Sundays are typically quiet days in Tanzania, with low traffic and a strong cultural emphasis on worship for many Christians. However, for the past three weeks, Sundays have been intense for worshippers of the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church, popularly known as Ufufuo na Uzima.
The 31-year-old church was deregistered on June 2, 2025, following a press conference and a subsequent sermon by its leader, Bishop Josephat Gwajima, in which he condemned abductions. In the deregistration letter, the government stated that the church was being deregistered due to remarks by its leader that allegedly sought to pit the government against its citizens.
Since the church’s deregistration, worshippers have continued gathering outside their main church premises, organizing prayer sessions and offering each other encouragement. However, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, tensions escalated as police moved in with batons and tear gas to disperse the gathering.
Police had already surrounded the area early in the morning, but at around 12 p.m., the situation intensified when more than 200 worshippers arrived, holding posters calling for freedom of worship and denouncing abductions.
Speaking to The Chanzo on June 26, 2025, the Church’s Deputy Secretary, Bishop Maximilian Kadutu, emphasized that prayers does not require government registration.
“Our people have been ordered not to stop praying, as is customary,” said Machumu, referring to the Bible. “We believe that for our prayers to reach God, we must meet together.”
“If they had followed proper procedures in the deregistration, including giving a 14-day notice, it would have been easier for church leaders to prepare the worshippers. We were not given ample time, so you should expect more people to come every Sunday,” Machumu added.
On Sunday, worshippers had used the nearby Lutheran Church of East Africa building to gather. Around noon, as they exited the building and came into contact with police, chaos ensued. Officers also entered the building, beating and kicking worshippers who were still praying. “Jesus, Jesus,” worshippers cried as police rounded them up into vehicles.
In their report, police stated that 52 people were arrested for unlawful assembly. “On June 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police arrested 52 individuals in the Kibo area of Ubungo. They are currently being questioned on suspicion of organizing an unlawful assembly with the intent to incite unrest. The group attempted to enter a busy, high-speed road—an action that is against the law,” the statement read.
“The individuals came from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eastern Africa (KKAM), where they had attended a service. However, after the service ended, they began to leave and engage in acts of disorder, which are against the law,” it continued.
A video showing police dispersing worshippers with force has circulated widely online, drawing strong criticism from the public.
“I condemn and rebuke the persecution and faith-based attacks being carried out against the believers of the Resurrection and Life Church,” said Boniface Mwabukusi, President of the Tanganyika Bar Association.
“It is important for government leaders to understand that if I am ever asked to choose between Jesus and Tanganyika, I will choose Jesus. If I am told to choose between Jesus and the silence that is wrongly called peace, or between that silence and my faith in the cross, I will still choose my faith in the cross,” Mwabukusi continued.
“The government, whether intentionally or under the illusion of self-protection from criticism, is attacking Christianity by targeting Bishop Gwajima simply because he spoke out against abductions and those responsible.”
The deregistration of Ufufuo na Uzima remains legally unresolved. The Ministry of Home Affairs has denied recognizing the deregistration letter, which has stalled the appeal process. Furthermore, the court has been unable to offer legal recourse because the letter was addressed to a different church—“Glory of Christ Church” instead of “Glory of Christ Tanzania Church.” Even state attorneys have dismissed the deregistration letter as non-existent.
The court is expected to issue a ruling on July 8, 2025, following the submission of new evidence by the church’s legal team.
