CCM leader urges respect for security forces

MASWA: RULING CCM’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Kenani Kihongosi, has urged citizens to respect the country’s security forces, noting that they have sworn to protect the nation even at the cost of their lives.

Mr Kihongosi made the remarks while addressing residents of Shishiyu Ward in Maswa District, Simiyu Region, during his official working visit to the Lake Zone.

He said that every citizen has a responsibility to respect security personnel, who play a critical role in protecting the public, patrolling communities and safeguarding lives. “We all have a duty to respect our security forces. For instance, when shops close at 7:00 pm, who protects them, is it you or the police?” he asked.

“Imagine if all police officers went on a one-month leave, traffic officers disappeared, police stations closed and prisons and borders were left unguarded, would life improve?”

Mr Kihongosi said security personnel deserve respect and appreciation, as they perform duties that ordinary citizens cannot.

He praised their discipline, obedience and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

Before the meeting, Mr Kihongosi visited two development projects, starting with a cotton farm that uses modern farming technologies, including government-provided equipment for pesticide spraying. He noted that Simiyu is widely recognised as a “white gold” region for cotton, a key source of income and national wealth.

The project aims to boost productivity in cotton and other crops, including tobacco, reinforcing agriculture as the backbone of the nation.

“We will continue to push the government, as a party, to ensure cotton prices benefit farmers. This will allow cotton and other crop farmers to see tangible results in agriculture,” Mr Kihongosi said.

He added that the government has introduced modern, professional farming methods to support farmers, moving away from traditional practices.

He also highlighted CCM’s role in overseeing the implementation of its 2025–2030 Election Manifesto, which includes commitments to improve agriculture and infrastructure.

Maswa District Agriculture Officer Mr Hassan Kiseto said the government has been supporting cotton farmers by providing tractors and crop-dusting drones to protect crops and increase productivity.

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The district currently has three large tractors and three drones, which are also used to apply fertilisers and pesticides under a subsidy programme.

The drones, Mr Kiseto explained, save significant time, spraying one acre in seven to ten minutes, allowing many acres to be treated in a single day.

Cotton farmer Mr Nyanda Jimoka, a beneficiary of the technology, grows two acres of cotton in the village.

He expressed gratitude to the government for providing the technology and subsidies, noting that production per acre has increased from 200 kilogrammes to 1,000 kilogrammes. He requested continued support, including loans for tractors, to further boost productivity.

Mr Kihongosi also visited the construction of a girls’ dormitory at Shishiyu Secondary School, a project costing 160m/-.

The dormitory aims to ensure girls can continue their education without obstacles such as early pregnancy.