On the morning of March 30, 2026, two visitors from the Office of the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Mwigulu Nchemba, arrived at the Office of the Regional Commissioner of Mara. They reported their presence and explained that they were conducting training on the verification of data concerning people with disabilities for several regional officials in Mara, including ICT officers and Social Welfare Officers from each district council.
These visitors met Mwanakwetu accompanied by Richard Magoiga, one of the senior officials in the Mara Regional Commissioner’s Office. Mwanakwetu then joined them and attended the training held at the Musoma Municipal offices.
The training session began with Josephy Humphrey, an ICT officer from the Prime Minister’s Office, explaining the importance of maintaining accurate records of people with disabilities within a system that spans from the street/village level up to the national level under the Prime Minister’s Office.
“These records capture several details, including name, age, date of birth, place of origin, NIDA ID (if available), whether the person has relocated, and the type of disability. Finally, they indicate the person’s needs based on that disability. All this information will be filled in by a Social Welfare Officer, while other sections will be completed by the Prime Minister’s Office.”
Humphrey added that if the data is properly managed, people with disabilities could receive identification cards and timely services. If a person relocates, they would know they might miss out on services unless they report to a Social Welfare Officer to update their information. He emphasized that the government’s goal is to identify people with disabilities, understand their needs, and ensure those needs are met.
He also stressed the importance of accurately specifying the type of disability in order to determine appropriate support—for example, providing a mobility bicycle or special oil for people with skin conditions.
During the session, participants were given a chance to ask questions. Consolata Anselim Makomelo, a Social Welfare Officer from Musoma Municipality, asked why it is necessary to take a full-body photograph of a person rather than using a passport-size photo. This question was answered by Bruno Mwakabibi, also a Social Welfare Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office:
“It is necessary for a person with a disability to have a full-body photograph so that it clearly reflects their actual physical condition.”
Mwakabibi shared a case where job vacancies had been advertised, and an individual applied multiple times, eventually being hired twice—once using secondary school certificates and again using higher education credentials—while falsely claiming to have albinism.
“Later, an investigation revealed that the individual did not have albinism, even though their passport photo suggested otherwise. Authorities contacted the head of the secondary school the applicant attended and asked whether the person had albinism. The teacher said no. The teacher even went to the individual’s home and asked why they had committed the fraud. The individual replied, ‘I did it to get a job because people with disabilities are more likely to be employed.’ This later became a criminal offense.”
Makomelo asked another question: what happens if a person has a hearing impairment? How would the Prime Minister’s Office verify such a case?
Mwakabibi responded:
“The community knows each individual and their condition, especially when records indicate their street or village of origin. Communication can be made with the local area, and they will confirm—‘that one is mute,’ ‘that one is deaf.’ Accurate information will always be obtained.”
The training continued until its conclusion, after which Mwanakwetu prepared this article.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“Data on People with Disabilities Must Be Collected Accurately.”
Have a nice day.
0717649257
.gif)
.gif)
Post a Comment