Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
“Honourable Speaker, I sincerely ask that we set aside party politics. Let us abandon partisan matters. Let us ask ourselves here in Parliament: how many were once here? How many were here before, and where are they now? Today we stand here in Parliament—you are a Member of Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania; you are not a CCM MP! Your duty is to serve as a Member of Parliament for the United Republic of Tanzania. Your job is to oversee the Government. If the Government does wrong, speak up… if it does well, say so… Members of Parliament have become like ignorant people… If you ask an MP, are you hungry? Mmm…! Are you full? Mmm…! An MP does not even know what they stand for? Peace cannot be achieved without justice, peace cannot be achieved without justice. We say the Government does not listen, and that is why people flee abroad, even to America. When someone leaves the country, you call them a traitor. I told you—Muslims have been shot, and Christians have also been shot. We must safeguard the peace of our country; we must safeguard our national security…”
These were remarks by Honourable Seleiman Bwege when he was the Member of Parliament for Kilwa South, criticizing his fellow MPs for how they handled matters of public interest affecting Tanzanians. At that time, Bwege was an MP through ACT Wazalendo.
Why has Mwanakwetu recalled and quoted these remarks?
Recently, Honourable Bwege left ACT Wazalendo and joined CHADEMA. This decision followed several public statements reflecting his stance on national issues. Moreover, he demonstrated a noble act by appearing in court—carried in his wheelchair—while the treason case against Tundu Lissu was proceeding at the High Court of Tanzania.For Christians, let me remind you of the Gospel of Matthew 25:36:
“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
How many healthy, able-bodied people have done such a thing? What lesson do we learn from Honourable Bwege’s action?The question Mwanakwetu seeks to answer is this: Was Bwege’s decision to join CHADEMA the right one?
Without hesitation, Mwanakwetu believes it was the correct decision, considering the current political winds in Tanzania. Although ACT Wazalendo has Members of Parliament and councillors and participated in the 2025 General Election, the strongest momentum among opposition parties in Tanzania today belongs to CHADEMA. When observing Zitto Kabwe—one of ACT’s leaders and an influential figure in the party—Mwanakwetu carries doubts about ACT Wazalendo’s stability and its ability to effectively lead opposition politics or earn broad public trust.
Readers may recall Zitto Kabwe’s conflict within CHADEMA, which led to his removal from party positions and eventual expulsion between 2013 and 2015. Despite this, he remained in Parliament and continued receiving all MP benefits until Parliament was dissolved. That action raised serious doubts about his firmness in opposition politics. You may also recall some of Zitto’s close associates, such as Kitila Mkumbo, who later moved from ACT to CCM and assumed various positions.
To conclude and ease the doubts in my heart, allow me to recount a true story from the October 29, 2025 General Election involving an ACT Wazalendo member who contested in that election.
A young man—the son of the late Professor Juma Mikidadi Omari Mtupa, who once served as a CCM MP from the Coast Region—ran for ward councillor. He campaigned well. His name is Jamali.
Jamali told Mwanakwetu in September 2025 that he was running under ACT Wazalendo. Mwanakwetu responded frankly: at my age, when I hear that someone I respect is joining ACT Wazalendo in mainland Tanzania, I tell them honestly that I do not trust ACT at all. Jamali contested. On election day, he encountered shocking events and even witnessed questionable behavior from his former teacher. Shortly after the election, he was detained for nearly 30 days. When he was finally released, he explained what had happened.
Mwanakwetu asked him just one question: Did your party, ACT Wazalendo, follow up on your case?
Jamali replied:
“Brother Makwega, not at all. ACT did nothing. It was only my mother who kept going back and forth trying to help me. Even this phone I’m using now belongs to my mother.”
This deeply saddened Mwanakwetu.
That is why Mwanakwetu is even critical of CCM in cases where members face hardship and the party remains silent. A political party is you, me, and others together. In good times we stand together, and in bad times we must also stand together. If politics becomes unsafe, who will willingly participate?
Therefore, Mwanakwetu believes that Honourable Seleiman Bwege made the right decision in joining CHADEMA. Observe how CHADEMA has been following up on Tundu Lissu’s case in court. A political party must stand close to its members and their families during times of hardship. Tanzanians are not foolish—they see, they understand, and they learn.
“No political party gives birth to human beings. All politicians are someone’s children, born of men and women of the United Republic of Tanzania. We must be careful.”
Indeed, Seleiman Bwege made the right decision.
Mwanakwetu is also reminded of the song of Ujamaa:
“I will go with my hoe,To spread UJAMAA throughout Tanzania.Even to Kibiti I will go—throughout Tanzania. Even to Ulanga I will go—throughout Tanzania. Even to Iringa I will go—throughout Tanzania.Even to Songea I will go—throughout Tanzania.Even to Mbagala I will go—throughout Tanzania.”
Mwanakwetu, are you there?
Remember:
“Seleiman Bwege’s move to CHADEMA was the right decision.”
Have a good day.
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