By Timothy Nsubuga

8^th Nov 2010

Re-elected President

Tanzania’s incumbent President Jakaya Kikwete has been returned as the country’s President following last weekend’s elections. Tanzania’s Electoral Commission said Mr Kikwete won just over 61% of the votes, beating candidates from opposition parties.

The main opposition leader, Willibrod Slaa, had called for a vote recount, but the commission said there were not enough irregularities to change the final result.

Mr Kikwete, the man who stole the accolade of “darling of the West” from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni after he out-shined the latter with his good governance credentials, has also been credited with boosting the nation’s economy.

His opponents however maintain that Kikwete he has failed to tackle the widespread poverty in the country.  Tanzania boasts East Africa’s second-biggest economy, although more than 50% of Tanzanians still live below the poverty line, according to the IMF.

Unlike his counterpart Yoweri Museveni who controversially changed Uganda’s constitution to make himself eligible to contest the presidency of Uganda for as long as he wants, 60yr old Jakaya Kikwete on the other hand has showed admirable political maturity and respect for constitutionalism in Tanzania.

As a result, Kikwete will only serve his second and final term as required by Tanzania’s constitution.  END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.