Business returns to normal in Kagera

KAGERA: BUSINESS activities in Bukoba Municipality and the seven councils of Muleba, Biharamulo, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba have returned to normal after several days of disruption.

Petrol stations, which had remained closed for almost four days, have also resumed operations. A survey by ‘Daily News’ at four petrol stations of Camel Oil Ltd, Total Energies Kanoni, Oryx Aboos and Total Energies Maktaba found customers being served without interruption.

Hassan Dickson (25), a transport operator, commended the government and the Police Force for their swift action in restoring normalcy.

“Most transport operators depend on daily business. The four days we stayed at home were very painful as we had insufficient food stocks, and our children could not attend school. We thank the government for the quick response and urge all Tanzanians to preserve peace at all costs,” he said.

As of yesterday, petrol (unleaded) was selling at 3,002/- per litre, diesel at 2,955/- per litre, and kerosene at 3,024/- per litre.

In the transport sector, upcountry buses and minibuses (Hiace) operating on routes such as Bukoba–Karagwe, Bukoba–Muleba, and Bukoba–Mutukula also resumed services.

Prices of most food commodities have remained stable, except for a few items like onions, which are mainly sourced from Singida Region.

ALSO READ: Funguo Project injects 2.5bn/- to boost Tanzania’s microbusinesses

In the education sector, a large number of primary and secondary schools had, until yesterday, not resumed classes as headteachers awaited official communication.

Sauda Hussein (34), a teacher at Nshamba Secondary School in Muleba District, said they were waiting for an official statement to allow students to return to class.

Meanwhile, four new faces have won parliamentary seats in Kagera Region through the CCM ticket following the just-ended General Election.

The Kagera Regional Coordinator of Elections under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ms Mapinduzi  Rushema, named the new MPs as Eng Johnston Johanssen Mutasingwa (Bukoba Urban), Mr Adonis Alfred Bitegeko (Muleba North), Mr Dotto Jasson Bahemu (Ngara), and Mr Khalid Mussa Nsekela (Kyerwa).

Five incumbent MPs were re-elected, including Dr Jasson Samson Rweikiza (Bukoba Rural), Dr Oscar Ishengoma Kikoyo (Muleba South), Eng Ezra John Chiwelesa (Biharamulo West), Mr Innocent Lugha Bashungwa (Karagwe), and Mr Florent Laurent Kyombo (Missenyi).