Tanzania, June 11 -- Dodoma. The government plans to raise Sh7.5 billion through new levies on sugar and cigarettes to help finance the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, Parliament was told.

Presenting the Sh62.3 trillion national budget for the 2026/27 financial year on Thursday, Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar said the measures are intended to create a dedicated and sustainable funding stream for the health sector.

He said the government will amend the Excise (Management and Tariff) Act, Cap. 147, to increase excise duty on cigarettes by Sh20 per mille.

In addition, the Sugar Industry Act, Cap. 251, will be amended to introduce an extra levy of Sh10 per kilogramme on both imported and locally produced sugar.

"These measu...