Ugandan Gen (Rtd) David Sejusa calls on Tanzanian army to overthrow President Samia Suluhu Hassan
Former Ugandan intelligence chief Gen (Rtd) David Sejusa, one of Uganda’s most prominent retired military figures, has called on the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) to intervene and overthrow President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government, claiming it is responsible for “killings and destruction” during ongoing unrest.
Sejusa’s remarks came last week as mass protests and violent clashes rocked Tanzania following last Wednesday’s controversial presidential election, which saw President Samia declared the winner with more than 97% of the vote.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, President Samia, who has led the country since 2021, was sworn in for another five-year term in a low-key ceremony attended by only a few guests.
As demonstrations intensified across major cities, Gen Sejusa, known for his outspoken analysis on security and international politics, urged the TPDF to step in “to restore order and prevent further bloodshed.”
Writing on his official X (Twitter) account, he stated:
“The Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces should intervene and take control to stop the killings and destruction.”
He added:
“Once order is restored, find a path forward. Do not allow irresponsible leadership to destroy Tanzania.”
His comments immediately drew sharp condemnation from Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who accused the retired general of “overstepping” and “amplifying social media misinformation.”
Ayebare asserted that “normalcy had been restored in Tanzania” and urged all actors to respect constitutional procedures.
Responding to criticism, Gen Sejusa later clarified that his statements were based on “credible information” from multiple sources, including Tanzanian state media.
He argued that “the situation in Tanzania is deteriorating, marked by political disputes, human rights violations, and wanton destruction of property,” adding that “the military’s role is to prevent the country from sliding into chaos.”
Sejusa also defended his stance, saying that military intervention would be justified “if elected leaders fail to protect citizens’ dignity and security.” He rejected what he called “Western hypocrisy” that condemns every coup without considering the local context.
Meanwhile, CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party, claims that as many as 800 people have been killed in the post-election violence, though independent rights groups report around 10 confirmed deaths so far.
