Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has cancelled Independence Day celebrations slated for Friday, December 9, 2022 and instructed that the budget instead be used to build dormitories for children with special needs.

The Independence Day event was to cost $445,000. That money will be used to build eight dormitories in primary schools around the country.

Being the country’s 61st anniversary since gaining independence from Britain in 1961, Tanzania’s Minister of State, George Simbachawene said debates and conferences on social development would be held in all the districts as a replacement for the annual celebrations.

“The debates and conferences will be preceded by various schedules for regional and district leaders to carry out social activities in different areas including cleaning hospitals, schools, elderly homes and groups with special needs. This year’s celebrations will not have parades and other national activities.”
Minister of State, George Simbachawene

The schools set to benefit from the funding include Buhangija in Shinyanga, Goeko (Tabora), Darajani (Singida), Mtanga (Lindi), Songambele (Manyara), Msanzi (Rukwa), Idofi (Njombe), and Longido (Arusha).

Usually, Independence Day celebrations are marked with pomp and state banquets.

Cancellation Of Independence Day Celebration Not New To Tanzania

This is not, however, the first time Tanzania has canceled independence day celebrations.

In 2015, then-President, John Magufuli, canceled celebrations and diverted funds towards the building of a road in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

In 2020, he did the same and directed that the budget be used to buy medical facilities.

The current President, Hassan, is Tanzania’s first female head of state. Currently, only Tanzania and Ethiopia have female heads of state, though the role in Ethiopia is largely ceremonial.

Previously, Hassan drew attention by ordering big-bellied policemen to lose weight to be more effective at work.

She also reversed her predecessor’s stance on contraceptives by urging Tanzanians to embrace family planning. Magufuli, the former president discouraged the use of contraceptives.