Tanzan priest Charles Kitima – and a government critic

A prominent Catholic priest and a government critic of Tanzania was attacked against the background of increasing political tensions before the election that should appear in October.

Father Charles Kittima, who had attended a full -day religious meeting, was planted by two people at night in the toilet of the dining room near his residence in Dar Es Salam.

According to police, he was hit on the head with a blunt object and later admitted to a hospital where he was in a stable condition.

Eyewitnesses said Frime Kitima was seen talking to a few people before the attack, and later found to bleed and call for help, moments after people were seen running off the stage.

Police say they have detained a suspect while investigations continue.

The attack on Father Kitima, who is the Secretary -General of the Catholic Bishop Organization, the Episcopal Conference in Tanzania (TEC), is widely convicted.

Boniface Mwabukusi, President of the Tangania Legal Society, who visited the priest in a hospital, said it was a “brutal attack with the intention of taking his life.”

By posting to X, Mwabukusi said Frime Kitima had a message about the Tanzanians that “we should not be afraid to pay the price for upholding justice and fulfilling our debts in the country.”

Political tensions are increasing in Tanzania before the general elections, with rights groups provoking fears about the contraction of civil space, accountability and justice.

Party Deputy Chairman John Hache said the incident was bad “news for the country”.

Lobby Group Legal and Human Rights Center also condemned the “disgusting attack” that depicts a “bad image” for the country.

Fritima Kitima often criticizes government policies and is widely known in Tanzania because of her bold position on democratic reforms and human rights.

The attack, which has worried the leaders of faith and civil society, comes days after the Catholic Church urged the government to comply with calls for election reform – a key request of the opposition.

The leaders of the Christian churches, whose followers make up 60% of the population, are becoming more and more revealed in justice and government.

But their criticism has not been received well by some supporters of the ruling party, with some higher figures asking religious leaders to remain out of politics.

President Suluhu Hassan himself warned the opposition last weekend that “no one is above the law.”

“We should not allow these elections to be the cause of conflict,” she added.

She also tried to downplay the fears of counterfeiting, promising that the government would “do everything in its power to ensure that the elections are free and honest.”

Since last year, there has been a wave of attacks and abductions aimed at government critics. Senior opposition data, including Chadema leader Tundou Lisu, have also been arrested, who is charged with betrayal.

But attacks of this kind on church leaders are rare.

Police said the motive for FR Kithma’s attack is not yet known, with continuing investigations wanting to identify other suspects.

The government did not comment on the attack.

But Stephen Vasira, Vice-Chairman of the CCM ruling party, condemned him and sent a message of sympathy for the priest.