By Business Insider Reporter, Zanzibar
The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office for Union and Environment, Hamad Yussuf Masauni (puctured abive), has called on Members of the House of Representatives to take a leading role in educating the public about the foundations, benefits and responsibilities of protecting the Union of Tanzania.
Addressing a Union education seminar for Members of the House of Representatives of Zanzibar on February 27, 2026, the minister urged the representatives to actively counter misinformation surrounding the Union, particularly during public meetings and across social media platforms.
He said that by promoting accurate information and engaging citizens constructively, the representatives would serve as ambassadors of peace, unity and national cohesion, strengthening dialogue between government and the public.
The seminar forms part of an ongoing national programme aimed at expanding civic education on Union matters to various segments of society.
Minister Masauni emphasised that representatives occupy a critical position in safeguarding and consolidating the Union through their legislative, oversight and public engagement roles.
“You carry a historic responsibility to ensure that the Union remains a source of peace, solidarity between the two sides and sustainable development,” he told the gathering.
He noted that members of the House of Representatives are uniquely placed to advance Union awareness because of their close and regular interaction with constituents in their electoral areas.
Their accessibility, he said, gives them both the opportunity and the obligation to deepen public understanding of the Union’s structure and significance.
According to the minister, a key focus of the education drive is the youth, with the aim of helping them understand and capitalise on the opportunities created by the Union for their personal advancement and for national development more broadly.
While numerous economic and social opportunities exist within the Union framework, he observed that insufficient promotion and public explanation have limited awareness among citizens.
The seminar covered a range of topics, including the origins, principles, importance and distinctive characteristics of the Union. Through these discussions, participants were expected to broaden their understanding and cultivate a stronger sense of patriotism, reinforcing their commitment to preserving and strengthening the Union for the benefit of current and future generations.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office for Union and Environment, Dr. Richard Muyungi, reaffirmed the office’s commitment to continuing Union education initiatives across different groups in society, with the goal of deepening and consolidating public understanding of Union affairs. The renewed emphasis on civic education comes at a time when policymakers are seeking to reinforce national cohesion and ensure that public discourse around the Union is informed, constructive and aligned with long-term stability and development objectives.
