President Samia scraps off Independence Day celebrations

DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has cancelled this year’s national Independence Day celebrations and directed that funds initially earmarked for the event be redirected to support social service initiatives.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced in Dodoma on Wednesday that the President had instructed the celebrations to be conducted at the regional level instead of the national level.

Traditionally, Independence Day is marked with parades, flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances and speeches from national leaders.

However, this year’s focus will shift to community-driven activities such as tree planting, cleaning public spaces—including markets, hospitals and homes for the elderly and disabled—and organising sports competitions, seminars and discussions on Tanzania’s achievements over the 63 years since independence.

“The government urges citizens to actively participate in these activities, fostering a sense of pride in the unique progress achieved through our independence,” Mr Majaliwa stated during a ministers’ working session.

He also called on Regional Commissioners across mainland Tanzania to ensure the government’s directives are implemented effectively.

This year’s commemorative activities began on Monday and will culminate on December 9. Mr Majaliwa emphasised that all government institutions, along with defence and security organs, must decorate public buildings with the national flag, a portrait of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and a portrait of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Strong Leadership and Citizen Participation Are the Foundation of Our Development.”

This is not the first time President Samia has redirected Independence Day funds for social causes. In 2022, she allocated 960 million Tanzanian shillings, initially budgeted for the event, to construct dormitories for eight schools admitting students with special needs. Beneficiary schools included Buhangija (Shinyanga), Goeko (Tabora), Darajani (Singida), Mtanga (Lindi), Songambele (Manyara), Msanzi (Rukwa), Idofi (Njombe) and Longido (Arusha).

Former President John Magufuli adopted a similar approach during his tenure. In 2015, he redirected funds initially allocated for the 54th Independence Day celebrations to construct the Mwenge-Morocco Road in Dar es Salaam.

In 2016, 2.0bn/- earmarked for the event were used to expand a road in Mwanza.

Similarly, in 2018, 995 million shillings were repurposed to purchase medical equipment for Uhuru Hospital in Dodoma.

Tanzania, celebrating its 63rd anniversary this year, marks its independence from British rule every year on December 9.