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Here is how Special Seats hopefuls scored in Tanzania’s ruling party primaries
What you need to know:
- The votes represent a preliminary stage in the party’s selection process, with final endorsements expected to come from the Central Committee.
Dar es Salaam/Upcountry. Some incumbent special seats Members of Parliament have successfully defended their positions in Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) internal primaries conducted across various regions on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
The primaries, organised through the party’s women’s wing, popularly known in Kiswahili as Umoja wa Wanawake wa Tanzania (UWT), were held in regions including Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, Njombe, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, Simiyu, Lindi, Ruvuma, Morogoro and Tanga. The votes represent a preliminary stage in the party’s selection process, with final endorsements expected to come from the Central Committee.
In Shinyanga, Regional Commissioner Halima Dendego, who supervised the election, announced that outgoing MP Santiel Kirumba led the race with 730 votes, followed by Christina Mnzava and Salome Makamba—the current special seats MP. Ms Dendego described the election as free and fair.
In Dar es Salaam, incumbent MP Janeth Mahawanga secured the top position with 448 votes, while newcomer Amina Said followed with 421 votes. Election supervisor Idrisa Ramadhani confirmed that Jane Jerry came third with 300 votes out of the nine candidates.
Njombe saw the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Pindi Chana, emerge victorious with 700 votes. Rebecca Nsemwa came second with 588 votes. Out of 861 expected delegates, 841 voted. Other contestants included Neema Mgaya (263), Anna Mwalongo (53), Dr Scholastika Kevela (47), Tegemea Mbogela (22), Magreth Kyando (5), and Tulalumba Mloge (3).
In Kilimanjaro, outgoing MP Esther Malleko retained her lead with 1,149 votes, followed by Zuena Bushiri (964). The election, held at the Moshi Co-operative University grounds, attracted 1,329 delegates. The region's election supervisor, Tanga RC Dr Batilda Burian, also named other candidates: Regina Chonjo (145), Caroline Lyimo (109), Never Zekeya (108), Pamela Mallya (69), Marry Nashanda (19), and Aika Ngowi (12).
Iringa RC Kheri James declared Rose Tweve as the frontrunner with 594 votes, followed by Nancy Nyalusi (507). Other candidates included Fatma Rembo (326), Seki Kasuga (152), Maria Makombe (59), Tumaini Msowoya (31) and Lydia Nzema (25). Of the 852 votes cast, 851 were valid and one was spoiled.
In Simiyu, UWT National Council member Tina Chenge garnered 631 votes to lead in the special seats race. Out of 1,053 delegates, 1,034 voted, with five ballots spoiled. Other candidates included Ester Midimu (500), Caritas Machupa (312), Minza Mjika (292), Rosemary Ng’hwani (186), Limi Kilalo (60), Jane Masanja (50), and Grace Balele (34).
Simiyu RC Annamringi Macha stressed that these were opinion polls and not final results, stating: “This is a critical step in helping the party select its best representatives. These results will be submitted to relevant party levels for further evaluation.”
In Lindi, journalist Kijakazi Yunus triumphed with 942 votes, defeating veteran candidate Zainab Kawawa (492). Mtwara RC Col Patrick Sawalla confirmed the results, naming both Yunus and Kawawa as the region’s winners. In her remarks, Yunus thanked the women of Lindi and pledged inclusive development efforts.
“This is my third attempt. Let us, women and youth, never give up. This win is for all of us,” she said.
In Ruvuma (Songea), Jacquelin Msongozi led with 946 votes. Other contenders included Mariam Nyoka (755), Happiness Ngwando (444), Getrude Haule (329), Laura Hyera (58), Sabrina Mbene Lipukila (96), Sophia Gladness Kihalile (12), and Otilia Hyera (17). Out of 1,333 votes, three were spoiled.
Morogoro’s top candidate was Lucy Kombani with 1,314 votes, followed by Sheila Lukuba (597). Morogoro RC and election supervisor Adam Malima said 1,653 delegates participated. Other contestants included Josephine Kupuna (454), Jane Claude Mihanji (339), Aliyah Awadh Omar (236), Amina Ally Karuma (153), Hajira Said Mwikoko (90), Kulwa Nuhu Kangeta (75), and Rahel Mashishanga (37).
“This is an important milestone. The names will now proceed to the higher party levels for final consideration,” said Mr Malima.
Ms Kombani thanked party officials for overseeing a free and fair process and vowed to support government development efforts.
In Tanga, Husna Sekiboko and Ms Mwanaisha Ulenge emerged victorious with 1,637 and 921 votes, respectively, defending their current seats. Mwantumu Zodo came third with 772 votes.
Kilimanjaro RC Nurdin Babu supervised the election and announced that 1,904 delegates cast their votes. In their acceptance remarks, Sekiboko and Ulenge promised to continue advocating for women's issues in the region
