We buy raw materials, not uniforms, TPDF clarifies

KATARE MBASHIRU

TANZANIA People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) said yesterday that it has been procuring raw materials for the military uniform making factories from local suppliers to support the country’s industrialisation drive.

TPDF Head of Logistics and Engineering, Brigadier General Mwaipopo Kyalaaliko, told the ‘Daily News’ in an interview that the army has its own textiles that produce uniforms for its soldiers.
“Among them (textiles) is Chang’ombe Military Tailoring Unit in Dar es Salaam that produces all military uniforms for our soldiers,” he said.
Commander Kyalaaliko was clarifying the showcasing of samples of military attire, not uniforms, by Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (METL) owned 21st century at the just ended Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) Industrial Exhibitions.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment organised the exhibitions through the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE).
According to Mr Kyalaaliko, through purchase of raw materials from domestic suppliers, the army complements President John Magufuli’s quest for transformation of the country into industrial economy.
“We have been purchasing our products from local suppliers to implement the directive by the Head of State to discourage unnecessary imports and We buy raw materials, not uniforms, TPDF clarifies promote our local industries,” he said, adding that the Morogoro- based METL’s 21st Century is one of the local textiles that supply uniform materials to the military.
He was, however, categorical that the purchase of materials from civilians for use by the military factories that produce uniforms was not against a recent directive by President Magufuli.
The president, speaking at his impromptu visit at Ukonga Prison in Dar es Salaam, prohibited members of the armed forces from procuring uniforms from civilian retail shops