Africa-Press – Tanzania. MORE than 1,067 development projects worth 1.2tri/- were launched during the 2021 Uhuru Torch race, which climaxed yesterday in Chato District, Geita Region. Health, water, education, environment, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, road infrastructure, good governance, and information and communication technology (ICT) are among the projects.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Employment, Youth and the Disabled, Jenista Mhagama informed the audience that the Uhuru torch race began on May 17th this year and has covered 21480.16 kilometres, passing through 31 regions and 150 districts.
“Various development projects were inspected and foundation stones were laid during the race, and leaders of the Uhuru torch encouraged people to safeguard national unity, solidarity, peace and stability in our country, as well as condemned acts of corruption and embezzlement of public property,” she stated.
“Every year, the torch is lit and relayed all over the country with a special message for the people,” she continued, “and this year’s message was ‘Tehama ni Msingi wa Taifa Endelevu; Itumike kwa Usahihi (Information and Communications Technology is the Foundation of a Sustainable Nation; It Should Be Used Appropriately).” This year’s Uhuru Torch Race was special, according to her, because the country is celebrating 60 years of independence.
The completion of the Uhuru torch race coincides with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s death anniversary and National Youth Week.
“Today marks 22 years since the death of Mwalimu Nyerere, the father of this nation, who dedicated his life to the liberation of our country and other African countries,” she said.
Ms Mhagama stated that Mwalimu Nyerere established a solid foundation of unity, peace, love, mutual respect and dignity among Tanzanians, which is being replicated under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership. “We shall remember and appreciate his ideology and vision in action as Tanzania,” she said.
During the race, 33,126 people came forward to be tested for HIV/AIDS, with 272 of them, or 0.82 per cent of those who turned up, being diagnosed with the disease and being registered for services at various facilities.
In terms of malaria, a total of 10,039 Tanzanians were tested, with 410, or 0.8 per cent of those who tested positive for the disease receiving proper treatment and 2,451 litres of blood were collected. She said that since the Covid-19 vaccination campaign began on July 28th, 2,522 people have been vaccinated through the torch race in Morogoro (82), Coast (33), Dar es Salaam (87), Lindi (61), Mtwara (166), Ruvuma (259) Njombe (232), Mbeya (110), Songwe (74), Rukwa (32), Katavi (83), Kigoma (456) and Kagera (877).
“The Uhuru torch has inspected 196 projects that were launched by the torch in 2019 where it was found 195 projects equivalent to 99 per cent of the projects inspected provide adequate services to Tanzanians, only one project was not sustainable,” she explained.
Njombe Region will host the kick-off of the 2022 Uhuru Torch race, which will conclude in the Kagera Region.
