The Vice Chairman of CCM for Mainland Tanzania, Stephen Wasira, has warned village and sub-village leaders in Kagera region against allowing foreigners to settle in their areas illegally, stating that this poses a future threat to the country.
Wasira made these remarks while addressing CCM members and leaders in Karagwe and Kyerwa districts in Kagera region on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This came after receiving complaints from residents about foreigners entering illegally and acquiring land.
“If you allow them to enter without proper procedures and establish permanent settlements, removing them later will result in conflict. Then, people will claim that there is internal conflict among Tanzanians, whereas in reality, it will be a conflict between foreigners and Tanzanians who have lost their land,” said Wasira.
He emphasized that Tanzania has no problem with foreigners, and their home countries are friendly nations. However, they must enter the country legally, just as Tanzanians would be sent back if they entered those nations without proper documentation. He gave an example, noting that some neighboring countries have less land than a single region in Tanzania, such as Kagera.
“If you allow your land to be occupied just because you think it is vast, remember that the population keeps increasing while the land remains the same. Ensure that these foreigners are not given land and do not enter the country without legal procedures,” Wasira stressed.
The veteran CCM leader promised to take the matter to the Minister of Home Affairs, Innocent Bashungwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Karagwe, to push for government action on the issue.
Kagera region, located in northwestern Tanzania, borders three countries; Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. This is not the first time that Tanzanian citizens and top leaders have raised concerns about illegal immigration facilitated by lower-level local governments leaders.
In 2013, during his visit to the region, the fourth-phase President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was dismayed by the situation and instructed security agencies to address the issue. This led to various measures, including “Operation Kimbunga,” which was conducted by security forces and resulted in the deportation of thousands of illegal immigrants living in the Lake Zone and Kigoma regions.
