Ambassador Ruhinda dies of diabetes

Dar es Salaam. Ambassador Ferdinand Ruhinda (86) has passed away at his Masaki home in Dar es Salaam due to diabetes.

The news of his death was confirmed by his younger brother, Edward Ruhinda, who stated that his elder brother had been ill for a long time and was receiving treatment from doctors at home until he passed away the night before last.

"It is true he passed away due to diabetes. He passed away here at his home under the care of his doctor," said Edward when speaking to The Citizen yesterday.

Edward explained that the family was making preparations for the funeral expected to take place in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

Ambassador Ruhinda, one of the founders of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), was born in Karagwe, Kagera Region, in 1938, and is survived by three children, as his wife had previously passed away.

During his lifetime, Ambassador Ruhinda held various positions. He served as Tanzania's Ambassador to Canada (1983-1988) and China (1989–1992). He was also a prominent editor in the country's media.

Ambassador Ruhinda once served as the managing editor for the CCM Party’s Uhuru and Mzalendo newspapers, as well as the government-owned Daily News/Sunday News and Habari Leo at different times.

Memories of him

Reacting to Ambassador Ruhinda's death, the first Executive Editor of Mwananchi, Theophil Makunga, expressed shock at the passing of the editor and diplomat who had been ill for a long time.

"Truly, I am shocked. I have worked closely with him for about four to five years, communicating daily. Today, I received news of his death, it's a huge shock for me," said Makunga.

Recalling his acquaintance with Ambassador Ruhinda, Makunga said he first met him while working at Business Times Ltd, where Ruhinda was a consulting editor.

In 1999, during the inception of the Mwananchi newspaper, once owned by Rostam Aziz and Ruhinda, Makunga was tasked by Rostam to draft a proposal for the new newspaper.

"After drafting the proposal, I went to deliver it to Ruhinda's home. At that time, I didn't know the company was co-owned by two people.

"Upon delivering my proposal, Rostam asked me to find an editor to run the new newspaper. During our discussions, Edward Lowassa (late) arrived. Rostam told him about our conversation and his intention of finding an editor," said Makunga.

He added that Lowassa advised Rostam against replacing the person who had drafted the proposal, suggesting Makunga himself as a suitable person.

Rostam agreed with Lowassa's suggestion and instructed Makunga to introduce himself to their partner, Ambassador Ruhinda.

"So, we went to his office, which was then located at the old Tanesco offices. I wondered if this was Ruhinda's office. Luckily, when we arrived, Ruhinda came out and said to Rostam, 'You've taken Makunga, that's great, I worked with him at Majira'," Makunga recounted.

From then on, Makunga officially began working at Mwananchi, where he interacted frequently with Ruhinda due to his understanding of journalism and thus was tasked with overseeing daily operations.

The first issue of the Mwananchi newspaper was published on April 27, 2000, with Rostam and Ruhinda covering all costs for the first three months, after which it became self-sustaining until Nation Media Group (NMG) acquired shares four years later.

"Therefore, Ruhinda played a significant role in the success of the Mwananchi Company," Makunga affirmed.

MCL Managing Director Bakari Machumu stated that the foundation of the current Mwananchi Communications Ltd was built on the vision of its founders, Rostam and Ruhinda before it was acquired by NMG.

"The Mwananchi community, board of directors, leaders, and all employees are deeply saddened by this loss because without him and his partner, perhaps NMG would not have seen the importance of investing in our company.

"We might not have had the opportunity to work with the public and be in the positions we are in today, for those who are here now and those who have passed through Mwananchi over the past 20-plus years," Machumu said.

The MD added that although he didn't work closely with Ambassador Ruhinda, he heard of his respected reputation while working at Business Times Ltd.

He learned more about him after joining MCL, especially when working closely with Makunga, who was then the editor of Mwananchi and the Managing Editor of MCL.

Government Service

In the early 1980s, Ruhinda joined the diplomatic service as the Director of Information and Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Later, he served at the Tanzanian Embassy in Sweden before becoming the Ambassador to Canada and later to China, before retiring from public service.