Govt investments transform Kigoma as tourism hotspot

DODOMA: BETWEEN 2020 and 2025, Kigoma Region has reaped significant benefits from government investments aimed at boosting tourism.

This includes promoting attractions such as Gombe National Park, Mahale National Park, Lake Tanganyika and historical and cultural sites like the Dr Livingstone Memorial Centre in Ujiji.

The achievements were revealed by the Kigoma Regional Commissioner (RC), retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Ambassador Simon Sirro, during a press conference in Dodoma, where he discussed the successes of the sixth phase government.

Over the four-year period, domestic tourists surged from 630 in 2020 to 11,769 by 2025, while international visitors increased from 345 in 2020 to 655 by 2025.

Additionally, the mining sector plays a vital role in contributing to national income, foreign currency earnings and overall economic growth.

Notable achievements in this sector include an increase in gold production from 12,500 grammes in 2020 to 15,200 grammes by 2025, marking a 22 per cent rise.

Foreign currency earnings from mining skyrocketed from 22,600 US dollars in 2020 to 115,400 US dollars in 2025, a staggering 411per cent increase.

The mining market also expanded from one old market in Kakonko and a new market in 2020 to two by 2025 in Kigoma, along with a notable rise in mining licenses issued from 354 in 2020 to 799 in 2025.

Under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government has continued to implement various plans for sustainable economic, social and environmental services.

This includes thorough conservation efforts while ensuring community access to natural resources.

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From 2020 to 2025, 141 local councils successfully established sustainable forest reserves totalling 91,691 hectares, as well as managing forests in three councils in Uvinza and Kasulu, covering an area of 208,556 hectares.

Efforts have also been made to develop 13 government conservation forests totalling 222,919 hectares, alongside one hunting block of 100,000 hectares named MakereUvinza.

Moreover, seven community forests have been allocated as bee reserves in Kakonko, Kibondo and Kasulu districts.

“The Uvinza District Council has entered a contract to sell carbon credits from the Masito Forest. Additionally, land distribution for agriculture and livestock has been successful, with 10,000 hectares released from the Makere Southern Forest for community development,” said RC Sirro.

Collaboration with environmental stakeholders has led to tree planting campaigns that have resulted in the planting of 34.5 million trees across all districts in Kigoma from 2020 to 2025, aimed at enhancing natural habitats, protecting water sources and mitigating climate change impacts, according to him.