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Mwanza to launch 58 development projects during Uhuru Torch Race

FIFTY-eight development projects, valued at over 99.3bn/-, are set to be launched during the National Uhuru Torch Race, which started yesterday and will run

MWANZA: FIFTY-eight development projects, valued at over 99.3bn/-, are set to be launched during the National Uhuru Torch Race, which started yesterday and will run until the 14th of this month.

Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Said Mtanda, revealed that the funding for these projects includes contributions of 2.6bn/- from citizens, 2.7bn/- from councils, 74.2bn/- from donors and 19.7bn/- from the central government.

According to Mr Mtanda, the Torch Race will coincide with Youth Week commemorations and the 25th anniversary of the passing of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, on the 14th of October.

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The national Youth Week, which is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mr Kassim Majaliwa on the 10th of October, will bring together participants from 31 regions to exchange skills through an innovation exhibition.

“Mwanza is honoured to host the climax of this year’s Uhuru Torch Race. I urge residents to attend these celebrations in large numbers,” said the RC. He further explained that the region received the Torch from Geita yesterday (Sunday) in Buchosa Council, Sengerema District, for a 627-kilometre run across all eight councils of Mwanza.

The grand event will be held at CCM Kirumba Stadium, preceded by the Youth Forum on the 11th and 12th, focusing on the theme ‘Youth on Digital Opportunities for Sustainable Development’. Additionally, a debate in honour of Mwalimu Nyerere will take place on the 13th.

Referring to the 2024 Uhuru Torch Race theme, ‘Conserve the Environment and Participate in Local Government Elections for a Sustainable Nation’, Mr Mtanda highlighted that Mwanza region, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has been encouraging citizens to protect the environment. By April this year, 6,665,477 trees had been planted.

“This figure includes 726,006 trees that were replanted due to last year’s drought, incidents of arson and livestock damage,” he said.