By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha--President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the immediate return of land belonging to the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, which had been controversially taken by the Arusha City Council. She also ordered the reimbursement of Sh500 million, which the Church had been forced to pay to repurchase the property.
The directive was announced by Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa, representing the President after Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda raised the Church’s concerns at the end of President Samia’s visit to the region.
Minister Mchengerwa relayed the President's clear instruction that the Arusha regional authorities and city council return the land and refund the Sh500 million the Church had paid. “I’ve heard your concerns, Commissioner. You spoke with deep emotion, explaining how the Catholic Church had owned this land for years, only for it to be taken without proper justification. They were then required to pay again, contributing Sh500 million,” Mchengerwa noted.
“I've been following this issue closely, and after speaking with President Samia, she directed me to ensure that the land is returned immediately and the money refunded. I urge the regional administration to take swift action and ensure that the funds go back to the Church as quickly as they were taken,” Mchengerwa emphasized.
Arusha’s Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda described how the Church was left with no choice but to gather contributions across the diocese after being threatened with a deadline to repurchase its land. "Despite the land originally belonging to the Church, they were forced to pay to reclaim it. This has been deeply unsettling, and after learning of the issue, I urged the Minister to ensure the Church's offerings were not misused. The money must be returned, and the land given back," Makonda stressed.
The resolution of this land dispute marks a major victory for the Catholic Church in Arusha, which had struggled to reclaim the land it had owned for years. The forced Sh500 million payment, collected from Church members, sparked outrage among parishioners and the wider community.
President Samia’s swift and decisive response has been welcomed as a positive move toward fairness and justice. This act showcases her firm stance in safeguarding the rights of both public and private institutions, particularly religious organizations that hold significant influence in communities.
The return of the Sh500 million, alongside the restoration of the land, is expected to bring closure to the Church in Arusha and its congregation, who have long awaited justice in this matter. However, the controversy raises lingering questions about how the land was initially seized and whether any officials involved will face accountability for their actions.
This decision not only settles a long-standing dispute but also sets a precedent for how similar conflicts may be handled in the future. It underscores the need for transparency and justice and reinforces President Samia’s image as a leader committed to upholding fairness in Tanzania's governance system.