Media Wire Express Correspondent
From 2018 to 2020, Mr Eyakuze faced difficulties after the Immigration Department confiscated his passport on allegations that he is not a Tanzanian citizen.
This happened shortly after releasing research findings that included a decline in the popularity of the late President John Magufuli.
“My work requires me to travel to offices in Kenya and Uganda, so for almost three years, I couldn’t travel outside Tanzania. It made it difficult to carry out my duties,” he said.
However, he said that by 2020, when COVID-19 travel restrictions were implemented, he was already experienced in working remotely.
He also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his employers during that time.
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“That’s why I am very thankful for working at Twaweza. I’ve had a board and directors who supported me 200 percent, not just 100 percent, to help us manage our core principles of transparency, participation, and accountability,” he said.
He said that after their requests had been rejected by the Tanzanian High Court, they took the matter to the Court of Appeal, where the decision was overturned on 4 December 2020.
“The court ordered the government to return my passport within 60 days, and on the 61st day, I got my passport,” he said, revealing that the government had raised concerns about his citizenship.
“However, according to the laws of this country, there was no offence, because both my parents were born here, my paternal and maternal grandparents were born here, and before that, there was no Tanzania.
Many people supported us, but we were in a time of fear, so it was difficult to openly show support,” he narrated.
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