Tanzania bids farewell to Ambassador Juma Mwapachu honouring his legacy

Dar es Salaam. Ambassador Juma Mwapachu (82), who passed away on the evening of March 28, 2025, at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, where he had been undergoing treatment, has left behind a lasting legacy.

Breaking his death, the family spokesperson, Mr Hamza Mwapachu, said Ambassador Mwapachu had been battling cancer since 2016.

He revealed that after seeking treatment in South Africa, the deceased returned to good health until he suddenly fell ill on March 28, 2025, experiencing breathing problems that led to his hospitalisation.

Despite medical attention, he passed away that evening.

Regarding burial arrangements, Hamza said Ambassador Mwapachu will be laid to rest today at Pande Village in Tanga Region at 1 pm: "We are currently traveling to Tanga for the burial."

The legacy he left behind

Mourning Ambassador Mwapachu, Bumbuli Member of Parliament January Makamba, shared his condolences on the social media platform X, stating:

“Ambassador Juma Mwapachu was simply a good man who lent his hand to the needy and his mind to the curious; he was good company, with an easy and infectious—and rather loud—laughter; he was a confident man, born of his intellect, exposure, and deeply held convictions.

He was old-school but engaged with and mastered modern times and ways with ease and grace. He was unapologetic and unpretentious in the way he lived his life and voiced his opinions. A proud Swahili man, he was a master of the language and a devoted advocate of civility,” reads part of the message.

“He represented the best of Tanzania and a rarity among civil servants: well-groomed, well-read, well-travelled, well-grounded, and well-spoken. He was a reluctant public intellectual. He lived a fulfilled life worthy of celebration. He has left a mark, the most indelible one, in the hearts of the people he touched and the minds of the people he taught. Today, he took a step on the journey that we will all inevitably embark on. May his soul rest in eternal peace. My deepest condolences to his family,” reads another part.

Ambassador Ami Mpungwe also expressed his condolences on X: “A great loss of my brother, friend, mentor, family member, and colleague in diplomatic service and various public and private boards. At any time, your departure would have been too soon! Rest in peace, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, fondly known as Kaka Juma or JV.”

Chadema’s tribute to Ambassador Mwapachu

The opposition party Chadema will remember Ambassador Mwapachu for his courage, especially during the political reforms of the 2015 General Election.

During this period, the deceased made the historic decision to defect to the opposition, the Civic United Front (CUF) in the Opposition coalition Ukawa from CCM, before rejoining CCM in 2016, just five months after his departure.

Chadema praised Mwapachu for standing with Tanzanians seeking change and highlighted his significant contributions, especially his role as the East African Community (EAC) secretary-general.

The party’s statement says: "On behalf of our leaders, members, supporters, and friends of Chadema, we send our sincere condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of Ambassador Juma Mwapachu during this difficult time of mourning."

Mwapachu’s biography

Born on September 27, 1942, in Mwanza, Tanzania, Ambassador Mwapachu was a renowned politician and the former Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), a position he took over from Uganda’s Amanya Mushega in 2006.

Nominated by President Jakaya Kikwete, Ambassador Mwapachu was elected by the summit of EAC Heads of State on April 4, 2006.

Before his appointment, he served as Tanzania’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

Mwapachu held a Bachelor's Degree in Law from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in 1969, a Master’s in International Law from the Indian College of International Law and Diplomacy, and received Honorary Doctorates in Literature from UDSM and in Political Science from the National University of Rwanda.

A trained lawyer, Mwapachu’s career spanned banking, rural development, diplomacy, and the private sector.

Before becoming the EAC Secretary-General, he worked with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Administration in the 1970s and served as Tanzania’s Ambassador to France from 2002 to 2006.

Ambassador Mwapachu also served as the board chairman for the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the Tanzania Investment Bank (TIB), and several other public institutions.

He served as the Presidential Commission for Public Service Reform (PSRC) Commissioner, the Chairperson of the Confederation of Tanzanian Industries (CTI), and the East African Business Council.

He also held positions as Vice-Chairperson of the External Trade Board and member of the Governing Council of the University of Dar es Salaam.

Mwapachu was involved in the drafting of Tanzania's Vision 2005-2025 and contributed to various commissions formed by the President.