The Chief of Personnel of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), Major General Marco Elisha Gaguti, has been appointed as an ambassador, making him the second high-ranking official to receive such an appointment within the first 100 days since President Samia took office following a contentious election.
In a statement released on February 6, 2026, President Samia announced Gaguti’s appointment as an ambassador, although his specific posting was not disclosed. The appointment comes one month after the former Head of Defence Intelligence of the army, Major General Mbaraka Naziad Mkeremy, was also appointed as an ambassador.
Gaguti was appointed District Commissioner of Buhigwe on June 27, 2016, when he held the rank of Colonel. On April 13, 2018, he was among 28 colonels promoted to Brigadier General and subsequently returned to military service.
Later, President John Pombe Magufuli appointed him Regional Commissioner of Kagera on July 28, 2018. He was later transferred to Mtwara by President Samia on May 15, 2021, and left the post on July 28, 2022, following the appointment of a new regional commissioner.
Gaguti started to serve as the Chief of Personnel of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force when the former Chief, Major General Paul Kisesa Simuli was appointed as an Ambassador of Uganda.
