Veteran Tanzanian politician and former EAC Secretary-General, Juma Mwapachu passes away at 82

Veteran politician and long-serving member of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, has passed away at Muhimbili National Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.

News of his passing emerged on the evening of March 28, 2025, as reported by various media outlets.

Born on September 27, 1942, in Mwanza, Tanzania, Ambassador Mwapachu was a distinguished statesman who served in several key leadership roles.

Notably, he was Tanzania’s Ambassador to France before being appointed Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), succeeding Uganda’s Amanya Mushega, whose five-year term ended on March 24, 2006.

Mwapachu was appointed to this position by Tanzania’s former President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and the EAC Heads of State Summit on April 4, 2006.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Tanzania’s Honorary Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO.

A trained lawyer, Mwapachu graduated with a law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1969.

He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law, International Institutions, and Diplomacy from the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy in New Delhi, India.

In recognition of his contributions, the University of Dar es Salaam awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Literature (Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa) in 2005.

He also held honorary degrees in Literature from the University of Dar es Salaam and Political Science from the National University of Rwanda.

Throughout his career, Ambassador Juma V. Mwapachu excelled in various sectors, including law, banking, rural development, diplomacy, and private enterprise.