Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has called on Tanzanians to uphold and protect the Union, peace, stability and national unity, stressing that these values remain the foundation of the country’s development.
Launching the 2026 National Uhuru Torch Race at Gombani Stadium in Chake Chake, South Pemba Region yesterday, where thousands attended the event, Dr Mwinyi said both the Union and Zanzibar governments, religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media and citizens share a collective responsibility to safeguard human dignity and uphold the rule of law in building a nation grounded in justice, equality, unity and social cohesion.
The president described the Uhuru Torch as a vital symbol for promoting justice, equality, unity and accountability in nation-building, while also serving as a tool to expose and combat the key enemies of development — poverty, ignorance and disease. He noted that this vision reflects the aspirations of Tanzania’s founding leaders — Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume.
Dr Mwinyi explained that since 1964, the Uhuru Torch has been used as an instrument to promote equality, justice, unity and accountability, while illuminating the path towards eliminating poverty, ignorance and disease.
He traced its philosophy to remarks made by Mwalimu Nyerere in 1959 at the United Nations Trusteeship Council, where he expressed Tanganyika’s determination to attain freedom and build a nation founded on justice, equality and unity.
The president noted that in 1961, Nyerere fulfilled that vision when the Uhuru Torch was lit and placed atop Mount Kilimanjaro alongside the Tanganyika flag, symbolising independence and the beginning of a journey toward building a strong, united and hopeful nation.
He added that the vision was reinforced by Zanzibar’s founding leader, the late Karume, who emphasised public ownership of key economic sectors, expansion of social services and active citizen participation in development.
Dr Mwinyi emphasised that peace, unity, stability and social cohesion are essential pillars of sustainable development, noting that a stable country enables leaders to design and effectively implement long-term development policies.
He warned that discrimination in any form can lead to mistrust and divisions along ethnic, religious, political or geographical lines, ultimately threatening national unity.
“I urge Tanzanians to reject all forms of discrimination. This is the right time to demonstrate patriotism, protect national resources and build a generation that prioritises national interests,” he said.
He also called on political parties and their leaders to put national interests first and ensure that peace is preserved at all times.
Citizens, he added, should support government efforts to fight corruption and expose those involved in bribery.
On HIV/AIDS, Dr Mwinyi said both the Union and Zanzibar governments continue to intensify efforts to combat the disease by ensuring free access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. He noted that HIV-related deaths declined to 24,000 in 2024.
Addressing drug abuse, he said the two governments have strengthened surveillance at borders, ports and airports, while expanding awareness campaigns, particularly among youths.
By December 2025, a total of 18,970 drug users had received treatment at 16 rehabilitation centres, while more than 19,000 others were supported in 77 recovery homes.
Additionally, 728 individuals received treatment at the Kidimni Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Unguja.
On malaria, Dr Mwinyi cited 2025 data showing that 6.2 per cent of 2.8 million outpatient cases were confirmed as malaria.
Of 199,347 hospital admissions, 11 per cent were malaria-related, mostly affecting children under five and pregnant women.
Despite the persistence of the disease, he said notable progress has been made, with malaria prevalence declining from 8.1 per cent in 2022 to 5.5 per cent in 2025.
The government has implemented several interventions, including distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, control of breeding sites, and strengthening diagnostic and treatment services.
A total of 10bn/- has been allocated to procure over 833,000 litres of biological larvicides distributed across 184 councils, while availability of testing kits and medicines in health facilities has exceeded 90 per cent.
Dr Mwinyi also noted that the Uhuru Torch continues to promote peace, unity and solidarity under the 2026 theme: “Tanzania is Ours All, Let Us Unite for Development.”
He said the message calls on citizens to preserve the peace and unity nurtured by the nation’s founders and sustained by successive leadership over the past 65 years.
Earlier, Dr Mwinyi commended organisers for the successful preparations of the national event, noting that the large turnout reflected unity and the importance of the Uhuru Torch in mobilising development and strengthening the Union.
Speaking at the event, Zanzibar Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Mwinyi for their leadership, which he said has delivered tangible development.
Minister of State in the President’s Office (Youth Development), Dr Joel Nanauka said the Uhuru Torch will traverse all 31 regions and 198 local government authorities, promoting peace, unity, accountability and public participation in development activities.
