By Deogratias Kishombo
Observers and political analysts say Bukoba rural of today is quite different from that of 1990s and back.
According to Mr Nazir Karamagi, the constituency is currently recording high level of poverty and there is evidence to show that.
About 394,020 people in the area, according to 2002 census live on hand to mouth economy and lack some basic needs.
Poverty is real
The area currently lacks safe water, no electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, few health centres, high HIV/Aids prevalence, diseases and ethnic differences to some people.
Despite that, the constituency has six active political parties since 1992 -- the ruling party, CCM, still a dominant party followed by Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, CUF, UDP, and TLP.
The major political issue in the district is funds the embezzlement in the district council, according to Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (Redet).
Crops such as banana, coffee, tea, flowers other cash crops now no longer exist. The empirical study shows that at least 80 per cent of working population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, but due to what the residents call ?lack of serious leadership and politics of hate.?
The annual per capita income was Sh95,623 or about euros24 in 1997 against the national per capita income of Sh147,026 or euros37.
The industrial base of Kagera Region is still very small due to the fact that most important industries are those involved in the processing of cash crops such as coffee and cotton, other small scale industries include sawmills
Fishing and livestock farming are culturally important, but despite their potential they contribute very little to the region?s economy, both sectors remain underdeveloped and fishermen families have remained as ?refugees in camps.?
"We are eating fish skeletons instead of real fish and our siblings lack access to the lake. They are told by local government officials that Lake Victoria belongs to investors," said Gosbert Mutensa a resident of Ibwera village.
Sanitation is a big problem in Bukoba rural compared to other districts in the region as less than 5 per
cent of the population enjoy appropriate sanitation, according to region's information website.
A big number of people depend on river water, unprotected wells or bore holes. Some harvested rainwater at their homes, but all not so clean.
Education performance has dropped adversely with most of the youths have abandoned school and ventured into petty businesses. This reporter saw many school age children selling bananas and tomatoes at Kemondo Bay.
Contradiction
The constituency legislator Mr Karamagi is blamed to have abandoned the area as he does not represented them effectively in the National Assembly in Dodoma.
Mr Jasson Rweikiza, the district CCM parents? wing chairman, said the constituency is facing many challenges including poor social services.
He says "We lack market for our crops thus most of people are rushing here and there searching for markets, but in vain. The price for our coffee for instance, has dropped drastically pushing farmers deep into poverty. They produce a lot, but they get ?poor returns for their crops."
He said poor transport infrastructure in the villages are impassable during rainy seasons. He cited Kitembe village in Izimbwa division that is completely cut off during rainy season.
However, he added, "The constituency lacks teachers for both primary and secondary schools. For instance, only two teachers are available at Bujugo Secondary School, the headmaster and one teacher."
Mr Patrick Kalinjuna, 86, of Mbatama village, blamed abject poverty in the area to their legislator.
"He is not cooperative at all, he has abandon us even the elders in the area. Just imagine, he contributed only Sh50,000 to Mwenge Secondary School for construction of an administration block," he said.
But Mr Karamagi denies the claims, saying the residents are lazy and cannot even propose development projects they need.
"Many people in the country think people from Kagera Region are well educated, but the real truth is that we are at the bottom of the education ladder," he said.
However, he rejects claims that he is not representing them effectively in the Parliament.
He said he has done a lot of things in his constituency, but a few people appear not to appreciate his contribution, and instead mudsling him.
"I ma sure I have done many good things, but some people do not appreciate my efforts," he said.
The 2010 general election.
There are already signs that the regislator is going to face serious competition from among his ruling party members. Some CCM members have already shown interest in Karamagi?s seat.
It was recently reported the legislator clashed with the regional party chairman during a closed door meeting in Bukoba.
"Of course we need changes, we want our area to develop. I think we have other good people who can provide effective leadership towards achieving development," said Mr Waziri Kyobya, Ibwera Ward councillor (CCM).
However, there are rumours on the ground say Mr Rweikiza would contest the seat during the next general election, but when contacted he told Political Platform that to contest an election is the basic right of Tanzanians after they turn 18 years and above.
"It is too early for me to declare interest in the forthcoming general election because since we still plenty of time to do so. Today I can declare that I will contest, but I could change my mind at the last minute by not picking the nomination form, " he said.
According to him, he sees the possibility of winning, he would as well join the fray because a constituency do not belong to any particular individual.
Mr Rweikiza who holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Dar es Salaam, graduated in 1986, possesses an MA degree in Public Administration from the University of Peggio, Italy, and advanced diploma in transport management from Belgium, and has contributed to various economic activities in the constituency.
"I have tried to support my people in various development activities. I expect to build other schools in the constituency at Kyetema area," he said
