DP’s Mluya pledges economic, tax reforms
TABORA: DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) presidential candidate, Juma Mluya has unveiled a bold vision for the country, outlining his top priorities, if elected in the upcoming General Election.
His agenda includes sweeping economic reforms, the industrialisation of agriculture, and the establishment of a tax system designed to attract and retain investors.
Mluya emphasised that his policies aim to boost productivity, create jobs and position the country as a competitive player in the regional and global economy.
Mr Mluya unveiled his plans on Thursday while officially launching his party’s campaign at the Old Bus Stand grounds in Tabora town.
He emphasised that under a DP government, the tax system would be designed to benefit citizens as well as investors, backed by strong infrastructure to support growth.
“We will not impose punitive taxes. Instead, we will create a tax system that is friendly and makes citizens eager to pay because they will see the benefits of their contributions,” he said.
Turning to agriculture, Mr Mluya pledged that his government would introduce reforms, including establishing processing industries to add value to local produce.
Industries, he said, would be tailored to regional crops to boost exports, strengthen both local and national economies and increase foreign reserves.
He further promised to develop reliable infrastructure across all regions, including the construction of modern markets and quality roads to facilitate economic activities.
Mr Mluya stated that his administration would prioritise protecting the capital of small-scale entrepreneurs, who make up the majority of the business community, by fostering a supportive business environment, underpinned by sound economic policies developed by experts. He added that DP’s leadership would prioritise fairness and equality, ensuring the protection of human rights.
On diaspora engagement, Mr Mluya pledged to introduce dual citizenship, enabling Tanzanians abroad to contribute to national development.
However, he clarified that such citizens would not be eligible to contest political positions, stressing that the law would safeguard their dignity and interests at home.
Regarding education, he promised to overhaul the current system to deliver measurable outcomes. Students, he said, would be required to read and write proficiently within one year, while specialised teachers would identify and nurture children’s talents through to university.
He further explained that secondary education, under his government, would last two years, followed by two years of advanced studies, with strong emphasis on vocational training.
On healthcare, the DP candidate vowed that within 100 days after taking office, pregnant women would receive free health services, and hospitals would no longer withhold the bodies of deceased individuals over unpaid bills, with such debts cancelled.
Mr Mluya also pledged to review the pension formula to ensure retirees receive full cash payments upon retirement.
He said new public servants with clean disciplinary records would be eligible for governmentbacked loans to help them access affordable housing.
For his part, Mr Saadin Khatibu, Mr Mluya’s running mate, urged Tanzanians to vote wisely, stressing that their candidacy was focused on addressing national challenges rather than competing against individuals.
