Tanzania is mourning the passing of veteran politician and diplomat Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, who died at the age of 82.
Mwapachu, a prominent figure in Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), passed away while undergoing treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital. His death was confirmed on Friday, March 28, 2025, through multiple media reports.
Born on September 27, 1942, in Mwanza, Mwapachu had an extensive career in public service, holding key positions in both national and regional leadership. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and the country’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. In April 2006, he was appointed Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), where he played a crucial role in promoting regional integration until the end of his term in 2011.
Beyond diplomacy, Mwapachu was actively engaged in various sectors, serving as chairman of the Tanzania Railways Corporation, the Confederation of Tanzania Industries, and the East African Business Council. Additionally, he was part of the Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform Commission and contributed to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 through several presidential commissions.
A legal professional by training, he earned a law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1969 before pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law, International Institutions, and Diplomacy at the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy in New Delhi, India. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Dar es Salaam honored him with a Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) in 2005. He also held an honorary degree in Political Science from the National University of Rwanda.
Mwapachu was also a dedicated writer and intellectual, authoring multiple books and articles on Tanzania’s transformation and development. In August 2023, he published his autobiography, A Journey, which compiled his significant speeches and writings, offering insights into his personal and professional life.
He was deeply committed to academia, serving as president of the Convocation and vice chairman of the Governing Council at the University of Dar es Salaam, as well as chairman of the Council of the University of Dodoma.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mwapachu made a lasting impact in law, banking, rural development, diplomacy, and private enterprise. His contributions to Tanzania and the broader East African region will be remembered for years to come.
