Tanzanian priest known for bold criticism of state attacked in Dar es Salaam

Tensions are running high in Tanzania following the violent assault of Catholic priest Charles Kitima, a well-known critic of the government, just months before the country heads to the polls in October.

Fr Kitima was attacked at night by two individuals in a canteen restroom near his home in Dar es Salaam after attending a full-day church meeting.

He was hit on the head with a blunt object and rushed to hospital, where he remains in stable condition, according to police.

Eyewitnesses said he had been seen speaking with several people before the incident.

Moments later, individuals were seen fleeing the scene, and Fr Kitima was discovered bleeding and calling out for help.

Police have arrested one suspect and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the motive and identify others who may have been involved.

The assault has triggered strong condemnation from religious leaders, lawyers, rights activists, and opposition politicians. Fr Kitima, who serves as secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), has been at the forefront of calling for reforms and accountability in the country.

Boniface Mwabukusi, the president of the Tanganyika Law Society, visited the priest in hospital and described the assault as "a brutal attack with the intent to take his life."

Mwabukusi also shared a message from Fr Kitima on X, in which the priest encouraged citizens not to fear standing up for justice and fulfilling their responsibilities.

"We should not be afraid to pay the price for standing up for justice and fulfilling our duties to the country," he said.

The attack comes at a time when political pressure is building in Tanzania, with civic groups warning about restrictions on freedoms and rising threats against critics.

Calls for electoral reforms have intensified in recent weeks, especially after the Catholic Church urged the government to respond to demands for transparency ahead of the elections.

Faith leaders, particularly from Christian denominations which account for about 60% of the population, have grown increasingly vocal on matters of governance and fairness.

However, some ruling party officials have expressed discomfort with the involvement of church leaders in political matters.

Fr Kitima’s outspokenness has earned him admiration among pro-democracy campaigners but also placed him at odds with sections of the political elite.

His attack has sent shockwaves through the church and civil society, where such violence against clergy is rare.

Opposition leaders, including Chadema party vice-chairman John Heche, reacted with concern, calling the incident bad "news for the country."

The Legal and Human Rights Centre also denounced the assault, calling it a “heinous attack” that tarnished the nation’s image.

The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has yet to issue an official statement from the government, but its vice-chairperson Stephen Wasira sent a message of sympathy to the injured priest and condemned the violence.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, while not commenting directly on the assault, recently reminded the opposition that "no-one is above the law".

She cautioned that elections should not become a source of conflict and pledged that authorities would ensure the polls are peaceful and fair.

Concerns have been growing over a wave of incidents targeting government critics.

Several opposition leaders, including Chadema’s Tundu Lissu, have been arrested and charged. But violent attacks on church figures have remained rare, making Fr Kitima’s case especially alarming.