‘Placing Uhuru Torch on Mt Kilimanjaro signals Union strength’

KILIMANJARO: MINISTER of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, has argued that placing the Uhuru Torch at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro shows the strength of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Speaking during the flagging-off of the members of a special force from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) who embarked on trekking journey to placing the Uhuru Torch and placing the National Flag at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mr Ridhiwani said the event was also a tribute to the glorious Revolution of Zanzibar, “This year’s Uhuru Torch Race has a special significance because it was raced when we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, 60 years of Revolution of Zanzibar, 60 years since Uhuru Torch started its race and 25 years of the memory of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere,” Minister Ridhiwani said.

He also said the Torch will announce to Africa the urgent need for increased efforts in environmental conservation and addressing climate change for the well-being of living organisms, making the Earth a safer place to live.

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In addition, the Minister thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her vision which honours Mwalimu Nyerere, who was the founder of the Tanzanian Nation, the Uhuru Torch Race as well as the national unity that Tanzanians have had for many years.

He also urged the youth to come out in large numbers to vie for the leadership posts during this year’s Local Government election scheduled for November 27, this year.

Speaking earlier, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Pindi Chana said the placement of the Torch at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro reflects the country’s commitment to honoring the philosophy championed by President Samia to promote tourism in the country.

For his part, a leader of the special TPDF team, Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Khamis Khalid, promised that he and his colleagues will ensure that the Uhuru Torch and the National Flag reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro at the Uhuru Peak as directed by the Commander-in-Chief President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Earlier, Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr Nurdin Babu said that the Region was progressing well with the preparations for this year’s Local Government election, as part of the implementation of the slogan of the 2024 Uhuru Torch Race, which urged Tanzanians to participate well in the election.