Dodoma. The Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Rhimo Nyansaho, has requested Parliament to approve a total of Sh4.286 trillion to fund the ministry’s budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Dr Nyansaho presented the revenue and expenditure estimates in Parliament on Tuesday May 19, 2026.
He specified that out of the requested amount, Sh3.859 trillion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, whilst Sh426.53 billion will be directed towards development projects.
According to Dr Nyansaho, this budget aims to strengthen the defence sector by continuously enhancing the military’s capabilities through modern hardware and equipment, training, technology, and personnel welfare.
Kagera war veterans to get pensions
In a related development, the government of Tanzania has completed an exercise to identify and establish a framework for enrolling Kagera War veterans into the national pension register.
This initiative aims to officially recognise and provide formal care to the veterans in honour of their significant contribution to the defence of the nation.
Dr Nyansaho explained that the veterans who participated in the Kagera War fell into three distinct categories: active-duty soldiers serving in the military at the time, civilians who volunteered to fight for their country, and the Reserve Force (militia) that participated in national defence during that period.
Dr Nyansaho further clarified that following the conclusion of the war, some of these individuals secured employment within the defence and security organs.
However, others did not meet the employment criteria at the time due to various reasons, including injuries sustained on the battlefield.
During that era, the government, under the administration of the time, distributed a sum of Sh5,000 to some of the combatants as a token of appreciation, a payment traditionally known as Ahsante Nyerere.
Recognising the need for long-term welfare, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, directed the Ministry of Defence to conduct an assessment to ensure these veterans are formally recognised and integrated into the pension system to honour their national service.
Dr Nyansaho confirmed that the verification exercise is now complete, with more than 7,800 veterans identified through Reserve Force coordinators at the district level and District Commissioners’ offices.
The names of the verified veterans have already been submitted to the ministry of Finance for final verification, a crucial step that will pave the way for the commencement of pension disbursements as mandated by the government.
