Tanzania: UMKI Ups Stakes On Development At Dar Es Salaam Meeting

By Mutayoba Arbogast Tanzania’s Umoja Wa Maendeleo Kikukwe(UMKI), on Sunday, October 30, 2022, held a meeting at Suma JKT, Umoja hall in Mwenge, Dar es salaam to deliberate on matters of development in Kikukwe village. The Sunday meeting was a precursor of the general meeting slated for December 27 in Kiukwe. UMKI, at the initial stage, was formed by Kikukwe residents living outside the village and having no chance to participate physically in development projects. They participate by sending their remittances for the village development projects. Godfrey Mugini, UMKI Chairperson, informed the members that the government-owned Kikukwe secondary school hostel, which is under construction in partnership with community members and well-wishers, is ongoing and is expected to be completed soon. When completed, the hostel is expected to host hundreds of students. The organization also has a nursery for Hass avocado seedlings which supplies more than ten thousand seedlings within the village and neighborhoods. According to Mugini, they have been given twelve acres of land by the Village land committee, two for Hass avocado demonstration farm, and ten acres for its own modern avocado farming and other facilities, including a mall and a fuel station to bring more impact to the community. On her part, Magreth Kyai, UMKI Executive Secretary, said the organization has three committees to foster their dreams into reality. They are the Economic Development Education and Social Service committee. The Social Service committee is mandated to mobilize the community to join Universal health coverage (UHC)to enable everyone to get the health services they need without financial hardship. "We are regretting that we didn't realize early of the importance of bringing back home whatever little we get, but now we have awakened to see our village shines," says Magreth. Josephat Ikula, the Kikukwe village Chairperson, lauded the efforts by UMKI toward village development. He noted that the villagers participate mostly by providing workforce and funds.