DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Former Tanzanian Member of Parliament (MP) Seleman Bungara, widely known as Bwege and remembered across East Africa for his viral “Uliskia Wapi” phrase, has died.
Bungara passed away on Monday in Dar es Salaam while receiving treatment, according to local media reports. His death marks the end of a political career that spanned more than a decade and extended his influence far beyond Tanzania’s borders into the region’s digital culture.
He served as MP for Kilwa South from 2005, initially under the Civic United Front before later joining ACT Wazalendo. Over the years, Bungara built a reputation as an outspoken and combative legislator, frequently taking firm positions on governance and accountability.
During his parliamentary tenure, he sat on several key committees, including Agriculture, Livestock and Water (2010–2013), HIV and AIDS Affairs (2013–2015), and later Social Development and Services. His contributions reflected a focus on social policy and public welfare issues.
Bungara’s profile surged beyond politics in 2020 following a widely circulated press conference clip in which he dismissed claims that he had defected to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi. In a sharp exchange with journalists, he asked, “Uliskia wapi?” — loosely translated as “Where did you hear that?”
The phrase quickly gained traction online, particularly in Kenya, where it was adapted into “Olisikia wapi” and evolved into a popular meme. It became embedded in everyday digital conversations and even appeared on merchandise, cementing Bungara’s unlikely status as a cross-border pop culture figure.
Despite his popularity, Bungara lost his Kilwa South seat in Tanzania’s October 2020 general election while contesting under ACT Wazalendo. He secured 10,096 votes, falling to CCM candidate Ally Kasinge, who polled 22,521 votes, ending his 15-year stint in Parliament.
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His political career was also marked by moments of confrontation. In June 2020, shortly after joining ACT Wazalendo, Bungara was arrested alongside party leader Zitto Kabwe during a political meeting. The two were later released on bond, in an incident that underscored tensions facing opposition figures in Tanzania.
Earlier, in 2016, he drew national attention during a heated exchange in Parliament involving the use of his nickname “Bwege”, highlighting both his combative style and his prominence in political discourse.
Following news of his death, tributes have poured in across social media platforms, with many remembering him not only as a politician but as a cultural figure whose words transcended borders.
To supporters and observers alike, Bungara remains a charismatic opposition voice whose humour and communication style resonated with a generation navigating politics through both traditional and digital spaces.
