Joseph Isangura
Tensions flared on Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, when dozens of worshippers from the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, popularly known as Ufufuo na Uzima, were arrested for congregating outside their sealed-off premises.
The arrests come weeks after the government officially deregistered the church, citing violations of the Societies Act (Cap. 337).
Armed Tanzania Police Force officers sealed off all entrances to the compound, which has been under surveillance since the June 2 deregistration order by the Registrar of Societies, Emmanuel Kihampa. According to his office, the church’s activities included politically charged sermons, violating the principle of religious neutrality required by Tanzanian law.
Among those affected were congregants who responded to an appeal by their spiritual leader, Bishop Josephat Gwajima, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Kawe. In a post on his official Facebook page, Gwajima quoted Hebrews 10:25 to urge his followers not to abandon communal worship despite ongoing restrictions:
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…”
Although Bishop Gwajima was not seen at the scene on Sunday, his followers gathered outside the locked gates, praying and singing before police intervened. Many were loaded into Land Rover Defenders, a familiar sight in Tanzanian police operations.
The incident has ignited debate over religious freedom, a right enshrined in the Constitution of Tanzania. While the government maintains the church violated legal provisions, civil society groups and some legal experts argue that closing places of worship raises concerns about the state’s role in policing religion and freedom of assembly.
The church has since filed a constitutional petition, challenging the legality of its deregistration, and the matter is currently before the courts. Legal analysts point out that the case may set a precedent for how religious institutions can engage with social or political commentary without risking closure.
This is not the first time Gwajima, known for blending faith and politics, has come under scrutiny. He has previously clashed with authorities over his vocal positions on issues such as COVID-19 vaccines, gender rights, and state surveillance, often using his pulpit to speak on matters beyond religion.
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Public reaction remains divided. Supporters argue that the crackdown undermines democracy and spiritual freedom, while critics insist that faith leaders must be held accountable when they stray into politics. The timing is especially sensitive as Tanzania prepares for local government elections later this year and general elections in 2025.
As of Monday morning, police continued to block access to the premises, with officers turning away anyone attempting to enter or pray nearby. No official statement had been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the detained worshippers, and efforts to reach Bishop Gwajima’s legal team were unsuccessful.
The unfolding case promises to remain in the national spotlight as it touches on core issues of constitutional rights, government oversight, and the boundaries between religion and politics in a modern democratic state.
