CHAUMMA promises to revive all dormant industries if elected

MWANZA: THE Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma (CHAUMMA) party has pledged to revive all dormant industries across the country if it wins the upcoming General Election, giving current owners an 18-month ultimatum to restart operations or return them to the government.

Speaking in Mwanza on Sunday during the CHAUMMA’s campaign rally in the region, the party’s presidential candidate Mr Salum Mwalimu said the revival of industries would be a top priority in the party’s efforts to stimulate job creation, promote local production and boost the economy.

“Industries must not be left to rot while millions of Tanzanians lack jobs,” Mr Mwalimu said. “If the industries are not operational within 18 months of our leadership, we will repossess them for the benefit of the people.”

Mr Mwalimu also promised that a CHAUMMA-led government would allocate at least 10 per cent of the national budget to agriculture, aiming to raise the sector’s contribution to the economy to between 7 and 9 per cent within five years.

“For cotton farming in Mwanza, we will bring back the structured and impactful system from Mwalimu Nyerere’s era. Farmers knew exactly what was produced, seeds, oil, animal feed and how much they would earn per season,” he said.

He said that the agricultural sector would be directly linked with modern, well-equipped industries for value addition, job creation and rural development.

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The party also committed to the timely implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the Mwanza–Isaka Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), to drive economic growth and regional trade.

Land reforms were also prominently touched, where Mr Mwalimu said a CHAUMMA government would prioritise land formalisation to attract investors and empower citizens with legal land ownership. “This will allow people to use their land as collateral for loans or make informed decisions to sell or develop it,” he said.

Mr Mwalimu further promised to end persistent water shortages in Mwanza, describing access to clean water as a basic right that the government must ensure.

At the constituency level, CHAUMMA’s parliamentary candidate for Ilemela, Mr Evance Mabugo vowed to strengthen healthcare services, particularly by ensuring consistent supply of medicines and medical equipment at Igoma Dispensary.

He also promised to rehabilitate feeder roads, many of which are in poor condition and impassable during the rainy season and to construct a dedicated market complex for petty traders in the city centre.

Residents of Igoma Ward welcomed the campaign promises. Ms Hawa Yassin said improving feeder roads was urgent, especially during the rainy season and called for expansion of Igoma Dispensary.

Mr Hashim Idd, a fruit vendor, said the growing number of small traders in Igoma calls for proper market infrastructure to accommodate them.