Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, has delivered a firm and emotional message to government officials, warning that leaders who ignore citizens’ problems or allow injustice to persist have no place in public office.
Speaking on January 8, 2026, at the Annual Conference bringing together street vendors, motorcycle taxi riders, and three-wheeler operators at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, the Prime Minister emphasized that leadership must be guided by fairness, compassion, and respect for the people.
Dr. Nchemba said Tanzania is fortunate to be led by a President who values justice and empathy, noting that from the very beginning of his leadership, the President made it clear that the government would not operate on money obtained through oppression. According to the Prime Minister, this principle reflects a deep moral responsibility to protect citizens, especially those at the grassroots level.
He revealed that he has directed the revenue authorities to review cases where citizens may have been charged beyond approved estimates. Where excess payments have been collected, he said, refunds must be made without delay. Government revenue, he stressed, should never be built on the suffering of the people.
Turning his attention to public servants at regional and district levels, Dr. Nchemba criticized the habit of ignoring complaints submitted by citizens. He said it was unacceptable for leaders to remain silent while wananchi face harassment, economic injustice, or outright abuse of power. In his words, any leader who fails to act against such wrongdoing should consider themselves to have “dismissed themselves from duty.”
In a decisive on-the-spot directive, the Prime Minister ordered the Dar es Salaam Regional Police and the Regional Commissioner to immediately trace and provide protection to a woman who was reportedly being unlawfully deprived of her land. He further instructed that if any buildings were constructed through intimidation or abuse of authority on that land, they must be demolished within seven days.
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Dr. Nchemba made it clear that the era of endless instructions is over. He said the government is now focused on action and accountability, warning officials who collaborate with land grabbers or other exploitative networks that they will face serious consequences.
Addressing participants from the informal sector, he encouraged citizens not to be afraid to speak out when they are mistreated. He assured them that the government is committed to improving the business environment and supporting economic empowerment, particularly for small traders and transport operators who form the backbone of urban livelihoods.
Analysts say the Prime Minister’s remarks reinforce broader national efforts to strengthen accountability and people-centered leadership in Tanzania. The informal economy, which employs millions of Tanzanians, remains central to social stability and economic growth.
The setting of the address, at a venue named after the nation’s founding leader Julius Nyerere, added symbolic weight to the message, echoing long-held values of equality, justice, and servant leadership.
Observers also link the Prime Minister’s statements to ongoing conversations around good governance and public accountability, particularly the responsibility of leaders to protect citizens from abuse of power.
