Joseph Isangura
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has appointed Paul Christian Makonda as the new Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, continuing a series of Cabinet adjustments aimed at strengthening government performance and public communication.
The appointment was announced late on Thursday night, January 8, 2026, in an official statement issued by the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Dr. Moses Kusiluka, and released through the Director of Presidential Communications at State House. According to the statement, Makonda will be sworn in on January 13, 2026, at State House, Chamwino in Dodoma, with the ceremony scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time.
Makonda was promoted from his previous role as Deputy Minister in the same ministry, where he was involved in overseeing government information services, cultural promotion, the creative arts sector, and national sports development. His elevation places him in charge of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, a portfolio that has grown in importance as digital media, public messaging, and cultural diplomacy increasingly shape national and international perceptions.
Beyond his recent ministerial role, Makonda brings a long and high-profile leadership history within both government administration and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). He previously served as Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest commercial hub, where he became widely known for his energetic and hands-on leadership style. His tenure in the region was marked by strong public visibility, coordinated urban management campaigns, and close engagement with grassroots communities, earning him both strong support and sharp criticism.
Prior to his Dar es Salaam posting, Makonda also served as Regional Commissioner for Arusha, a region of major economic and tourism significance. In Arusha, he was involved in coordinating government operations, security oversight, and regional development initiatives, further strengthening his profile as an administrator trusted with politically and economically sensitive regions.
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Within CCM, Makonda has held several influential positions over the years. He has served in party mobilization roles, including working within the party’s youth and organizational structures, and was at one point appointed Secretary for Ideology and Publicity for the party’s youth wing. These roles placed him at the center of political messaging, grassroots organization, and election-related mobilization, experiences that analysts say are likely to shape his approach to the information and communication portfolio at the national level.
President Samia’s decision to appoint Makonda is widely viewed as a strategic move to leverage his communication skills, political experience, and familiarity with mass engagement. Since taking office, the President has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and results-driven leadership, while also making use of Cabinet reshuffles—known globally as a cabinet reshuffle—to realign priorities and strengthen institutional performance.
As this remains a developing story, attention is now focused on Makonda’s expected priorities once he formally assumes office. Observers anticipate a stronger emphasis on government communication strategy, closer engagement with artists and cultural stakeholders, and efforts to raise Tanzania’s cultural and sports profile regionally and internationally. His leadership style, shaped by years in both regional administration and party politics, is expected to bring a more visible and assertive approach to the ministry.
The swearing-in ceremony in Dodoma will formally mark the beginning of Makonda’s tenure as minister, opening a new chapter for a ministry that sits at the crossroads of information, culture, national identity, and public influence under President Samia’s administration.
