Politics 23 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Tanzania Commission Reports 518 Deaths in Election Violence, Blames Protesters
A government commission in Tanzania has confirmed at least 518 deaths during last October's election unrest, attributing the violence to organized protesters. The main opposition CHADEMA dismissed the findings as biased, while the report avoids critiquing security forces. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/tanzania-inquiry-says-over-500-killed-in-last-year-s-election-violence-5434604
A Tanzanian government-appointed commission revealed that at least 518 individuals lost their lives amid violence during the October elections. This marks the first official recognition of the unrest’s deadly toll, though the figure may be conservative due to identification challenges.
The inquiry, led by Mohamed Chande Othman, pinned responsibility on protesters, claiming ‘indisputable evidence’ of planning and funding by trained individuals who mobilized desperate youth for coordinated attacks. It stopped short of evaluating law enforcement’s role, instead urging a separate criminal probe.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who secured nearly 98% of the presidential vote, received the report privately and described it as ‘the property of the president,’ with no immediate public release planned. She has previously alleged foreign-backed attempts to topple her administration.
Opposition heavyweight CHADEMA rejected the commission outright, arguing a government implicated in abuses cannot fairly investigate itself. This echoes UN estimates of hundreds killed after opposition candidates were barred, and CHADEMA’s claims of thousands dead.
The commission noted allegations of shootings in homes and shops, including a Mwanza cafe incident where Reuters reported police killing over a dozen unarmed youths away from protests. Authorities have denied excessive force, calling many claims unverified.