Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
The conversation between Mwanakwetu and this Doctor of Philosophy was very good—friendly and sincere, not flattery or hypocrisy. Both participants were government employees, not private-sector workers. It should be remembered that even a public servant is also a citizen.
“If something good happens, he/she is happy too, but if something goes wrong—something that could have been done better—he/she also gets angry.”
As this conversation was going on, Mwanakwetu was cooking his Easter pilau, having just returned from church after attending the Easter Mass on April 5, 2026.
While cooking, the discussion became very engaging. The scholar mentioned five key issues:
First, 33 percent;Second, U.S. President Donald Trump;Third, electricity and gas;Fourth, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam; And fifth, the media as the fourth pillar.
On the issue of the 33 percent, he said:
“If Dr. Andulile had gone further, he would have realized that from the public’s perspective, an increase in fuel prices by 1,000 shillings causes everything else to rise by about 33 percent—food, construction materials, and services. Price increases are harmful because bringing them down is very difficult, even if conditions improve in the future. Everything becomes expensive. For example, if a motorcycle taxi rider was charging 1,000 shillings for 2 km and now charges 2,500, even if conditions improve, it’s very hard to go back to the old price. That’s why a responsible government must provide subsidies to help citizens maintain their standard of living.”
Mwanakwetu responded:
“Yesterday evening I bought a chips-and-eggs meal here in Musoma town for 3,000 shillings. It was well packed, but when I ate it, I was surprised—it was very little, and I didn’t feel full, whereas normally I do.
Also, during the crisis of October 29 and the days that followed in 2025, butchers raised meat prices—goat, sheep, and beef—and those prices have still not come down.”
The scholar replied that once prices rise, they tend to stay up—that’s the same 33 percent effect from fuel price increases.
He added:
“To solve these issues affecting Tanzanians, the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Energy could call an emergency meeting. Energy committees could convene and decide that certain prices should be subsidized through national resources to relieve citizens.
As for President Donald Trump, he has said that after three weeks he will end the war. Remember, the U.S. has elections in September. They must win the war because its effects are significant—for example, a gallon of fuel now costs four dollars, whereas it used to be two and a half. This frustrates American voters. Long ago, they adopted the gallon system to maintain vehicles and avoid selling fuel in small quantities like in Tanzania. This helps reduce environmental pollution and vehicle damage. The U.S. established these systems long ago.”
That was the second issue—about President Donald Trump.
The third issue was electricity and gas. The scholar said:
“Recently we were in China, where they use electric cars. Electric vehicles have green plates, while fuel-powered ones have red plates. Electric cars are many and very quiet.
Tanzania should use gas for vehicles. Fuel imported from the Far East travels about 5,600 km, while gas from Mtwara is only about 600 km away. Even if gas were distributed nationwide, the cost would be far less than importing fuel from distant regions. Using gas nationwide would not even reach 1,600 km in distribution cost. The current system is economically inefficient.”
As he was explaining this, Mwanakwetu heard a knock at the door. His neighbors told him:
“Brother, you’re burning your pilau!”
He rushed to remove it from the stove while continuing to listen carefully.
The scholar then discussed electricity generation from the Julius Nyerere Dam:
“All nine turbines are operational, each producing 235 megawatts, but they have never been tested together at once—not even once. Egyptian engineers built a turbine maintenance facility in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, where all spare parts are available. Tanzania spent 6 trillion shillings on this dam. The Auditor General says all turbines should be run together to measure full capacity—why avoid it? We expect 2,115 megawatts, yet Egyptian maintenance experts are paid 25 billion shillings monthly.”
As Mwanakwetu served his slightly burnt pilau and set it on the table to cool, the scholar emphasized the role of the media:
“In situations like this, the media has a major responsibility to serve the public—not to be passive. Today, the media is the fourth pillar after the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
You can see their influence in government performance. For example, Dr. Andulile of EWURA used the media to announce new fuel prices, and leaders responded by removing him—without Parliament or the courts. Similarly, Humphrey Polepole effectively used the media; even his downfall was tied to it. He used the fourth pillar well.”
This discussion was rich, built around five key points, which Mwanakwetu compared to the five fingers of his right hand.
After discussing the five issues—33 percent, the U.S. President, electricity and gas, the Julius Nyerere Dam, and the media—the two parted ways, and Mwanakwetu began eating his Easter pilau.
What is Mwanakwetu saying today?
In truth, today’s media—especially social media—if it fulfills its duty properly, can greatly help liberate society. Journalists must avoid flattery and remember the condition of the entire society, not just their personal or political interests. If they do so, society will progress safely; otherwise, the nation risks decline.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“Brother, you’re burning your pilau.”
Have a nice day.
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