The Tanzania Police Force has announced a two-month arms amnesty, giving individuals in possession of illegal firearms an opportunity to surrender them without facing prosecution.
In its statement published on Monday, September 01, 2025, the Police says the amnesty was gazetted under Government Notice No. 537 on August 29, 2025, and officially runs from September 1 to October 31, 2025.
“The voluntary surrender of illegal firearms nationwide will take place on any day from September 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025. Illegal firearms should be surrendered at any Police station in the country, at the Local Government Office, or to the Ward/Shehia Executive Officer from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone who surrenders an illegal firearm within that period will not face any legal action,” the Police statement reads.
The initiative forms part of a global campaign spearheaded by the United Nations to reduce the circulation of illicit arms. Several other countries are also launching arms amnesties in September 2025.
In addition to illegal weapons, firearms that were legally registered but whose owners have since passed away must also be surrendered. The same applies to firearms previously registered under security companies that have ceased operations, or weapons informally transferred to another security firm without official authorization.
