The Tanzanian government has deregistered the Glory of Christ Church – Ufufuo na Uzima, led by outspoken cleric and Kawe MP Bishop Josephat Gwajima, just a day after he publicly condemned alleged abductions and enforced disappearances in the country.
In an official letter dated Monday, June 2, 2025, Registrar of Civil Societies Emmanuel Kihampa stated that the deregistration was due to “politically charged sermons” delivered by Gwajima, which allegedly aimed to undermine public trust in the government, violating the Societies Act, Chapter 337.
“By the powers granted to me, the Office of the Registrar of Civil Societies has today revoked the registration of the Glory of Christ Church – Ufufuo na Uzima. All church operations must cease immediately,” Kihampa ordered.
The directive, also copied to Inspector General of Police Camillius Wambura, came less than 24 hours after Bishop Gwajima launched a week-long nationwide prayer campaign, calling for justice and peace in response to what he termed a “culture of fear and silence.”
During his June 1 sermon, Gwajima instructed his congregation — which spans over 2,000 church branches across Tanzania — to pray against intimidation and injustice, sparking backlash from officials within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
The registrar accused the bishop of jeopardizing national peace and cohesion, a charge often used in Tanzania to clamp down on critical voices, especially those involving political or human rights concerns.
This marks the latest in a series of growing tensions between religious institutions and the state, particularly as civil society actors push back against alleged authoritarian practices in President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
