Tanzania Redirects Independence Day Funds to Repair Damage from Deadly Protests

Tanzania will not hold Independence Day celebrations on December 9, 2025. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has cancelled the event. She has ordered all funds to be used to repair public property destroyed during the October 29 unrest. The decision signals a shift from celebration to rebuilding.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba released the statement. He said the government toured the damaged areas. He said the destruction shocked them. He reminded citizens that public property belongs to everyone. He stressed that it is built using taxpayers’ money.

He urged Tanzanians to value what they fund. He warned that the losses hurt citizens directly.Nchemba also accused external actors of fueling the chaos. He said those encouraging destruction do not live in Tanzania.

He added that they would never dare burn property where they come from. He warned citizens not to listen to them. He said they pretend to care but benefit when Tanzania suffers. He asked the public to reject such influence.

The government will now redirect energy to reconstruction. Teams will repair damaged roads, buildings and other facilities. Officials believe this will help the country recover faster. They hope the move will remind citizens of the cost of violence. The administration says rebuilding is the strongest show of patriotism this year.