Opposition politician Zitto Kabwe seeks return to Tanzanian Parliament after five-year hiatus

Kigoma. Former ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe has officially picked up nomination forms as he eyes a return to Parliament, five years after losing his seat in the contentious 2020 general election.

Zitto collected the forms on Sunday, April 4, 2025, from ACT-Wazalendo’s Kigoma Urban Constituency Secretary, Mr Said Sudi, at the party’s offices in Kigoma. The event drew attendance from regional party leaders and members of the public.

The former legislator is seeking his party’s endorsement to contest the Kigoma Urban constituency in this year’s general election.

Speaking shortly after receiving the forms, Zitto said his decision to run was driven by growing concern over the region’s economic situation and widespread corruption in the municipal council.

“The state of the economy in our region is troubling. At the same time, the people of Kigoma—especially women—have consistently expressed confidence in my leadership and urged me to return to defend their interests,” he said.

Zitto also cited what he termed as entrenched corruption in the local council as a motivating factor behind his political comeback, urging residents to elect ACT-Wazalendo councillors to ensure integrity and accountability at the grassroots level.

He noted that electoral conditions in Tanzania had been a matter of concern since 2019 but insisted that citizens should not boycott the process.

“Since 2019, the electoral environment has raised serious concerns. However, I urge the people of Kigoma to face these challenges head-on. We have never won this seat easily. We have always fought hard, and we will do so again,” he said.

Some party supporters present described Zitto as a patriotic and approachable leader.

“We trust Zitto completely. He listens to people and understands their problems. He is our liberator, and we are solidly behind him,” said Ms Zuwena Omar, a resident of Kigoma.

Zitto had earlier held a public rally on Thursday, 3 April, at the Mwandiga Bus Stand in Kigoma North Constituency, where ACT-Wazalendo’s regional chairman, Mr Kiza Mayeye, collected nomination forms to contest the seat—one previously held by Zitto for a decade under Chadema between 2005 and 2015.

In Buhigwe constituency, Mr Frank Ruhasha also picked up nomination forms on an ACT-Wazalendo ticket. He received them from the local party secretary, Mr Dickson Bungwa.

The party’s nomination and submission process for councillor, MP, and presidential aspirants is expected to close on 28 May 2025.