A Tanzanian university lecturer, arrested earlier this month on suspicion of inciting anti‑government protests, has now been formally charged with terrorism.
Melkisedek Kaijage, a faculty member at the University of Dodoma, appeared before a magistrate to seek bail after being held for 15 days while the charges against him were amended.
He was one of more than 130 individuals detained for organizing protests demanding democratic reforms and justice for victims of a post‑election crackdown the previous year; the July 7 demonstrations were officially prohibited and never occurred.
The academic will remain in custody pending trial, as terrorism charges are typically not bailable.
Kaijage, who teaches political science and public administration, was not required to plead at Thursday’s hearing because his terrorism case falls under the jurisdiction of a higher court.
He was taken into custody a day after the planned nationwide protests and was originally charged with inciting participation in them.
Authorities deployed security forces throughout major cities on July 7 and warned that anyone accused of inciting unrest would be acted upon.
Prosecutors allege that Kaijage threatened to set fire to public buildings as a means of intimidation.
Under Tanzanian law, offenses including recruiting for, facilitating, harboring, or supporting terrorists or terrorist groups carry severe penalties, with convictions resulting in prison terms from ten years to life imprisonment.
Gerald Shija, chairman of the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association (Udomasa), said Kaijage had been moved from police custody to Isanga Prison in Dodoma, the capital.
Colleagues describe him as a respected lecturer whose popularity arises from his teaching rather than political activism.
His case occurs amid a broader governmental crackdown on opposition figures and activists who criticize President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Last month, the government suspended all political rallies nationwide indefinitely, citing the need to preserve security.
During the extensive protests that followed the 29 October 2025 election results, a commission appointed by President Samia determined that 518 people died from unnatural causes, including 197 who were shot.
The magnitude of the violence shocked a nation that had long cultivated an image of calm, consensus, and stability over nearly six decades.
President Samia was declared the poll winner with 98 % of the vote, a result the opposition dismissed as a “mockery” of democracy after her two main challengers were barred from the race.
At the time, President Samia said the election was fair and transparent and attributed the violence to foreign actors, claiming it formed part of a plot to overthrow her.
