All protocol observed! For every district you enter in Mwanza, and I believe in other parts of Tanzania, you must first present yourself to the district head of the community. Loretta and I had a three day visit across Lake Victoria to two Island communities in Manza – Ukerewe and Ukara. When I asked Dotto, our fixer why we must always present ourselves at the district office, he explained that ‘it is what is required of every foreigner, especially foreign journalist. In reporting yourself to the district office, that way, you are in their care and they can help you in case you run into any problem during your stay in the community’.

So, apart from the approval at the Ministry of Information in Dar es Salam, you must always go with your passport, the approval letter from the ministry of information and also, make an appearance in all the district office/ ward you are going to. –Oluwabusayo Sotunde.

[Picture: Office of the ward officer at Bwisya, Ukara].