TRUTH FIRST, A NEW CONSTITUTION LATER

 

“A New Constitution Is Not a Personal Gift—It Is Not Like a Father Returning from Rwanda with a Bunch of Bananas” MwAnAkWeTu From Mbagala.

 

ADELADIUS MAKWEGA – MBAGALA

 

“Teacher, SHIKAMOO! How is Musoma, all well? Have you listened to the Vice President? Do you think a New Constitution can truly change the political direction of our country?”

These are not simple questions. They carry the weight of a nation. They touch the very core of leadership, justice, and the future of Tanzania. And when they were asked by Mtweve Kayanda—a former student of Mwanakwetu—they were not just greetings, but a cry from a generation seeking answers.

 

A generation tired of waiting

.
A generation demanding real change.

When Mwanakwetu heard these words, he did not take them lightly. He recognised that this was a broader debate—a debate about the future of the nation. A debate about the Constitution. A debate about justice.

 

According to the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 (Articles 47–50), the Vice President is not a ceremonial figure. He is a pillar of the state. The principal assistant to the President. A bridge of the Union. A leader who can assume the highest office at any moment.

 

And more than that—he is entrusted with overseeing Union affairs and the environment. These are not ordinary responsibilities; they are sensitive areas that touch the very survival and unity of the nation.

It is in this context that we hear the recent remarks of the Vice President, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, emphasising the importance of a New Constitution.

 

Is this just another political statement?

Or is it a signal that the system itself recognises it has reached its limits?

Mwanakwetu responded firmly:

“This is not a casual statement. It is a sign. It is a message from within the system itself that fundamental change is needed. A New Constitution is not a luxury—it is a historical necessity.”

 

But this is where the debate becomes even heavier.

Can we build a New Constitution on a foundation filled with wounds?
Can we write a new future while ignoring the past?

 

Mwanakwetu says—no.

He states clearly, without hesitation:

There is no New Constitution without justice. There are no reforms without accountability.

 

He then outlines key conditions:

First, the truth about the killings of citizens since 2015 must be known. Those who ordered, executed, and protected these acts must be held accountable. A nation cannot move forward on the blood of the innocent.

 

Second, abductions must be exposed. Fear cannot be a tool of governance. A country cannot be safe if its citizens live in constant anxiety.

Third, those abducted and killed must receive justice—full truth must come out. Who planned it? Who funded it? If public resources were used, then those responsible must pay with their wealth.

 

Fourth, for those who disappeared without explanation—the nation demands answers. Families deserve closure. This is not politics—this is humanity.

Above all, Mwanakwetu points directly at the system:

 

State institutions cannot be above the law. Their leaders must be held accountable.

 

And those who weaponised the law for political purposes—fabricating charges, detaining opponents—must face consequences without mercy.

Mwanakwetu concludes with words that strike at the heart of the nation:

 

“A New Constitution is not just a document. It is a new social contract. But it cannot be born in the shadow of fear, blood, and silence. We must first have the courage to admit mistakes, restore justice, and hold perpetrators accountable. Only then will a New Constitution have the legitimacy to lead future generations.”

 

In conclusion, let me state four key points:

 

First, a New Constitution is a national debt—not a gift from politicians.

Tanzanians must understand that a New Constitution is not a favour from leaders nor a campaign promise—it is a fundamental right. It is a historical obligation owed to past, present, and future generations. No nation can build a stable future while clinging to a system widely criticised by its own people. Therefore, the demand for a New Constitution must not belong to politicians alone—it must be the voice of every Tanzanian: farmers, workers, students, and entrepreneurs. This is a struggle for justice, not just a political debate.

 

Second, real change requires the courage of the entire nation.

Not CHADEMA alone. Not Tundu Lissu alone. Not only those who have lost loved ones since 2015. Not only those who have been permanently injured—but all citizens, including those still untouched—because what happened to others can happen to anyone next.

 

The journey towards a New Constitution is not about empty words—it demands difficult decisions. It requires leaders to admit mistakes, and citizens to demand their rights without fear. If the nation fails to act now, history will not forgive it. This is the moment to stand up, speak the truth, and choose a new direction. A New Constitution will not come through noise alone—it will come through the collective will of Tanzanians to liberate their country from systems that no longer serve them.

 

Third, a New Constitution must not become a shield for wrongdoing.
It must not be used to hide perpetrators or bury past injustices. Instead, it must be a light that exposes truth and strengthens justice. A nation cannot build a new governance system on silence, fear, or mutual protection. If a New Constitution becomes a tool to forget or ignore past crimes, then it will not be a solution—it will be a continuation of the same problems in a different form. Therefore, before drafting a New Constitution, there must be courage to name, investigate, and hold accountable all those responsible for wrongdoing. Only then can the Constitution serve justice—not protect injustice.

 

Fourth, this is not one person’s argument.

This is the voice of a nation awakening.

It is the voice of Tanzanians saying—enough is enough.

 

The question is no longer whether a New Constitution is needed.

The question is: do we have the courage to achieve it?

 

Mwanakwetu is present.

And history is being written.

Have a good day.

 

Remember:
“Truth First, a New Constitution Later.”

ADELADIUS

 MAKWEGA
Email: makwadeladius@gmail.com

Phone: 0717 649 257