KAMPALA, Uganda — Retired Ugandan General and former intelligence chief, David Sejusa, has ignited a regional diplomatic controversy by publicly urging the Tanzanian military to intervene and seize power following the country’s recent disputed general election.
The call came after incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the October 29 vote with over 97% of the ballots, a result that sparked deadly protests and accusations of widespread irregularities from opposition candidates.
Human rights groups have since reported at least ten confirmed deaths and dozens of arrests as police and military units were deployed to quell demonstrations in cities including Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Mwanza.
A Call for Military Intervention
Gen. Sejusa, a veteran commander of the National Resistance Army (NRA), made his demand explicit on the social media platform X.
The Tanzania People’s Defence Force should intervene and take over the state to stop more killings and destruction. When things stabilise, forge a way forward. You can’t allow irresponsible leaders to destroy Tanzania.”
Gen. Sejusa wrote.
The General, also known by his nom de guerre Tinyefuza, later defended his views against criticism, stating his position was based on credible sources, including Tanzania’s state broadcaster.
“The situation in Tanzania is different where there is contestation of power and legitimacy, yet people are being killed and property destroyed,” he argued. “The army is like a safety gauge intended to prevent national catastrophe.”
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Gen. Sejusa, known for his outspoken views on civil–military relations across Africa, further argued that military intervention could be justified when elected leaders “are incapable of safeguarding citizens’ dignity and safety,” adding that he is “not a prisoner to Eurocentric biases” that automatically view all coups as illegitimate.
Official Ugandan rebuttal
Gen. Sejusa’s statement immediately drew swift criticism from Uganda’s official diplomatic channels.
Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), warned that Gen. Sejusa’s remarks were “overboard” and based on “confusion in social media.”
Ayebare countered the General’s claims by insisting that the situation in Tanzania had “greatly stabilised” and urged all parties to respect constitutional processes.
The Tanzanian government has maintained that law and order have been fully restored, dismissing claims of widespread instability.
Nonetheless, regional observers have voiced concern regarding the credibility of the polls and the heavy-handed response used against the resulting protests.
As of yet, the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU) have not issued a direct statement on Gen. Sejusa’s controversial demand.
