Tanzania’s entertainment industry is now at the heart of the country’s political turmoil. Violent protests erupted following a contentious general election process. The unrest has seen businesses belonging to famous artists vandalized and set alight.
The anger stems from the disqualification of Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of ACT- Wazalendo who are the key opposition candidates. This move has left President Samia Suluhu Hassan largely unchallenged in her re-election bid.
Angry protesters have targeted celebrities they accuse of aligning too closely with President Samia’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
In cities engulfed by chaos, several high-profile businesses suffered devastating attacks:
Rapper Billnas, his electronics shop was among the first properties targeted. Demonstrators accused the rapper of publicly supporting CCM.
Musician Shilole Shishi, her popular restaurant chain, Shishi Food, was first vandalised, then deliberately set on fire during the chaos.
Singer Juma Jux, the fashion entrepreneur suffered major financial losses after his boutique was burnt down by rioters.
Protesters argue that these once-beloved figures have betrayed the very citizens who made them famous by aligning with the political establishment.
The widespread violence was ignited by a decision from the country’s electoral commission. It disqualified the leading opposition presidential candidates, effectively sidelining the President’s main challengers.
Critics quickly condemned the decision as undemocratic and an attempt to stifle dissent and opposition voices.
“The disqualification of opposition candidates and the ensuing violence have left the nation unsettled.”
The outrage spilled onto the streets in several major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma. Roads were blocked, tyres were burned, and clashes with security forces quickly intensified.
The handling of the polls has drawn strong condemnation from civil society groups and election observers. They have cited serious irregularities and intimidation tactics used to suppress dissent.
On election day, the crackdown was severe as reports indicated internet blackouts across major cities, curfews were imposed, particularly in known opposition strongholds and there was a heavy military presence deployed across urban centres to suppress public demonstrations.
Police responded to the violence with tear gas and mass arrests as they sought to contain the spiralling confrontations.
The tensions have highlighted the deep political fault lines running through Tanzania’s creative industry.
While some celebrities are caught in the crossfire, others are directly involved in the political race.
Musician and social media personality Baba Levo is actively vying for an elective seat and he has received public endorsement and active campaigning support from fellow star, Diamond Platnumz.
While celebrity involvement in Tanzanian politics is not new, this election has made the consequences starkly clear. For some entertainers, aligning with the powerful has created political opportunities. For others, it has come at the devastating cost of their livelihoods.
Despite having more than 37 million registered voters, the disqualifications and subsequent violence have transformed what was expected to be a competitive election into a source of national instability.
