Dodoma – Authorities have offered contradictory reasons for the arrest of a University of Dodoma (UDOM) lecturer, an incident that occurred amidst a sweeping government crackdown ahead of banned nationwide demonstrations.
While police confirmed the lecturer was arrested for allegedly inciting students inside a classroom, the minister responsible for higher education has insisted the arrest was related to activities outside the university.
Melkizedeki Tunzi Kaijage, an assistant lecturer in social sciences, teaching African politics, was arrested on December 9, 2025, after his home was searched. Dodoma’s Regional Police Commander, Gallus Hyera, told the media on December 15 that Mr Kaijage was accused of using a lecture on December 8 to encourage students to join the so-called “D9” demonstrations, which the government had outlawed.
“He was accused of allegedly making remarks in his 8 Dec lecture (10:30-13:30) that incited students to participate in 9 Dec demonstrations,” stated an urgent alert from the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association (UDOMASA) that was circulated online.
The letter, signed by General Secretary Isaac Mahenge, claimed the lecturer’s remarks were “secretly recorded by ‘an informer’ in the class and sent to ‘high authorities,’ who ordered the arrest.”
Speaking to The Chanzo on Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Chairperson of the Association, Gerald Shija, confirmed the incident to The Chanzo.
“We have issued an alert to ensure that our lecturers are taking precautions for now, as we follow-up on what further steps the management will take to ensure that academics are able to remain free while giving their lectures and teaching in the classrooms,” Shija said.
The Regional Police Commander (RPC) of Dodoma, Gallus Hyera confirmed Mr Kaijage was questioned and subsequently released on bail while the investigation continues.
“He was arrested on the 9th [December, 2025], on allegations that on the 8th [December, 2025], while giving a lecture at UDOM, he allegedly incited the holding of protests, even though the Government had already issued statements banning those protests,” RPC Hyera said.
However, in a statement that directly contradicts the police narrative, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, asserted that the lecturer’s arrest was not connected to his teaching activities.
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Speaking to Mwananchi newspaper on December 13, Prof Mkenda said his preliminary information suggested the arrest was “due to actions carried out outside the university, not within the institution.” He strongly defended the principle of academic freedom, stating that police surveillance in classrooms was unacceptable.
“We do not expect police to be involved in supervising how teaching is conducted in our classrooms. That would be taking matters too far. Such a situation does not exist,” Prof Mkenda said, adding that universities have their own internal procedures for handling professional or ethical misconduct.
The arrest came against a backdrop of heightened political tension, with the government launching a significant security operation to prevent the D9 protests, which were planned for the country’s 64th Independence Day.
The demonstrations were called by online activists to protest against alleged democratic backsliding and to demand accountability for deaths and disappearances linked to previous unrest on October 29, 2025. The government banned the protests, labelling them illegal uprisings, and warned citizens to stay home.
READ MORE: Tanzania Issues Nationwide Protest Ban, Escalates Crackdown Ahead of Independence Day
The crackdown saw dozens of arrests nationwide, including opposition party members and social media influencers. The United Nations Human Rights Office had urged the government to show restraint and respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
The UDOMASA letter warned of a “new reality where lectures may be under surveillance,” urging staff to be extremely cautious.
This incident has amplified long-standing fears among academics about the erosion of academic freedom in Tanzania, where critics say state control over university leadership has created a climate of self-censorship and stifled critical debate.
