Residents pin hopes as CUF unveils revenue blueprint

MWANZA: RESIDENTS who recently gathered at the Civil United Front (CUF) campaign launch rally in Mwanza voiced high expectations that the party’s promises, particularly on social services and governance reforms, will address longstanding challenges in their daily lives.

Ms Ester Kwaya, a resident of Kirumba Street, expressed hope for strict implementation of health policies to guarantee free services for vulnerable groups, including children under five, expectant mothers, elders and persons with disabilities.

“These groups are still charged in some hospitals or remain unattended. People with disabilities also need to benefit because their limited mobility reduces their ability to earn money for medical bills,” she said.

Mr Lemigius Chacha, from Buswelu Ward, called for permanent solutions to land conflicts, which he blamed on dishonest land officers and double allocations.

“Land conflicts hinder development. Many people lose land because they cannot afford advocates in court,” he lamented.

For Buzuruga resident Mr Elisha Maduhu, the CUF’s proposed single tax system is most welcome. He said the policy would help formalise small traders (machingas) and allow them to contribute to the economy without harassment.

“This will free machingas from harassment and allow them to grow their businesses while contributing to national revenue,” he noted.

Gombo unveils plan to raise revenue

Against this backdrop of citizens’ expectations, CUF presidential candidate Mr Gombo Samandito unveiled a far-reaching strategy to increase government revenue and redirect national wealth into critical sectors.

Speaking at the rally, Mr Samandito emphasised that his long public service career had given him insight into Tanzania’s finances.

“Tanzania is not poor. We are blessed with abundant resources and stable revenues, but what prevents us from moving forward is corruption, embezzlement and selfishness among some leaders. I know where the money is and once given the mandate, I will ensure it is channelled to benefit all Tanzanians,” he said.

Mining reforms at the centre of fiscal growth

Mr Samandito described the mining sector as one of the strongest levers for raising revenue. He pledged to reform laws so the government could directly invest in mineral extraction rather than depending largely on royalties and taxes from foreign companies.

“The majority of profits in this sector are currently taken by investors. My government will reform laws so that a larger share goes directly to government coffers, and ultimately to the people,” he said.

ALSO READ: ADA-TADEA vows to restore communal farms

He also promised legal changes requiring mining licence applicants to present land title deeds for the areas they wish to operate in, reducing conflicts between investors and locals. At the same time, he pledged to modernise artisanal mining by providing smallscale miners with technology and equipment to increase their productivity.

Tax reforms for fairness and compliance

Another key reform will be overhauling the tax system. CUF proposes a single annual tax to replace multiple levies that complicate compliance for small businesses.

“This system will make taxation fair, predictable and easier to comply with. It will also reduce harassment of small-scale traders and widen the tax base,” Mr Samandito said.

Tax assessment, he explained, would be jointly conducted by tax officials and taxpayers based on business capital and profit, creating a transparent system that encourages participation.

Redirecting funds into key services

Mr Samandito promised to use better allocation of funds to strengthen essential sectors, starting with health care. He vowed to introduce universal free health services immediately after taking office and to invest in local drug and medical equipment manufacturing to cut reliance on imports.

“This will fight inequality between the haves and havenots. Two minutes after my swearing in, I will announce free health care for every Tanzanian,” he said.

In education, he pledged free schooling from kindergarten to university, with strong focus on vocational training to prepare graduates for entrepreneurship and self-employment. In agriculture, CUF would invest heavily in irrigation systems, making use of water bodies nationwide, while also allocating free farmland to farmers.

Infrastructure and utilities

The CUF candidate stressed that with disciplined use of existing funds, Tanzania could finalise major infrastructure projects without donor dependence. These include completing the Mwanza–Isaka Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), building new lines from Mtwara to Mbamba Bay and from Mbamba Bay to Mchuchuma– Makambako and upgrading the Tanzania–Zambia Railway (TAZARA).

On utilities, he pledged nationwide expansion of clean water and electricity access. He said Lake Victoria and other water sources would be tapped for supply, while every household would be connected to electricity under a post-paid system that allows flexible repayment.

“Tanzania has abundant minerals for power generation. The challenge is not scarcity but poor allocation of resources. With proper investment, every home will have electricity,” he said.

Governance and security

Improved revenue mobilisation, Mr Samandito added, would also support governance reforms, including providing housing for all newly employed public servants. He also promised to expand and resource security agencies to curb disappearances and strengthen citizens’ protection.

“Enhancing our security institutions is not just about safety but also about protecting human rights, especially the right to live,” he emphasised.

CUF leadership endorsement

CUF National Chairperson, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba, told the rally that Mr Samandito was the right leader to unlock Tanzania’s financial potential. “He has been a farmer, a pastoralist and a fisherman. No candidate in other parties has such a broad experience. He knows the challenges of Tanzanians and already has solutions,” Prof Lipumba said.

A revenue-driven governance model

Throughout his address, Mr Samandito underlined that Tanzania’s development would not depend on external borrowing but on mobilising domestic resources through mining reforms, simplified taxation, and better allocation of funds. “We do not need to beg. Our wealth is enough to sustain us, if managed well. With the people’s consent, I will prove this,” he declared.