Tundu Lissu sentenced to four years in prison for incitement

The High Court of Tanzania's Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry on Friday, November 6, 2026, concluded a 577-day trial, convicting Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu of incitement under Section 390 of the Penal Code. Lissu was sentenced to four years in prison. A three-judge panel chaired by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru delivered the verdict, acquitting Lissu of treason charges. The trial followed statements made by Lissu ahead of the 2025 General Election, which state prosecutors alleged were aimed at inciting the public to disrupt the vote.

The case originated from an event held on April 3, 2025, at Chadema headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, while addressing a public rally in Mbinga town, Ruvuma Region. He was formally arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court on April 10, 2025. Since treason is a non-bailable offence under Tanzanian law, Lissu was remanded in custody, initially at Keko Prison before being transferred to Ukonga Prison.

The pre-trial phase involved several procedural milestones and legal challenges. On July 15, 2025, Senior State Attorney Nassoro Katuga informed the magistrate's court that investigations had been completed. The High Court granted an application allowing civilian prosecution witnesses to testify anonymously on August 4, 2025. The defence received witness statements outlining the anticipated testimonies of 30 prosecution witnesses on August 18, 2025.

Lissu raised preliminary objections challenging the court's jurisdiction and alleging fundamental defects in the charge sheet during the preliminary hearing on September 8, 2025. The High Court dismissed the jurisdictional challenge on September 15, 2025, and objections concerning the constitutionality of protected witnesses on September 16, 2025. Lissu admitted making the statements cited by the prosecution but denied having any treasonous or criminal intent.

The evidentiary hearings began on October 6, 2025, with testimony from the Deputy Commander of Criminal Investigation for the Dar es Salaam Special Zone, Assistant Commissioner of Police George Bagyemu. Proceedings were suspended later that month due to the General Election scheduled for late October 2025 and subsequent security-related adjustments. The trial resumed on February 9, 2026, after a lengthy suspension.

The prosecution closed its case on August 17, 2026, after calling 17 of the 30 witnesses listed. Lissu presented his defence, but the court rejected his request to summon senior government officials, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan and former Vice-President Philip Mpango. The defence sought a complete acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence, while the State maintained that the evidence overwhelmingly established the charges.

The trial reached its conclusion on November 6, 2026, amid heightened police security in Dar es Salaam. Chadema's legal representatives immediately announced plans to appeal against the conviction and seek bail pending the determination of the appeal. The court's verdict marked a significant development in the prolonged legal and political proceedings surrounding Lissu's case.

Key points

• Lissu was acquitted of treason charges but convicted of incitement and sentenced to four years in prison.
• The trial lasted 577 days, concluding on November 6, 2026.
• Chadema plans to appeal the conviction and seek bail pending the determination of the appeal.