Tanzania: New Political Party Uses Late President Magufuli Portrait

The founder of Tanzania’s Umoja Party says they have decided to use the portrait of the late President John Magufuli on their T-shirts because their policies resonate with those of the former leader.

Former President Magufuli died in March last year.

The party has submitted an application for registration to the registrar of political parties, who on Tuesday warned it to stop engaging in political activities without being a registered entity yet.

The social media is awash with pictures of people alleged to be followers of Umoja Party wearing T-shirts with the flag of the party and a picture of Magufuli.

Party founder Seif Maalim says they have used Magufuli’s image to popularise their party.

“Basically, we didn’t have bad intentions by using the photograph of the late Magufuli, who is not our member, but we have done that to market ourselves to the public and because our policies relate with what Magufuli was standing for,” he said.

Mr Maalim said he believes that the office of the registrar will write to them indicating the party’s mistakes and where they have erred in order to make amends, saying they are not against the guidelines of the registrar.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere