HIGHEST GROWTH RATE
Refugees in Ngara District registered a population growth rate of 6% between June and December last year, a figure said to be the highest in the world; this compares with the figure of 2.9% in the rest of Tanzania. 6,000 Babies were born at the Kasulo camp where there are 436,000 refugees. The camp has well established medical services – Daily News.
LION VIRUS IDENTIFIED
Scientists have identified a virus that causes measles in humans and distemper in dogs as the virus which caused the death of about 1,000 lions, about a third of the lions in the Serengeti in 1994. Uncounted hyenas, bat-eared foxes and leopards were also affected. One way in which to avoid similar problems in the future is the inoculation of dogs against distemper, a programme which has now started – East African.
TOUGH POLICE ACTION
Fifty one people died and 416 others were injured in different traffic accidents in Dar es Salaam between January and March this year according to Police Commander Alfred Gewe. A total of 6,510 motor vehicles were impounded out of which 3,819 were the city commuter buses known as ‘dala dala’ in connection with various traffic offences. Drivers and conductors of the impounded vehicles were fined a total of Shs 113.8 million. Police had also netted 332 pirate taxis between January and March this year – Daily News.
ALLIANCE AIRLINE
The new South Africa/Uganda/Tanzania owned Alliance airline has floated a proposal to merge with Air Tanzania and Uganda Airlines. It has pointed out that both airlines are earmarked for privatisation and that there was no hope or future for small national airlines – Daily News.
MEDIA COUNCIL
A ‘Media Council’ under the Chairmanship of Professor Geoffrey Mmari has been set up to deal with complaints against the media. Members include Messrs. Joseph Masanilo, Chief Information Officer, British Council, Jenerali Ulimwengu, Editor of ‘Mtanzania’, Anthony Ngaiza, Editor ‘Majira’, Joseph Warioba, former Prime Minister and members of other political parties.