Dar es Salaam. The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has reopened nominations for the Kongwa parliamentary seat following the death of its initial winner, former Speaker Job Ndugai, who passed away on August 6, 2025.
Ndugai, who was laid to rest in his Kongwa hometown on Monday, had secured the CCM nomination with 5,690 votes, positioning him as the party’s candidate for the October 29, 2025 elections—a seat he had held since 2000.
Speaking during Ndugai’s funeral over the weekend, Clerk of the National Assembly Baraka Leonard stated that the Speaker of the 12th Parliament’s death resulted from critically low blood pressure caused by a severe respiratory system infection.
Following Ndugai’s death, CCM announced on Monday that it would reopen the parliamentary primary to select his successor. Julius Lepupuma, CCM’s Kongwa District Secretary for Publicity and Ideology, stated the nomination exercise would be conducted on August 12, 2025, as a one-day event running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The forms will be available at the Kongwa District CCM office and will be issued by the District Secretary.
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The statement clarified that the cost of the forms will remain as stipulated in the 2025 edition of the Leadership Guidelines for State Institutions. It also emphasized the eligibility criteria for applicants, including being an active CCM member of sound mind and having paid membership fees.
Additionally, the statement prohibited members from organizing motorcades, motorcycle processions, bicycle parades, drumming, or trumpet-playing to escort candidates collecting forms, as well as bringing cheerleaders for celebratory purposes.
Born on January 21, 1963, Ndugai served as Speaker of the National Assembly from November 2015 until his resignation on January 6, 2022.
Prior to this, he was Deputy Speaker (2010–2015) before ascending to the role under President John Magufuli’s administration.
His 2022 resignation resulted from mounting pressure within CCM ranks, as his diverging views on national governance strategies put him at odds with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
He received his primary education at Mtare Primary School from 1991 to 1997. He began his secondary education at Kibaha Secondary School from 1978 to 1981 and completed it at Old Moshi Secondary School from 1982 to 1984.
He earned a Diploma in Wildlife Management from Mweka College from 1986 to 1988, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Dar es Salaam (1989-1993).
Ndugai pursued postgraduate studies at the Agricultural College in Norway from 1994 to 1995 and obtained a Master’s Degree from the same institution (1995-1996).
His educational journey culminated at the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Management (2005-2008).
