Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, June 03, 2024.

Search for missing two-year-old albino girl intensifies; three detained

The police in Kagera region are holding three people in connection with the disappearance of a two-year-old albino girl, Asimwe Novath, who was abducted on May 30, 2024, at the Mbale Hamlet ,Bulamula Vilage in Muleba district.

According to the mother of the child, Judith Richard the people who abducted Asimwe disguised themselves as people who needed urgent care after a snake bite. When she opened her door to assist, one of the two men choked her and they quickly picked up the child.

Speaking to The Chanzo, the acting regional police commander, Yusuph Daniel, said that the police are doing everything within their power to ensure the child is found.

“Our officers are closely following up on this matter. We call upon good citizens to promptly provide us with information whenever they hear anything,” said Daniel.

The father of the child is also one of the three people who were arrested as police continue with the investigation. The Muleba District Commissioner in Kagera region, Dr. Abel Nyamahanga, has directed village officials to conduct a census aimed at identifying households with albino individuals in the district, to facilitate their identification and enhance their security and protection.

Speaking, on Monday, June 3, 2024, during his visit to the family, Dr. Nyamahanga said he does not expect to hear of any more incidents of albino individuals being abducted or disappearing in the district.

“The pain of giving birth to an albino child is no different from that of giving birth to any other child. They are all children, so mothers should recognize that there is no difference. As the government, we declare that we will not rest until the child is found, at any cost,” said Dr. Nyamahanga.

The attacks against people with albinism in Tanzania are associated with witchcraft beliefs. While since 2016 there have been no incidents of killing Albinos, several reports have surfaced of serious harm to albinos, in most cases attackers hack parts of their bodies.

In April 2024, The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities accused Tanzania on Wednesday of failure to condemn and investigate attacks against people with albinism, which it fears may constitute “serious violations” of the country’s obligation to protect people with disabilities.

The committee expressed “regret” for Tanzania’s unwillingness to follow up on three petitions filed to the committee concerning the mutilation of people with albinism and the lack of accountability for such abuses.

Tanzania to introduce new policy to nurture startups

The government has initiated the process of drafting policies for startups to create a favorable environment for the growth of innovations and to nurture them into large companies.

This was revealed yesterday, Monday, June 3, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, by the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, during his visit to the Global Center for Creative Economy Incubation (GCCEI) to observe the activities of the center.

Nape, who is one of the ministers accompanying President Samia Suluhu Hassan on her visit to South Korea, visited the center alongside several Tanzanian innovators.

Speaking about the visit, Nape said the government will build an Innovation Incubation Center in Dodoma region, and they have already received $600,000 from the South Korean government for a feasibility study, with construction set to begin in July 2024.

Nape mentioned that the biggest challenge currently is the lack of policies, laws, and regulations to support and nurture innovations from startups, despite significant progress in that area.

“We are now in the process of drafting a startup policy that will pave the way for the creation of laws and regulations governing this area,” said Nape.

He emphasized that the government is committed to investing in human resources, especially the youth, as research shows that Africa will have the highest number of young people compared to other continents.

The CEO of the Startup Association, Zahoro Muhaji, said they have learned a lot from South Korea, including how the government supports the development of their innovations.

Tanzania to build an aerospace institute

President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has expressed her intention to establish an aerospace institute in Tanzania in collaboration with Korea Aerospace University. This initiative aims to enhance productivity in the aviation sector in the country.

She made these remarks today during an event where she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Aerospace Science by Korea Aerospace University.

President Samia has revealed that Tanzania’s aviation has achieved significant growth between  2021 and 2023, with passenger numbers increasing by approximately 28% each year. Additionally, the number of international flights has risen from 26 to 33. Domestic travelers have increased by 26.5% post-Covid-19, from 3 million passengers to 3.8 million in 2023.

Furthermore, she noted that strategic investments have been made to revive Air Tanzania Limited (ATCL) this includes the acquisition of 14 passenger aircraft and one cargo plane as well as developing infrastructure, including radar systems, and renovating and expanding airports in the country.

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