Africa-Press – Tanzania. CCM presidential candidate, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has outlined plans to boost Kagera Region’s economy by scaling up coffee farming, expanding fish processing and improving rural infrastructure.
Addressing a campaign rally at Zimbihile Grounds in Muleba District, Dr Samia said that if elected in the General Election later this month, her government will enhance clean-water supply, expand electricity access and modernise transport networks to unlock the region’s full production potential.
She pledged to increase coffee seedling multiplication, provide modern tractors and sustain input subsidies to improve productivity and raise household incomes.
Dr Samia also vowed to promote value addition in the fishing and livestock sectors by establishing processing facilities within new industrial clusters across the Lake Zone.
“We intend to equip more fishers with modern boats through affordable loans and promote cage-fish farming under the Building Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, so that young people see aquaculture as a profitable enterprise,” she said.
Dr Samia said the government has already laid a strong base for inclusive growth through flagship projects in agriculture and aquaculture.
“In the past five years we established major coffee and banana farms, including a 300- acre coffee plantation at Makongora under the BBT programme, where 300 youth are already engaged in production,” she said.
As part of efforts to improve public services, she said two boats for patient transfer will be supplied to Goziba and Bumbire wards, while three patrol boats will enhance security on Lake Victoria. Two new piers will also be built at Kitua and Mrumo villages to support mobility and local trade.
Turning to water supply, Dr Samia said a 39.3bn/- project to draw clean water from Lake Victoria has been designed to serve Muleba and neighbouring districts.
“For many years we have not fully utilised Lake Victoria, but now we are tapping its potential to provide safe and clean water to communities across nearby regions,” she said.
She added that the 4bn/- Masumbwe water project, which is 68 per cent complete, will further raise coverage levels beyond the current 86 per cent.
On energy, Dr Samia said the government will complete the Ilemela power substation, now 85 per cent done, to ensure stable supply for industries and households. Remaining villages and islands will be connected to the national grid to end frequent outages.
Infrastructure, she added, will remain a top priority. Her government will fix the Buhimba gully that disrupts travel between Upper and Lower Muleba and strengthen TARURA to maintain rural roads throughout the year.
Dr Samia also pledged to construct foodstorage warehouses and modern markets to support farmers and traders, alongside continued investment in education and health services.
“Our vision is to make sure every young Tanzanian learns, works and contributes to building our nation,” she said.
Muleba South parliamentary candidate Dr Oscar Kikoyo commended President Samia’s leadership for transforming social services in the district, citing the construction of five health centres up from two the allocation of funds for a new district hospital and 16 new secondary schools that have reduced walking distances for students.
He appealed for more support to expand water access during dry seasons and connect five fishing islands to the national grid to stabilise electricity supply.
Former CCM Secretary-General, Dr Bashiru Ali commended Dr Samia’s administration for implementing the economic proposals adopted in 2021.
“Our candidate is not one of words but of action. She implements what she promises,” he said, citing the Busisi Bridge, SGR and Musoma Port as key projects that will turn Kagera into a regional trade and production hub. “This region is now open for growth. Once these projects are complete, Kagera’s economy will soar,” Dr Bashiru said.
Dr Samia also conducted rallies in Kayanga in Karagwe District and Kyaka in Missenyi District, where she outlined similar priorities for advancing agriculture, industry and water supply across the Kagera Region.
As she continues her campaign in Kagera Region, Dr Samia is expected to outline additional plans in Bukoba to position the regional capital as the zone’s trade and logistics hub, consolidating gains made in Muleba and other districts.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
