuwa bomu la kutengenezwa kwa mkono katika mkutano  wa chama cha demokrasia na maendeleo (CHADEMA)wa kuhitimisha kampeni za uchaguzi mdogo wa kata nne za jiji la Arusha  unaofanyika leo.

Tukio hilo limetokea  majira ya saa 12 kasoro katika kata ya  kaloleni kwenye uwanja wa michezo wa Soweto Jijini hapa

Hata hivyo taarifa za hivyo hivyo havijathibitishwa na vyombo vya usalama Mkoani Arusha hadi kufiklia alfajiri ya leo na kutokana na hali ya tharuki iliyokumba Jijij la Arusha jana jioni baada ya tukio hilo kutokea katika mkutano huo am,bao ulihutubiwa na mwenyekiti  wa Chadema Taifa  Freeman Mbowe.

Kwa mujibu wa mashuhuda wa tukio hilo inaelezwa kuwa mlipuko ulitokea karibu na gari la matangazo wakati makada wa cha,ma hicho wakikusanya sadaka zilizodaiwa kuwa zingesaidia mawakala wa chama hicho katika zoezi la kulinda masilahi ya chama hicho katika uchaguzi huo.

Waandishi wa habari walishuhudia idadi kubwa ya majeruhi wakitibiwa katika hospitali za Seliani na Mount Meru wengi wakiwa na majeraha miguuni ,usoni na mikononi.

Kamanda wa Jeshi la polisi           Mkoani Arusha Liberatus Sabas alithibitisha kutokea kwa tukio hilo na kukataa kusema lolote na kuahidi kutoa taarifa kamili za tukio hilo leo mchana.

Tukio hili ni la pili kutokea katika kipindi kisichozidi miezi miwili baada ya shambulizi la aina hiyo kufanyika katika kanisa la Katoliki parokia Olasiti nje kidogo ya Jijiji la Arusha na kusababisha vifo kadhaa namajeruhi.

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