DAR ES SALAAM, TANANIA — A prominent Tanzanian Catholic priest and vocal critic of the government has been violently attacked, raising concerns about escalating political tensions in the lead-up to the general elections scheduled for October.
Father Charles Kitima, the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), was ambushed by two individuals late at night in a canteen restroom near his residence in Dar es Salaam. He had been attending a day-long religious meeting prior to the assault.
According to police reports, Father Kitima sustained head injuries after being struck with a blunt object. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Father Kitima was seen conversing with several people before the attack. Moments after individuals were observed fleeing the scene, he was found bleeding and calling for help.
Police have confirmed the detention of one suspect, and investigations are ongoing to identify any additional perpetrators.
The attack on Father Kitima has been met with widespread condemnation, given his prominent role within the Catholic Church in Tanzania.
Boniface Mwabukusi, president of the Tanganyika Law Society, visited the priest in the hospital and described the incident as “a brutal attack with the intent to take his life.”
In a post on X, Mwabukusi conveyed Father Kitima’s message to Tanzanians: “we should not be afraid to pay the price for standing up for justice and fulfilling our duties to the country.”
This assault occurs against a backdrop of increasing political tension in Tanzania as the general elections approach, with human rights organizations expressing growing concerns regarding the constriction of civic space, accountability, and justice.
John Heche, vice-chairman of the opposition Chadema party, described the attack as “bad news for the country.”
The Legal and Human Rights Centre, a prominent lobby group, also condemned the “heinous attack,” stating that it presents a “bad image” for Tanzania.
Father Kitima has a long history of publicly criticizing government policies and is widely recognized in Tanzania for his courageous stance on democratic reforms and human rights issues.
This assault, which has deeply alarmed faith leaders and civil society organizations, occurred just days after the Catholic Church publicly urged the government to heed calls for electoral reform – a key demand of the opposition parties.
Leaders of Christian churches, who collectively represent approximately 60% of the Tanzanian population, have increasingly voiced their opinions on matters of justice and governance.
However, this criticism has been met with disapproval from some supporters of the ruling party, with certain senior figures urging religious leaders to refrain from engaging in political discourse.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan cautioned the opposition last weekend, stating that “no-one is above the law” and adding, “We must not allow this election to be a cause for conflict.” She also sought to alleviate concerns about potential election rigging by vowing that the government would “do everything in its power to ensure that the election is free and fair.”
Since the previous year, Tanzania has witnessed a concerning trend of attacks and abductions targeting individuals critical of the government. Prominent opposition figures, including Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, have also been arrested and face charges such as treason. However, attacks of this nature specifically targeting church leaders remain uncommon.
Police have stated that the motive behind the attack on Father Kitima is currently unknown, and the ongoing investigation aims to identify any other individuals involved.
As of now, the government has not issued any official comment regarding the assault. However, Stephen Wasira, vice-chairman of the ruling CCM party, has condemned the attack and conveyed a message of sympathy to the injured priest.
