Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, has announced that there will be no celebrations for Tanganyika’s Independence Day on December 9 this year. The decision comes as the government prioritises rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the October 29 riots.
Speaking in Mbezi, Ubungo District, on November 24, 2025, the Prime Minister said the funds originally allocated for the national event have been reassigned, following a directive from President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“On 9 December there will be no commemorative celebrations. The funds that were intended for the event have been redirected, on the instructions of President Samia, towards repairing the damaged infrastructure,” he said.
At least 240 people were charged with treason following the protests, but President Samia later sought to ease tensions by asking prosecutors to “show leniency.” Many of those charged have reportedly already been released.
On Monday, while announcing the cancellation of celebrations, Nchemba appealed to Tanzanians to avoid violence and emphasized the importance of political dialogue.
“I urge my fellow Tanzanians to come together and discuss the issues affecting us. Let us not return to what we went through, because the consequences are irreparable,” he said.
Nchemba further called on all ministries, agencies, and local authorities involved in the Independence Day preparations to immediately convene and coordinate the reallocation of budgets, logistics, and other resources toward reconstruction efforts.
The announcement was delivered after the Prime Minister toured road maintenance works along the Kimara–Mbezi route, one of the areas significantly affected during the late-October unrest. His inspection aimed to evaluate ongoing repair activities and ensure the accelerated restoration of damaged infrastructure.
The government maintains that redirecting funds from the annual celebrations will enable a faster recovery process while supporting communities whose daily lives were disrupted by the riots.
