Tough questions snaking into Speaker of the House Dr. Tulia Ackson decision to seek parliamentary seat of Uyole rather than Mbeya Urban where she had represented in the last five years or so. Why shifting her allegiance to Uyole at the expense of the more prestigious Mbeya Urban Constituency?
She has given her own reasons that Uyole is too backward and demands her close attention to take it to the next level but she didn’t defend why she didn’t speed up the wheel of development while Uyole newly constituted Constituency was parsed out of Mbeya Urban Constituency. Some lambasted the division of the Mbeya Urban Constituency into two as a gerrymandering stratagem to help the Speaker of the House sail back to Parliament unhindered.
This article looks at the challenges and opportunities at Uyole Constitution, and whoever wins it will have to confront what kinds of challenges and opportunities.
Using the below words, Dr. Tulia Ackson declared she was angling to gun down the Uyole constituency and was quick to offer her explanations. Below is the reproduction of her own justifications:
“Maendeleo ya Uyole yanasonga kwa taratibu sana, nimeona ni vyema nijitoe kwa moyo wote kuhakikisha wananchi wa Uyole wanapata huduma stahiki na maendeleo ya haraka. Nitoe wito kwenu, watu wengi watakuja kwenu, chagueni kiongozi, chagueni mtumishi, itasaidia sana kuendelea kuyakimbiza maendeleo ya jamii,” said Dkt. Tulia.
Biography of Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly.
Born: November 23, 1976, in Mbeya Region, Tanzania .
Early Life and Education.
Primary Education:
Attended Mabonde Primary School (1984–1990).
Secondary Education:
Loleza Girls Secondary School (1991–1994) and Zanaki Girls Secondary School (1995–1997) for A-Levels.
Higher Education:
LL.B (1998–2001) and LL.M (2001–2003) from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Ph.D. in Law from the University of Cape Town (2005–2007).
Academic and Professional Career.
Lecturer and Dean:
Taught law at the University of Dar es Salaam (2004–2015), rising to Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean of the School of Law.
Legal Expertise:
Specialized in social security, labor law, wildlife management, and commercial law.
Consultancy Work:
Collaborated with international organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Political Career.
Entry into Politics:
Appointed to Tanzania’s Constituent Assembly in 2014, representing higher education institutions.
Parliamentary Roles:
MP for Mbeya Urban: Elected in 2020.
Deputy Speaker (2015–2022) and Speaker of the National Assembly (2022–present).
Key Actions:
Advocated for parliamentary discipline, including enforcing Standing Orders during debates.
Global Leadership:
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
IPU Presidency:
Elected in October 2023 as the first African woman to hold this role.
Priorities:
Promoting gender equality (targeting >26.4% women in parliaments), youth participation, climate action, and conflict resolution.
Diplomatic Efforts:
Engaged in Middle East peace dialogues and praised Qatar’s mediation roles.
Advocacy and Philanthropy.
Tulia Trust:
Founded in 2015 to empower vulnerable groups, focusing on education, maternal health, and economic opportunities.
Gender and Development:
Championed clean energy initiatives in Uyole, aligning with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s agenda.
Legacy and Recognition.
Trailblazer:
The second woman to serve as Tanzania’s Speaker (after Anne Makinda) and the first African woman IPU President.
Quotable Vision:
“Live now the kind of life you want to experience in the future” – emphasizing leadership and preparation.
Tanzania’s House Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, is reportedly shifting her parliamentary focus from Mbeya Urban Constituency to Uyole (likely part of Mbeya City) for the 2025 elections. This strategic move can be attributed to several factors:
1. Electoral Challenges in Mbeya Urban Constituency.
Mbeya Urban has historically been a contested area, with strong opposition influence from Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party. The constituency is described as a “Chadema stronghold,” where dissatisfaction with the ruling CCM party (to which Ackson belongs) is high, particularly among youth frustrated with economic stagnation and perceived governance failures.
In the 2020 elections, Ackson narrowly retained her seat amid allegations of irregularities, and the 2025 race is expected to be even tougher, with opposition candidates like Mr Sugu (a former MP) and Mr Boniface Mwabukusi (a legal activist) posing significant threats. Losing this seat would weaken her political standing despite her role as Speaker.
2. Gerrymandering and Constituency Redistribution.
CCM had previously considered dividing Mbeya Town into smaller constituencies to dilute opposition strongholds. While this plan was temporarily shelved, there are indications that Uyole —a ward within Mbeya City—might now be part of a redistricted area. By contesting Uyole, Ackson could leverage CCM’s organizational strength in a newly carved constituency perceived as more favourable to her party. This aligns with her recent public engagements in Uyole, such as promoting clean energy initiatives, which may signal groundwork for voter mobilization.
3. Strategic Avoidance of High-Risk Political Battles.
Retaining Mbeya Urban would require Ackson to navigate a fractured opposition. However, Chadema’s internal conflicts (e.g., disputes over candidate nominations) and potential vote-splitting between opposition factions could inadvertently benefit her. Conversely, shifting to Uyole allows her to sidestep this volatility and focus on consolidating support in a less contentious area.
4. Local Development and Visibility.
Ackson has actively engaged with Uyole’s community, including advocating for clean cooking energy and partnering with organizations like Oryx Gas Company to distribute gas stoves. These initiatives align with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s national agenda and enhance Ackson’s visibility as a development-oriented leader in Uyole. Such localized efforts may resonate more effectively with voters compared to broader, politically charged debates in Mbeya Urban.
5. Institutional Stability and Speaker Role.
While Ackson does not need a parliamentary seat to retain her position as Speaker, losing Mbeya Urban would undermine her political influence. By contesting Uyole, she balances her national responsibilities with a safer path to maintaining parliamentary representation, ensuring continuity in her leadership roles, including her presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Notable Observations. .l
Ackson’s pivot to Uyole reflects a calculated political strategy to mitigate electoral risks, capitalize on redistricting opportunities, and align with localized development agendas. This move underscores the dynamic interplay between Tanzania’s party politics, voter sentiment, and institutional leadership dynamics.
The winner of the Uyole constituency Tanzania’s Mbeya Urban region will face a complex array of economic and social challenges rooted in national and local dynamics. Based on the search results, here’s a detailed breakdown:
Economic Challenges.
1. High Unemployment and Underemployment.
Tanzania’s youth unemployment rate remains critical, with 700,000 new job-seekers entering the labour market annually, but only a fraction securing stable employment. In urban areas like Uyole, informal service sectors dominate, offering low-productivity jobs where many earn below the poverty line ($0.96/day).
The winner must address job creation, particularly for youth, while balancing migration from rural areas seeking opportunities.
2. Cost of Living and Inflation.
-Rising food and fuel prices, coupled with stagnant wages, disproportionately affect informal traders and small-scale farmers. This is exacerbated by Tanzania’s high population growth (3% annually), straining resources.
3. Agricultural Productivity Gaps.
While Uyole is urban, its economy may still rely on peri-urban agriculture. Nationally, agricultural growth lags at 4%, failing to keep pace with population growth. Farmers face challenges like insecure land tenure and limited access to markets or technology.
4. Infrastructure Deficits.
Despite investments in infrastructure under past leaders like Magufuli, rural-urban disparities persist. Poor transportation, unreliable electricity, and inadequate water/sanitation services hinder economic activities.
5. Debt and Fiscal Constraints.
Tanzania’s public debt rose from 28% to 40% of GDP in recent years, limiting funds for local projects. Balancing debt management with constituent demands for subsidies and services will be critical.
Social Challenges.
1. Healthcare Access and Disease Burden.
HIV prevalence in Tanzania is 4.4% nationally, with urban areas like Mbeya experiencing higher rates. Programs like the Social Network Strategy (SNS) in Mbeya’s hospitals have improved testing, but stigma and resource gaps persist.
Maternal mortality and inadequate rural healthcare infrastructure further strain the system .
2. Education Quality and Access.
Despite near-universal primary enrollment, secondary education faces quality issues: 60% of students failed exams in 2012. Teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms are systemic problems.
3. Gender Inequality.
Rural women face limited access to education and healthcare, while urban areas like Uyole may see gender disparities in employment. The legacy of patriarchal norms, as seen in Ujamaa-era policies, persists.
4. Urban Migration and Housing Pressures.
Dar es Salaam’s rapid growth mirrors challenges in Uyole: overcrowding, informal settlements, and strained public services. Managing rural-urban migration while ensuring affordable housing will be key.
5. Political Fragmentation and Public Trust.
The creation of Uyole as a new constituency has sparked concerns about gerrymandering and administrative inefficiency. The winner must navigate voter disillusionment, especially after controversial electoral reforms and repression under Magufuli.
Cross-Cutting Issues
Corruption and Bureaucracy:
Systemic corruption in public contracts and procurement undermines service delivery. Past efforts to curb it, like Magufuli’s austerity measures, had mixed results.
Climate Vulnerability:
While not explicitly mentioned in Uyole, Tanzania’s reliance on agriculture makes it susceptible to climate shocks, affecting food security .
Strategic Recommendations for the Winner.
1. Leverage Public-Private Partnerships to boost job creation in sectors like tech and manufacturing.
2. Advocate for Transparent Resource Allocation to address infrastructure gaps and reduce corruption.
3. Expand Social Safety Nets, including targeted subsidies for vulnerable groups and youth employment programs.
4. Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships with NGOs to sustain HIV/AIDS initiatives and maternal care.
5. Promote Education Reforms, focusing on vocational training and teacher recruitment.
The winner’s success will depend on balancing immediate constituent needs with long-term structural reforms, all while navigating Tanzania’s shifting political landscape under President Samia Hassan’s reforms.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
