Bombadier makes Mwanza maiden trip

MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba

PRESIDENT John Magufuli’s pledge to ensure that Tanzanians get modern transport connectivity has been fulfilled after one of the recently acquired Bombadier airliner made its first maiden landing at the Bukoba airport. Hundreds of anxious Bukoba residents waited for more than 30 minutes.

IN a bid to promote Kiswahili within and outside the country, University of Dar es Salaam Vice- Chancellor, Prof Rwekaza Mukandala has advised some subjects to be taught using the language.

Outgoing UDSM VC made the remarks in Dar es Salaam this week shortly after he received Kiswahili award that was presented to him in recognition of his contribution in developing and promoting Kiswahili in various stages both at national and international level.
The award was prepared by the University’s Institute of Kiswahili Studies (IKS) and presented to him by the former first lady and the first Kiswahili Ambassador in Africa, Mama Salma Kikwete.
“I think it is high time now we start carrying out pilot studies on using Kiswahili in teaching some of the subjects, not all, and it is possible. I and others are capable, since we do write academic books in Swahili language, there is no reason as to why we should not teach in Kiswahili,” said Prof Mukandala.
He said if there is availability of material for teaching in Swahili language, then there is no reason to continue embracing other languages in studies, adding that academicians and scholars should help in making this dream came true by producing a number of books and publications in Swahili language.
During his administration up to date, Prof Mukandala made possible for Kiswahili to be used in the university’s council meetings, and directed it to be the official language to be used in all documents as means of communication, and hence made UDSM to be the first university to use Kiswahili in its high level decision meetings.
By doing so, Prof Mukandala helped the university lecturers to be competent in the language, and new words were formed to replace English words that were frequently used.
On her part, the guest of honour who is also the Kiswahili Ambassador in Africa, Mama Salma Kikwete, applauded Prof Mukandala’s efforts in promoting Kiswahili, and urged responsible authorities to develop and promote Kiswahili.
Mama Salma however urged his successor to take where Prof Mukandala left in promoting and developing Kiswahili language, adding that other universities can borrow a leaf from UDSM in using Kiswahili as their official communication language.

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Jubilation filled the air when the plane landed at the Bukoba Airport at around 9.30 a.m this morning. Prudence Kibuka (33), a Bukoba based journalist, said the airliner will greatly ease transport hitches between Bukoba and other towns. “We have been waiting for quite a long time to see the “Bombadier”.

The dream has finally come true. We thank Dr Magufuli for fulfilling his promise,” he remarked. Janet Kaimukirwa (28), a petty trader dealing in “Senene” business, expressed satisfaction after the plane touched down.

“I have been travelling from Bukoba to Mwanza by road, spending more than eight hours on the road. The coming of the Bombadier will minimise the time we had been wasting travelling by road. My senene business will flourish because I can now travel to Mwanza, Dar and Bukoba within a short period of time,” she said.

Kagera residents will undoubtedly utilise the Bombadier airliner to make quick business to speed up their development pace.

The residents still have sad memories of the MV Bukoba disaster which capsized and sank on May 21, 1996 killing, an estimated 1,000 people. The steamer was on routine journey plying from Bukoba via Kemondo to Mwanza South Port