Thousands pay last respects to Mara RC

Musoma. Mama Maria Nyerere yesterday led thousands of mourners from Mara and neighbouring regions to pay their last respects to the body of Mara Regional  Commissioner John Tuppa.

Mourners, who included government officials, thronged  the regional commissioner’s official residence to pay their last respects before the body was taken to the Roman Catholic Church in Musoma for a funeral mass. Conducting the mass,  the Bishop of  Musoma  Diocese, Michael Msongazila, said the late Tuppa devoted his time to uniting different groups such as politicians and religious leaders in Mara Region.

He added that Mr Tuppa also went out his way to address the thorny issue of insecurity in some parts of the region.

Mr Tuppa, 64, died at Tarime District Hospital as he was undergoing treatment after suddenly falling ill. He was in Tarime District on official duty and was scheduled to close training for People’s Militia (Mgambo) recruits in Nyamwaga Village later on Tuesday.

Mr Tuppa was at the district commissioner’s office, where he fell ill as he was about to get a briefing from the Tarime DC, Mr John Henjewele. He was rushed to the district hospital where he died as he was receiving treatment.

The doctor who treated Mr Tuppa said he died after suffering a “massive” stroke.

The late  Tuppa will be buried in his home village in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region,  tomorrow. His body is today scheduled to make a stopover in Dodoma, where he worked as district commissioner before he was posted to Mara as RC.