Warioba reveals Lowassa’s frustrations as Tanzanians pay tribute

Dar es Salaam. Former Prime Minister Joseph Warioba on Tuesday exposed the frustrations of the late Edward Lowassa, describing him as a patient leader who remained strong even after passing through very difficult moments.

Lowassa, who was Tanzania’s Prime Minister from 2005 to 2008 when he resigned after a select parliamentary committee implicated him in the Richmond scandal, died on Saturday at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), where he was receiving treatment.

His first presidential bid flopped in 1995 after the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi's (CCM) central committee removed his name from the list.

In 2005, he supported the nomination of Jakaya Kikwete, went ahead to win presidential elections and was subsequently appointed Lowassa Prime Minister.

Mr Warioba said his resignation in 2008 and the failure of Lowasa’s presidential bid in 1995 were two big moments that defined him as a patient and strong man.

“When I heard Lowassa complaining that the committee concluded its report without giving him a chance to respond, I promptly issued a statement expressing my disapproval if that was the case. He came to see me, and I told him that it appeared to be a political matter that compelled his resignation, given the committee's failure to hear his side,” said Mr Warioba.

Mr Warioba mentioned that Lowassa was deeply troubled by the decision of the CCM Central Committee to remove him from the list of presidential aspirants, particularly upon realising the involvement of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in that decision.

"We discussed the matter, during which I advised him to reach out to Mwalimu Mwalimu Nyerere.

Upon contacting Nyerere, we talked it over and found mutual understanding, and Lowassa remained steadfast, refusing to give up on his presidential ambitions," he said.

Mr Warioba was speaking during Lowassa's memorial service at the Karimjee grounds on February 13. The former Prime Minister will be buried on Saturday in his home village of Ngarash, in the Monduli district of the Arusha region.

The Karimjee grounds service was attended by current and former leaders, including Zanzibar President Dr Hussein  Mwinyi and Vice President Philip Mpango.

Dr Mwinyi 

Dr Mwinyi, who also spoke at the event, said he learned a lot from the late Lowassa, including patriotism, accountability, and effective cooperation.

"The best way to honour him is to continue living what he believed in building the nation," he said.

Vice President Dr Philip Mpango said Lowassa's life has left us with many lessons, including hard work in public service and even in personal life.

"We should strive to embody the positive qualities he exhibited throughout his life," he said.

But he also said that the deceased was the best at defending the rights and interests of the people of Monduli, the constituency he served for 20 years.

The VP also said Lowassa would be remembered for his commitment to education, citing his involvement in projects aimed at building county schools nationwide and his contributions to the construction of the University of Dodoma (UDOM).

"At a meeting I had the privilege to attend during his tenure as Prime Minister, when queried about the nation's top priorities, he emphatically declared, "Education, education, education," exemplifying his steadfast commitment to this cause. This resolute stance vividly illustrated his unwavering dedication and tireless work ethic," he revealed.

Sumaye

Former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye described Lowassa as a diligent worker, a source of valuable advice, and a dedicated executor of his responsibilities.

"We have so much to commemorate about him for all his years of service to this nation," he said.

Shein

The former President of Zanzibar, Ali Mohammed Shein, who worked closely with the late Lowassa for five and a half years, attested to Lowassa's professionalism and respect for others as defining traits that drew him to the leader.

"I had the privilege to glean valuable lessons from him," Shein remarked, acknowledging the significant impact Lowassa had on his own leadership journey.

Judge Jacob Mwambegele, representing the Chief Justice of Tanzania, reflected on Lowassa's life and noted that he embodied the adage "Silence is golden" through his actions. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, Lowassa remained remarkably composed and dedicated to serving the nation.

"He maintained a quiet demeanour, even amidst adversity, as he steadfastly fulfilled his duties," Judge Mwambegele remarked.