In Mkuranga Constituency, CCM Endorses the Incumbent MP & Minister for Livestock And Fisheries Abdallah Ulega!

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Mary Chatanda, the UWT chairperson and a member of CCM politburo, has warned all CCM members from Mkuranga constituency not to disturb the current MP Abdallah Ulega, who doubles down as the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries.

For those who doubt that CCM has ceased to be a mass party and is a vanguard, one needs to look no far: CCM’s top brass is aggressively intimidating all non-elites not to challenge them since they have blessings from the CCM national chairperson.

This article looks at the dynamics at play in the Mkuranga constituency and why potential CCM parliamentary seat contenders there are really pissed off.

This situation in Mkuranga constituency highlights several critical tensions within Tanzania’s ruling party, CCM, and reflects broader concerns about internal democracy:

Key Dynamics at Play:

1.  Elite Protectionism:

Chatanda’s warning is a clear attempt by the party elite to shield an incumbent high-ranking official (Minister Ulega) from internal competition. This signals that seniority and position grant protection within the party structure.

2.  Suppression of Grassroots Ambition:

The warning directly targets local CCM members in Mkuranga who might aspire to run for the parliamentary seat. It stifles internal democracy and discourages potential candidates who lack elite backing.

3.  Top-Down Control (“Blessings from Above“):

The claim that Ulega has “blessings from the CCM national chairperson” (President Samia Suluhu Hassan) underscores a highly centralized decision-making process. This bypasses local party organs and members, effectively pre-determining the candidate.

4.  CCM’s Identity Crisis (Mass vs. Vanguard):

This incident fuels the argument that CCM is evolving away from its historical “mass party” model (broad-based, member-driven) towards a “vanguard party” model (elite-driven, hierarchical). The leadership’s actions prioritize elite stability over open competition and member participation.

5.  Intimidation & Fear:

Chatanda’s warning serves as an implicit threat. Potential challengers understand that going against the endorsed incumbent risks severe consequences within the party hierarchy, including loss of patronage, sidelining, or even expulsion.

6.  Incumbent Advantage on Steroids:

While incumbents often have advantages, the active intervention by the national party brass to *prevent* any challenge significantly amplifies this advantage, making a fair contest impossible.

Why Potential Contenders Are Angry:

1.  Denied Opportunity:

Ambitious local CCM members feel their legitimate political aspirations are being crushed before they even start. They are effectively barred from contesting for their party’s nomination.

2.  Lack of Fair Play:

 The perception is that the nomination is being decided in Dodoma, not Mkuranga. This violates the principle of local party organs having a say in selecting their candidate and undermines any notion of a level playing field.

3.  Disenfranchisement:

 Local members feel their voices and choices within their own party are irrelevant. Their role is reduced to rubber-stamping decisions made by the national elite.

4.  Hypocrisy:

CCM officially promotes internal democracy and competitive primaries. This top-down imposition exposes a gap between rhetoric and reality, breeding cynicism and resentment.

5.  Perception of Arrogance:

The elite’s actions convey a message that local members and potential contenders are merely obstacles to be managed, not valued stakeholders whose ambition should be channeled through fair processes.

6.  Fear of Stagnation:

 Some members may genuinely believe that Ulega is not the best representative for the constituency or that fresh blood is needed. The forced endorsement prevents any debate or opportunity for change.

Broader Implications:

*   Erosion of Internal Democracy:

Such incidents weaken CCM’s internal democratic structures and processes, concentrating power at the top.

*   Demotivation of Grassroots:

Suppressing ambition demoralizes the party base and reduces local engagement and ownership.

*   Reduced Accountability:

 Incumbents shielded from internal challenge may feel less accountable to their local constituents and more focused on pleasing the party elite who protect them.

*   **Public Perception:**

 This reinforces public perception of CCM as an elitist, top-down organization where connections matter more than merit or local support.

*   Long-term Stability:

While intended to prevent messy primaries, this approach risks storing up resentment that could boil over in the future or lead to apathy and reduced mobilization efforts.

“In essence, the Mkuranga situation is a microcosm of the struggle within CCM between its historical mass-based identity and a perceived shift towards elite consolidation and vanguard-style control. The anger stems from the blatant denial of opportunity and the suppression of local voices in favor of directives from the national leadership, confirming fears that the party prioritizes protecting its powerful incumbents over fostering internal competition and grassroots participation.”

What are key issues determining the electorate mood in Mkuranga?

The electorate mood in Mkuranga constituency is shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and institutional factors, reflecting broader tensions within Tanzania’s ruling CCM party and democratic landscape. Key issues include:

⚖️ 1. Elite Protectionism and Intimidationm

   – Suppression of Internal Democracy:

Mary Chatanda’s public warning against challenging incumbent MP Abdallah Ulega (also Minister of Livestock and Fisheries) exemplifies top-down enforcement of elite interests. This intimidation stifles grassroots political ambition, signaling that seniority and connections outweigh merit in CCM candidacy processes. 

   – Centralized Endorsements:

 Ulega’s perceived “blessings” from CCM national chairperson President Samia Suluhu Hassan undermine local party organs’ autonomy, fueling resentment among potential contenders.

🗳️ 2. Erosion of Internal Party Democracy.

   – Vanguard Party Dynamics:

 CCM’s shift from a mass-based to elite-dominated “vanguard” model is evident in Mkuranga. Historical party traditions (e.g., unchallenged incumbency) are weaponized to sideline non-elites, contradicting CCM’s founding principles.

   – Factional Resentment:

The exclusion of local aspirants mirrors nationwide CCM practices where defectors from opposition parties receive preferential treatment, breeding distrust among long-standing members. Past primaries saw such candidates rejected with slogans like “CCM is pure green“.

💰 3. Economic Dependency and Patronage. 

   – Ministerial Influence:

As Minister, Ulega controls resources critical to Mkuranga’s agrarian economy (e.g., fisheries subsidies, livestock programs). Voters and party members may fear opposing him could jeopardize development funds or projects.

   – Rural Voting Patterns:

CCM’s support base relies heavily on rural voters who prioritize stability and patronage over political reform. Disrupting Ulega’s position is perceived as risking economic fallout.

🔒 4. Suppression of Opposition and Civil Liberties. 

   – National Crackdown Context:

CHADEMA’s disqualification from the 2025 elections and Tundu Lissu’s treason charges create a climate of fear. Mkuranga aspirants recognize that challenging CCM elites invites legal or extralegal retaliation.

   – Digital Repression:

Government blocking of social media (e.g., X/Twitter in May 2025) and removal of 80,000 websites restrict platforms for mobilizing dissent, silencing potential critics in Mkuranga.

🌍 5. Broader Democratic Backsliding. 

   – Historical Parallels:

Under Magufuli (2015–2021), CCM intensified authoritarian tactics (e.g., banning rallies, attacking journalists). President Samia’s initial reforms have reversed, with renewed repression aligning with Mkuranga’s dynamics.

   – Institutional Imbalance:

The electoral commission’s lack of independence and biased disqualification of opposition candidates (e.g., 95% of CHADEMA aspirants in 2020) validate claims that elections are “rigged“

📊 Table: CCM’s Consolidation of Power and Impact on Mkuranga.

💎 Conclusion.

Mkuranga’s electorate mood is dominated by “frustration over stifled representation” and “fear of reprisals”, amplified by CCM’s authoritarian pivot. Economic ties to Ulega’s ministry create reluctant compliance, while national repression discourages mobilization.

This constituency exemplifies CCM’s broader crisis: a liberation party now alienating its base through elite consolidation. The October 2025 elections—likely reinforcing CCM dominance—will test whether voter apathy or covert dissent emerges in response.

Why did Mary Chatanda overturned Samia’s quest for neutrality?

Mary Chatanda’s overturning of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s pledge of neutrality during CCM primaries reflects complex internal party dynamics, with several key factors driving this shift:

⚖️ 1. Institutional Pressures to Maintain Party Unity.

   Chatanda, as UWT Chairperson, prioritized CCM’s unified front ahead of the 2025 elections. Samia’s initial neutrality pledge risked factional infighting, potentially weakening the party.

By endorsing Samia’s uncontested nomination, Chatanda aligned with party elites (including former President Kikwete) who argued that avoiding competitive primaries would “give the party sufficient time to prepare” for elections. This move signaled loyalty to the party’s centralized decision-making tradition over democratic processes.

♀️ 2. Strategic Advancement of Women’s Leadership. 

   As a women’s rights advocate, Chatanda viewed Samia’s unchallenged nomination as essential for preserving female representation at the highest level. She had previously praised Samia for “appointing women to arrive at 50-50 gender parity” and pushed for laws to guarantee women’s political quotas. Blocking a competitive primary shielded Samia from internal challenges that might exploit gender biases within the patriarchal CCM structure.

🏛️ 3. Constitutional Manipulation to Protect Incumbency.

   The nomination violated CCM’s constitution, which required candidates to collect signatures from members in 10+ constituencies and undergo vetting . Chatanda supported bypassing these rules because: 

   – Samia’s incumbency offered stability but made her v

ulnerable to procedural challenges. 

   – Opposition figures like Tundu Lissu were already weaponizing legal technicalities to disqualify CCM candidates.

   Eliminating primaries preempted potential legal battles over Samia’s eligibility.

🤝 4. Alignment with Hardline Party Factions.

   After Samia’s early reform efforts stalled, Chatanda likely aligned with CCM conservatives who opposed concessions.

This faction: 

   – Resisted Samia’s initial outreach to opposition groups like CHADEMA.

   – Pressured her to revert to Magufuli-era tactics, including arresting opposition leaders.

   Chatanda’s move reinforced the hardliners’ preference for top-down control over participatory democracy.

⏱️ 5. Electoral Expediency Amid Declining Reform Momentum.

   With Samia’s “Four Rs” (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, Rebuilding) losing traction by 2025, Chatanda prioritized electoral efficiency over principles. Neutrality in primaries required time-consuming processes like debate schedules and vetting committees – resources CCM lacked after CHADEMA’s “No Reforms, No Elections” campaign disrupted preparations.  Fast-tracking nominations aimed to consolidate resources for the general election.

💎 Conclusion.

Chatanda’s reversal stemmed from institutional loyalty, gender advocacy, and realpolitik – sacrificing internal democracy to protect Samia’s incumbency against party fragmentation and opposition threats. This highlights CCM’s enduring reliance on centralized control, even at the cost of constitutional integrity . The incident underscores how women leaders within patriarchal systems may enforce authoritarian norms to retain hard-won positions.

Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory