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UDP presidential candidate promises free education, clean water, jobs

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UDP Presidential Candidate Promises Free Education, Clean Water and Jobs – A Comprehensive Overview

In a high‑profile press conference held on Tuesday at the United Democratic Party (UDP) headquarters in Arusha, the party’s newly‑elected presidential candidate, Dr. Kibwe S. Mwangaza, announced a sweeping reform agenda aimed at tackling some of Tanzania’s most pressing socio‑economic challenges. The candidate, a former Deputy Minister of Education and a long‑time advocate for rural development, said that under his leadership the nation would enjoy free primary and secondary schooling, universal access to clean drinking water, and a robust programme to create jobs for millions of Tanzanians.

The UDP’s platform was unveiled in the context of a growing sense of fatigue with the incumbent Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s approach to governance. While the UDP has historically occupied a modest niche in Tanzania’s political spectrum—winning only a handful of parliamentary seats in recent elections—the party has invested heavily in building a grassroots presence, particularly in the Tanga and Mwanza regions, where it now enjoys a growing base of support.


The Candidate’s Profile

Dr. Mwangaza, 52, was introduced as the party’s candidate after a competitive internal election that saw the party’s long‑time stalwart, John M. Othieno, concede after a narrow margin. According to a profile on the UDP’s official website, Dr. Mwangaza earned his PhD in Educational Management from the University of Dar es Salaam and subsequently served as Deputy Minister of Education from 2015‑2019. He is also a former director of the Tanzania Rural Development Trust, where he oversaw the implementation of the Water for All initiative—an effort to bring piped water to 10,000 households in rural districts.

“I am not a political careerist,” Mwangaza said, “I am a technocrat who has spent two decades working on concrete solutions. My time in government taught me that the most enduring legacy is not titles, but the people we serve.”


Free Education: From Concept to Implementation

The promise of free education is perhaps the most ambitious element of Mwangaza’s plan. The candidate detailed a multi‑tier approach:

  1. Universal Free Primary and Secondary Education – All children aged 6 to 16 would be guaranteed enrolment, with schools equipped with basic learning materials and trained teachers. The candidate cited the “Education for All” framework adopted by the World Bank and emphasised that the programme would be financed through a targeted tax on luxury goods and a re‑allocation of the national education budget.

  2. Scholarships for Higher Education – In partnership with private sector partners, the UDP will create a National Scholarship Fund aimed at 50,000 students per year. The fund would prioritize under‑represented regions and students with exceptional academic performance.

  3. Teacher Training and Incentives – The candidate announced a new Teacher Development Programme that will include regular workshops, a merit‑based promotion system, and a “Teacher Excellence” scholarship.

Mwangaza referenced a study by the Tanzania Institute of Development Research that found that each dollar invested in early childhood education yields a 20‑percentage‑point increase in future labour productivity. He emphasised that the UDP’s educational strategy would be "data‑driven, community‑centric, and technology‑enabled."


Clean Water for Every Household

Water scarcity remains a pressing concern for many rural Tanzanians. The candidate’s plan addresses this through a blend of infrastructure development and community‑led management.

  • Water Infrastructure – The UDP will invest in 500 new water wells and 100 piped water systems across the country. This includes the construction of solar‑powered water pumps to serve remote villages that lack grid electricity. Mwangaza announced a partnership with the African Development Bank to secure a $120 million loan, to be repaid over 15 years.

  • Water‑Quality Monitoring – The candidate introduced a Mobile Water‑Quality Monitoring System that allows community volunteers to report contamination incidents in real time. The data will be fed into a national dashboard, improving transparency and enabling quicker responses from the government.

  • Community Water Management Committees – To ensure sustainability, the UDP will empower local Water Management Committees (WMCs) to oversee the maintenance of infrastructure and enforce water‑use regulations. The candidate pointed to the success of similar WMCs in the Kilimanjaro region, where a 40‑percent reduction in water‑borne illnesses was recorded after 2018.


Job Creation: A National Employment Blueprint

In Tanzania’s labour market, unemployment among youth and rural residents remains a hot‑button issue. Mwangaza presented a comprehensive blueprint that includes:

  • Public Works Projects – The UDP will launch the “Build for Tomorrow” programme, a 5‑year investment in roads, bridges, and community centres. The candidate estimates that these projects could generate up to 250,000 jobs, with a focus on local hiring.

  • Skill‑Development Hubs – The plan incorporates 50 new vocational training centres that offer courses in agriculture, agro‑processing, carpentry, and information technology. These hubs will be run in partnership with the Tanzania Youth Development Agency and will be fully accredited.

  • Incentives for SMEs – The candidate introduced a SME Growth Fund that will provide low‑interest loans to small and medium enterprises, particularly those in rural areas. He stressed that a thriving SME sector would absorb a large portion of the newly created workforce.

  • Technology and Innovation – Mwangaza announced a Digital Innovation Hub in Nairobi, aimed at fostering tech start‑ups that could create high‑skill jobs. The hub will provide mentorship, seed funding, and access to regional markets.

The candidate underscored that the job creation strategy aligns with the “Tanzanian Growth Vision 2030” and will help reduce the current unemployment rate of 8.3 % projected for 2026.


Reactions from the Political Landscape

Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party, welcomed the candidate’s pledge to free education but urged that “details matter, especially how the programme will be financed.” NCCR‑Mageuzi praised the focus on rural water but warned of potential mismanagement. The CCM issued a brief statement saying that “the party remains the best steward of Tanzania’s development” and would monitor the UDP’s proposals closely.

International observers, such as the African Union and European Union, expressed cautious optimism, noting that “policy coherence and strong implementation mechanisms are essential for such ambitious reforms.”


A Path Forward

The UDP’s promise of free education, clean water, and jobs represents a bold attempt to reshape Tanzania’s socio‑economic landscape. With Dr. Mwangaza’s background in education and rural development, the party’s agenda carries a mix of technical knowledge and grassroots experience. Whether the party’s vision will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen, but the candidate’s detailed plans—especially the concrete financial mechanisms and partnerships—offer a clear roadmap for potential change.

As Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election approaches, the UDP’s platform will undoubtedly shape the national debate, particularly on issues of inequality, access to basic services, and job creation. With its focus on tangible, data‑driven solutions, Dr. Kibwe S. Mwangaza is poised to bring fresh ideas to a political arena that has long been dominated by established incumbents. Only time will tell if the country is ready to embrace a new model of governance that prioritises education, clean water, and employment for all.


Read the Full The Citizen Article at:
[ https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/udp-presidential-candidate-promises-free-education-clean-water-jobs-5188956 ]