Tanzania Goes After CCM MP Following Criticism of Widespread Abduction
The Tanzanian government has banned operations at Glory of Christ Church, owned by Kawe’s controversial MP Josephat Gwajima, just days after he criticized the alleged kidnapping of activists, including Kenyans.
The church’s suspension was first reported on Monday evening, June 2, via a letter from Tanzania’s Registrar of Civil Societies.
The letter accused Gwajima of sending messages that could “endanger peace and national stability.”
President Samia Suluhu Hassan's Tanzanian🇹🇿 government moves to deregister the Glory of Christ Church – Ufufuo na Uzima, which is owned by Kawe Member of Parliament and Bishop, Josephat Gwajima who publicly condemned abductions and disappearances in the country.
— Kennedy Wandera (@KennedyWandera_) June 2, 2025
The government… pic.twitter.com/gruNuhxW1y
The church was also accused of exceeding its authority as a religious entity and allegedly breaking its stated purpose by becoming a platform for political activism.
The Tanzanian Registrar of Civil Societies further indicated that the closure was taken out in accordance with Sections 17(b) and 2 of the Societies Act Cap 337, citing revisions made by the Miscellaneous Amendments Act No. 3 of 2019.
On Monday evening, Gwajima resorted to Facebook to claim that police had surrounded his church for unknown reasons. At the same time, there were protests outside his church.
“Police have surrounded the church, and they came in very fast to listen to what was going on,” Gwajima said.
“I’m not sure what is going on, but I can see three police vehicles outside. I would like to ask my followers and congregants to realise that we are surrounded by police. I don’t know what they want to do.”
🚨 BREAKING: BISHOP GWAJIMA MISSING IN TANZANIA! 🇹🇿 POLICE ABDUCTION SHOCKS THE NATION! 🚨
— Mbishi ⚖ (@bizy94) June 3, 2025
The world is watching in horror as Bishop Josephat Gwajima, @jgwajima a fearless voice for justice, has VANISHED after speaking out against the Suluhu administration’s brutal human rights… pic.twitter.com/dKPGZjR0dP
Hours later, further reports emerged that the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Force had arrested numerous people on suspicion of violating a government order to close the church.
Jumanne Muliro, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, confirmed the arrests on a radio station on Tuesday.
Muliro stated that authorities wanted to probe whether the individuals were aware of the government’s directive or if they deliberately defied the order to cause unrest.
“While we were giving instructions on what should be done (regarding the closure of Bishop Gwajima’s church) in line with legal directives, there were some people who were acting in ignorance,” he said.
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“So we had to take them in, and we are continuing to question them to determine whether they truly didn’t understand what was being enforced or if they were simply refusing to comply in an attempt to stir up trouble.”
Gwajima courted controversy when he spoke out on enforced disappearances of activists, as he hinted that Tanzania was no longer safe.
There is a heavy police presence at the Glory of Christ Church – Ufufuo na Uzima – owned by Kawe Member of Parliament and Bishop Josephat Gwajima, following the government’s decision to deregister the religious institution.
— Taifa Daily (@TaifaDaily) June 3, 2025
The entire church compound in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam,… pic.twitter.com/9BKOyNEDmk
“I’ve documented over 85 cases of missing persons… including opposition leaders and human rights activists,” Gwanjima said.
“This makes people around the world think Tanzania’s hotels are unsafe, which is dangerous for our tourism sector.”
Tanzania Goes After CCM MP Following Criticism of Widespread Abduction
