Dar es Salaam – The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) and political activist Dr Wilbroad Slaa have filed a case in the High Court challenging a directive by Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi that suspended political rallies across Tanzania.
The case, filed at the court’s Tabora Sub-Registry as Application No. 18130 of 2026, is scheduled to be heard by a three-judge panel comprising Justices Isaya Arufani, Ilvin Mugeta and Martha Mpaze.
The applicants are challenging a directive issued by Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi in Parliament in Dodoma on June 26, 2026. Citing security concerns and threats to national peace, Katambi instructed Inspector-General of Police Camillus Wambura not to authorise public rallies by any political party.
“Because incitement has been more evident in political activities, through this Parliament I direct IGP Wambura not to issue permits for any public rallies during this period,” Katambi told lawmakers.
In their application, the petitioners argue that the statement and directive were discriminatory and violated several provisions of Tanzania’s Constitution, including Articles 12, 13 and 29.
They also contend that the ban interfered with freedom of expression and communication protected under Article 18, as well as citizens’ right to participate in public affairs under Article 21.
READ MORE: Tanzania Reinstates Ban on Political Rallies Amid Security Concerns
The applicants are asking the court to declare that neither the Home Affairs minister nor the ministry has the constitutional or legal authority to suspend those rights.
Speaking to journalists, LHRC Executive Director Anna Henga said the minister’s directive contravened the Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which protect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
Henga said the organisations had asked Katambi to withdraw the directive and apologise. They went to court after he failed to do so.
“Domestic and international laws allow people to assemble and discuss matters affecting them,” Henga said. “We have therefore taken the Home Affairs minister to court under Case No. 18130 of 2026.”
Lawyer Jebra Kambole argued that making the statement in Parliament did not grant the minister permanent immunity from accountability for an alleged constitutional violation.
“You cannot simply say whatever you want because you are in Parliament,” Kambole said. “You cannot decide to violate the Constitution in Parliament and expect citizens merely to watch.”
He added that the directive had disrupted the activities of political parties and ordinary citizens since it was announced.
Slaa questioned the government’s security justification, noting that major sporting and other public events had continued despite the alleged threats.
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“If the concern is terrorism or public safety, why have sporting events continued as usual?” Slaa asked. “Security threats do not affect political gatherings alone. Why, then, have only political activities been restricted?”
The other respondents named in the case are the inspector-general of police, the attorney-general, opposition parties ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA.
ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA were included so they could tell the court whether they support or oppose the directive, as opposition parties are considered among those most directly affected by the suspension of political rallies.
