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White smoke for Ikomba as he defeats his boss Ulaya in Tanzania Teachers’ Union elections
Members of the Tanzania Teachers’ Union (CWT) celebrate with Suleiman Ikomba after he was announced as the new president.
What you need to know:
- The contest between the two had drawn intense interest among teachers nationwide, with fierce campaigning echoed in the streets and within the heavily guarded Jakaya Kikwete Hall, which hosted the three-day event.
Dodoma. The suspense surrounding the Tanzania Teachers’ Union, commonly known by its Kiswahili abbreviation as CWT, presidential race has ended after Suleiman Mathew Ikomba emerged victorious, defeating the incumbent, Leah Ulaya, in a closely watched election.
The contest between the two had drawn intense interest among teachers nationwide, with fierce campaigning echoed in the streets and within the heavily guarded Jakaya Kikwete Hall, which hosted the three-day event.
Ikomba garnered 608 votes against Ulaya’s 260, with one vote declared invalid. Out of the 914 delegates who reported for the elections, 868 cast their votes.
Ikomba, who previously served as CWT’s Vice President, will, however, serve only a two-year term before the union is compelled to hold fresh elections. According to the union's constitution, leaders must be active contributors deducting 2 percent from their salaries.
Ikomba is due to retire from public service at age 60 and, at 58, will be ineligible to continue in office beyond 2027.
Announcing the results, the election committee chairperson, Halima Liveta, declared:
“Comrade Leah Ulaya has received 260 votes, and comrade Suleiman Ikomba has received 608 votes. I therefore declare Ikomba as the duly elected President of our union.”
Ikomba takes over from Ulaya, under whom he served after replacing Dinna Mathamani. Mathamani had faced internal disputes but was later appointed as District Commissioner for Uvinza in Kigoma Region.
In his victory speech, Ikomba appealed for unity and the end of election-related factions.
“First, let us thank God that we’ve concluded the election peacefully. I now urge all members to bring an end to the divisions that emerged during the campaign. Let us come together to build a stronger, united CWT,” he said.
Outgoing President Ulaya, while conceding defeat, expressed gratitude to the union’s delegates for their support during her tenure. She left three parting messages: a call for continued unity, a demand for introspection on why teachers are increasingly abandoning CWT for new unions, and an appeal for love and harmony among leaders.
Aliyekuwa Rais wa Chama cha Walimu Tanzania (CWT), Leah Ulaya akizungumza na wanachama baada uchaguzi wa chama hicho kumalizika katika Ukumbi wa Mikutano wa Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, jijini Dodoma.
In the same election, Joseph Misalaba was elected Secretary General, defeating Jeston Benjamin, Abihudi Bukuku, and Simon Keha. Misalaba had been acting in the position, having succeeded Maganga, who himself had taken over after former Secretary General Deus Seif was suspended over allegations of misuse of office.
