Ugandan, Namibian judges vow to deliver on Tanzania election violence probe

Dar es Salaam. Foreign judges appointed to Tanzania’s Commission of Inquiry into violence and alleged breaches of the law during and after the October 2025 General Election have pledged to use their judicial and regional experience to help establish what happened and ensure the investigation is conducted independently.

Namibia’s Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Tileinge Damaseb and Uganda’s Court of Appeal Judge Barishaki Bonny Cheborion are among the six commissioners appointed to investigate those who planned, financed, coordinated or participated in the violence, as well as allegations of excessive use of force, deaths, injuries and disappearances.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Monday, August 24, 2026, Justice Damaseb said his appointment reflected the seriousness of Tanzania’s efforts to establish the facts surrounding the violence.

He said he hoped his experience, particularly in judicial independence, would contribute to the commission’s work.

“I hope that the small contribution that I will make in service of this commission strengthens that, most importantly, independence,” he said.

Justice Damaseb said his appointment followed a request to Namibia’s Chief Justice and consideration of the experience required for the assignment.

Justice Cheborion also pledged to use his abilities to help the commission complete its work.

“We are here to ensure that we use our abilities to the best of our capacity, as God blesses us, so that we can conclude this matter safely and in the spirit of good neighbourliness,” he said.

He cited the historical ties between Tanzania and Uganda, recalling Tanzania’s support to Uganda during the rule of former President Idi Amin.

“Tanzania helped us during the time of Idi Amin Dada, and we have maintained good cooperation up to now. It is now time for us to contribute as well,” he said.

Justice Cheborion, who also serves as an appellate judge at the East African Court of Justice, brings regional judicial experience to the inquiry.

Their appointment has, however, attracted criticism in Namibia, where opposition parties Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) have questioned Justice Damaseb’s participation.

AR has urged him to reject the appointment, arguing that the involvement of a serving senior judge in a foreign inquiry could raise questions about Namibia’s judicial independence. The party has also asked Namibia’s Judicial Service Commission to explain the legal and ethical basis for his participation.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has defended the decision to include foreign judges, saying their involvement was intended to bring a broader perspective to the inquiry.

“We decided to involve our colleagues from Namibia and Uganda to get a broader perspective,” President Samia said when launching the commission at State House in Dar es Salaam on August 7.

The six-member commission is chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Shaban Ally Lila and has 150 days to complete its work.

It was established following recommendations by a previous commission led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, which investigated violence surrounding the 2025 election.

That commission reported that 518 people died and thousands were injured in the violence.