Uzini by election campain kicks off yesterday by chadema

Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) has vowed to continue fighting for the interests of the poor. The pledge was given yesterday by party secretary general Dr Wilbroad Slaa at the launch of the party’s Uzini constituency by- election campaign at Bambi in Unguja South region. He stressed that the government had failed to solve the problems facing teachers and doctors while millions of shillings were being stolen by corrupt leaders whom the government had failed to take legal action. “Regardless the fact that the police have been used by leaders to throw tear cannisters at us when we press for good governance, we shall still continue fighting for their rights because they also work under difficult conditions,” he said, adding: "They have been experiencing difficulties getting good salaries. We are here to defend the rights and interests of all wananchi, including the police.” He explained that Tanzanians could not develop while their children studied in a poor environment, with little pay for the teachers while the children of the leaders studied in posh schools abroad. The by-election in Uzini constituency is being held after the incumbent member of parliament, Khamis Mussa Silima, died in a road accident in Dodoma last August 12. He told the gathering that only education was the engine of development for the country and its people. “But the two governments of Zanzibar and Union have failed to improve the sector,” explained the Chadema secretary general. He explained that following poor government plans, Zanzibar had continued to remain poor despite having plenty of resources. “Instead these natural resources have continued to benefit European nations," he said. He said Euroipean countries had developed through the use of resources from Africa, leaving the majority of African countries and their people very poor. “We need to make true political and leadership changes if we want to gain development, and this can be done through the 2015 general election,” stressed Dr Slaa. He told the rally that his party had decided to make political changes in Zanzibar to enable the people to be heard. “We aim to be the opposition in the House of Representatives, because the current members of the House from the opposition have lost their integrity as opposition representatives,” said Freeman Mbowe, the party's national chairman. For his part, Ali Mshimba Mbarouk, the party's candidate in the constituency, said the people's problems had prompted him to contest for the post. “The majority of people here lack access to social services,” he said, promising to work hard to mitigate the problems if elected.