A prominent Tanzanian Catholic priest and government critic, Father Charles Kitima, has been violently attacked in Dar es Salaam, raising concerns about escalating political tensions ahead of elections scheduled for October.
Father Kitima, the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), was ambushed by two individuals in a canteen restroom near his residence after attending an all-day religious meeting.
Police report that he was struck on the head with a blunt object and was subsequently admitted to hospital, where he is now in a stable condition. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Father Kitima speaking with several people before the attack and later found him bleeding and calling for help, moments after individuals were seen fleeing the scene.
Authorities have detained one suspect, and investigations are ongoing.
The attack on Father Kitima has been widely condemned. Boniface Mwabukusi, president of the Tanganyika Law Society, who visited the priest in hospital, described it as “a brutal attack with the intent to take his life.” He shared on X that Father Kitima’s message to Tanzanians was that “we should not be afraid to pay the price for standing up for justice and fulfilling our duties to the country.”
The incident has heightened concerns about the shrinking civic space, accountability, and justice in Tanzania, particularly as the country approaches its general elections. Opposition Chadema party vice-chairman John Heche described the attack as “bad news for the country,” and the Legal and Human Rights Centre condemned the “heinous attack,” stating that it portrays a “bad image” for Tanzania.
Father Kitima is known for his vocal criticism of government policies and his advocacy for democratic reforms and human rights. The attack comes days after the Catholic Church called on the government to address demands for electoral reform, a key issue for the opposition.
Leaders of Christian churches, who represent a significant portion of Tanzania’s population, have become increasingly outspoken on matters of justice and governance. However, this criticism has drawn negative reactions from some supporters of the ruling party, with senior figures urging religious leaders to refrain from political involvement.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently issued a warning to the opposition, stating that “no-one is above the law.”
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