US envoy in Tanzania meets Catholic bishop who was attacked and injured
The United States of America (USA) has continued to condemn the surging reports of violence in Tanzania ahead of the country’s general elections slated for October 2025.
In a statement on Friday, June 6, 2025, the Chargé d’Affaires (CdA) in the US embassy in Tanzania, Andrew Lentz, condemned the violence that had been meted out on Catholic Bishop Father Charles Kitima.
“CdA Lentz recently met with Father Charles Kitima as he continues his recovery from the brutal attack on his life last month,” Lentz said.
“We reiterate our condemnation of all acts of violence, especially those that attempt to silence calls for justice, reconciliation, and human rights.”
Government critic
According to the police, Kitima, who is a government critic, was hit by a blunt object on his head and left for dead before being rescued and taken to the hospital in early May 2025.
The attack on Kitima, who is also the secretary-general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), drew widespread criticism from various quarters in the country, with Tanganyika Law Society president Boniface Mwabukusi calling it a brutal attack with the intent to take away the bishop’s life.
Mwabukusi equally called out the state for the disappearances of individuals deemed to be critics of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) government led by President Samia Suluhu.
Abductions
“The issue of abductions is real, and the fact that leaders are not taking adequate action to end these abductions is clear,” he said.
“That abductors are more protected than citizens is indisputable, as to this day, hundreds of Watanganyika continue to disappear and be abducted, yet not a single abductor has been shaken.”
The US Embassy equally called for speedy investigations into the matter, calling for justice and transparency.
“Following the shocking and brutal attack against Father Charles Kitima, we join Tanzanians across the political spectrum in praying for his full recovery and condemning all acts of violence, especially those that aim to silence calls for justice, reconciliation, and human rights. We hope Tanzania takes advantage of this moment to seek justice through a quick, transparent investigation,” the US embassy said on May 2, 2025.
The development comes just days after two activists from Kenya and Uganda were detained and deported from Tanzania, where they had gone to attend a treason case of Tanzania’s main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu.
Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire of Uganda revealed harrowing experiences of torture and abuse of human rights at the hands of people believed to be police officers of Tanzania, who ejected them from their hotel rooms before detaining them for days.
