Tanzania lecturer Melkisedek Kaijage has been charged with terrorism after his arrest over planned protests linked to democratic reforms and election anger.
A Tanzania lecturer is facing a terrorism charge after his arrest over planned protests linked to demands for democratic reforms and anger over post-election violence. Melkisedek Kaijage, who teaches at the University of Dodoma, was brought before a magistrate’s court after 15 days in police custody, only to learn that prosecutors had changed the case against him.
Kaijage had first been accused of inciting people to join the planned demonstrations. He was arrested a day after the nationwide protests were due to take place. The protests were banned and never happened. Authorities had deployed security forces across major cities on 7 July and warned that they would act against anyone they believed was encouraging unrest.
Prosecutors now say Kaijage threatened to burn public buildings as part of intimidation tactics. He did not enter a plea at Thursday’s hearing because the terrorism case can only be handled by a higher court. Under Tanzanian law, terrorism offences are generally not eligible for bail, which means he will remain in custody until the case reaches trial.
The university lecturer was among more than 130 people arrested over the planned protests, which were tied to calls for democratic reforms and justice for those killed in a crackdown after last year’s election. Gerald Shija, chairman of the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association, said Kaijage has been moved from police custody to Isanga Prison in Dodoma.
“Tanzania lecturer Melkisedek Kaijage has been charged with terrorism after his arrest over planned protests linked to democratic reforms and election anger.”
Colleagues describe Kaijage as a respected academic whose reputation rests on his teaching rather than on political activism. His case is unfolding as the Tanzanian authorities widen their pressure on opposition figures and activists who have criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Last month, the government suspended political rallies nationwide until further notice, saying the step was needed to preserve security.
The wider backdrop is the deadly unrest that followed the results of the 29 October 2025 election. A commission of inquiry established by President Samia said 518 people died from “unnatural causes,” including 197 who were shot dead. The violence shook a country long known for calm and stability, while the opposition rejected President Samia’s 98% victory as a mockery of democracy after her two main challengers were excluded.
President Samia said the election was fair and transparent and blamed foreigners for the unrest, calling it part of a plot to remove her from power. That dispute now sits behind the terrorism charge against Kaijage, making his case another test of how far Tanzania’s government is willing to go in response to dissent. For American readers, the key point is simple: when a government treats protest-linked speech as terrorism, the space for peaceful opposition can narrow fast.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Melkisedek Kaijage arrested?
He was arrested over planned nationwide protests linked to demands for democratic reforms and anger over post-election violence. He was first accused of inciting people to join the demonstrations.
What charge does he face now?
Prosecutors now say he threatened to burn public buildings as part of intimidation tactics, and the case has been changed to a terrorism charge.
Can Kaijage get bail?
The article says terrorism offences are generally not eligible for bail in Tanzania. That means he will remain in custody until the case reaches trial.
What larger events are behind the protest unrest?
The protests were tied to demands for democratic reforms and justice for people killed in the crackdown after last year’s election. The article says a commission found 518 people died from unnatural causes after the 29 October 2025 election.
We value your privacy 🍪We use cookies for essential features and, if you allow it, to send you a notification whenever we publish a new story. See our Privacy Policy.
📨
Never Miss a Story
Get the headlines that matter delivered straight to your inbox.
📱 On iPhone: tap the Share icon, choose “Add to Home Screen”, then open TheTrueDefender from your Home Screen and tap 🔔 to turn on notifications. (Apple only allows notifications for saved web apps.)
📱 Add TheTrueDefender to your home screen for one-tap access.
