Kagera nets 1.13tri/- investment under Samia

KAGERA: KAGERA Region has seen historic progress under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, with over 1.13tri/- disbursed for development projects between November 2020 and April 2025, Kagera Regional CCM Chairman, Nazir Karamagi, has said.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba Municipal yesterday, Mr Karamagi highlighted that the significant investment has driven fundamental transformation across key sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water, livestock and fisheries, winning the profound appreciation of Kagera residents.

“On behalf of all Kagera residents, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the government. In just four years, we have seen remarkable change that has improved lives across every sector,” said Mr Karamagi.

He outlined major investments in healthcare, including 146.3bn/- allocated during the period. As a result, health facilities increased from 249 to 336, hospitals grew from three to eight, health centres increased from 29 to 42, dispensaries rose from 217 to 283 and medicine availability improved from 85 per cent to 93 per cent.

In education, the budget increased from 96.7bn/- to 128.1bn/-, leading to primary schools rising from 942 to 1,058, secondary schools increasing from 224 to 292, primary school classrooms rising from 7,074 to 9,818 and secondary school classrooms increasing from 2,522 to 4,480.

Mr Karamagi further highlighted a milestone energy project that will connect all eight councils in Kagera Region to the national electricity grid for the first time.

He noted the government has signed contracts worth 105.6 million US dollars (about 262.5bn/-) for the construction of A 220 kV transmission line from Benako (Ngara District) to Kyaka (Misenyi District) and a 220/33 kV substation at Benako.

The contracts were awarded to China’s TBEA Co. Ltd (substation) and India’s Transrail Lighting Ltd (transmission line), with the project expected to be completed within 24 months.

“This marks a new chapter. In the past, Kagera relied heavily on electricity imports from Uganda (around 40 MW) and an additional 7 MW from a private operator. This project ensures stable, reliable power across the region,” said Mr Karamagi.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dodoma on August 25, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Mr Doto Biteko, said the project fulfills President Samia’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to underserved regions.

“For the first time, Kagera will be fully connected to the national grid. This will unlock social and economic potential across the region,” Mr Biteko said.

The project is jointly financed by OPEC Fund – 60 million US dollars, Abu Dhabi Fund 30 million US dollars, Saudi Fund 13 million US dollars and the government of Tanzania dished out 2.6 million US dollars (for compensation to over 1,000 affected residents)