Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS the October 29 General Election draws near, CCM presidential candidate Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has concluded her campaign tour of the Lake Zone with a strong pledge to consolidate national transformation through inclusive industrialisation, social progress and unity.
From Mwanza to Kagera, her central message remained consistent: Development must be rooted in “Kazi na Utu”, (Work and Humanity), a philosophy she has embraced as both a moral compass and a blueprint for national continuity.
Over the past two weeks, Dr Samia toured Mwanza, Simiyu, Mara, Geita and Kagera, with each region highlighting key pillars of her development agenda, agriculture, mining, energy, industry and social welfare.
Her campaign rallies drew massive crowds, underlining both CCM’s organisational strength and a clear public appetite for a policy-driven campaign. At every stop, she showcased government performance and presented a forward-looking manifesto grounded in stability and inclusion.
In the Lake Zone, where farming and fishing are the lifeblood of most households, Dr Samia unveiled a comprehensive plan to boost productivity and rural incomes.
In Simiyu, she announced a national programme to establish 738 irrigation schemes aimed at increasing agricultural growth to 10 per cent by 2030.
In Mara and Kagera, she committed to scaling up coffee, banana and livestock projects under the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, which combines youth employment with value addition.
“In the past five years, we’ve established large coffee and banana farms, including a 300- acre coffee plantation at Makongora, where 300 young people are already working,” she noted, pledging to expand seedling production, offer subsidised fertiliser and supply modern tractors to advance rural mechanisation.
On fisheries, she promised to set up fishprocessing plants, expand cage-fish farming on Lake Victoria and provide affordable loans for modern boats, transforming aquaculture into a lucrative industry for youth.
In Geita, Tanzania’s mineral-rich heartland, Dr Samia positioned the extractive sector as a key driver of both economic growth and social empowerment.
She revealed plans to build a modern mineral testing laboratory and increase capital support to small-scale miners to help them transition into medium-sized enterprises.
“Mining will remain a pillar of inclusive growth,” she said, tying it to broader industrialisation plans that include sunflower oil, fruit-processing and dairy plants in Nyalwanzaga, Busanda and Igate.
To power these industries, she highlighted strategic hydroelectric projects in Kagera-Rusumo, Ngara, Namurongo and Kikagati, delivering a combined 221.8 megawatts, alongside the near-complete Ilemela Substation, now 85 per cent done.
“We want our industries, schools and hospitals to operate year-round without power interruptions,” she told supporters in Geita.
Dr Samia placed equal emphasis on human development. In Kagera, she pledged to operationalise Universal Health Insurance and hire 5,000 health professionals within her first 100 days in office.
She cited the expanded regional referral hospital, where the number of annual patients has surged from 128,000 in 2021 to 478,000 in 2025, reflecting improved local care and reduced reliance on distant facilities like Bugando or Muhimbili.
On education, she highlighted the construction of five VETA colleges, three technical secondary schools and the new University of Dar es Salaam campus in Bukoba, now 78 per cent complete.
She reaffirmed the continuation of free education, including expanded dormitories and learning facilities for students from island and remote communities.
Addressing inclusivity, Dr Samia vowed that public buildings, schools and sports facilities will be designed to accommodate people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to training and employment opportunities.
“Every Tanzanian must feel seen in the national journey,” she said.
In Kagera, she emphasised the importance of connectivity to unlock regional growth. Key infrastructure pledges included completing the Lusahunga – Rusumo road, tarmacking the Kajai–Buyango section and upgrading roads in Mtukula Town.
She also pointed to the refurbished Bukoba Port, now equipped with three modern jetties, ready to serve vessels such as MV Mwanza. A new international airport at Kyabajwa is also planned, capable of handling aircraft with 180– 220 passengers.
“These projects will transform Kagera into a gateway for trade across the Lake Zone and beyond,” she declared.
Flood-control measures along the Kanoni River and expansion of the Kemondo Water Project were also highlighted as key to building regional resilience.
Dr Bashiru Ali, former CCM Secretary General and part of Dr Samia’s entourage, praised her leadership for delivering real results.
“Our candidate is a doer, not just a speaker. Projects like the Busisi Bridge, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Musoma Port are proof of how she turns policy into action,” he said.
Local CCM leaders, including Muleba South’s Dr Oscar Kikoyo and Bukoba Rural’s Jason Rweikiza, echoed similar confidence, citing increased electricity coverage, new health centres and expanded education access.
Throughout her tour, Dr Samia balanced policy with calls for peace and national unity. She urged citizens to avoid divisive politics as the election nears.
“We may differ in ideas, but we all share one flag,” she reminded supporters at Kaitaba grounds. “Let’s protect our peace and stability.”
Political analysts note that Dr Samia’s Lake Zone campaign has strengthened CCM’s traditional support base while presenting the election as a choice between continuity and disruption.
Her message, connecting production, infrastructure and human dignity, has added coherence and discipline to the campaign, resonating across party lines.
As she heads to the Southwestern Zone for the next leg of her campaign, Dr Samia leaves the Lake Zone with a message of measured ambition and renewed confidence.
“We move forward together, step by step,” she said in Bukoba, summing up her vision for a second term.
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