In a significant step toward enhancing national security and institutional capacity, Tanzania’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the recruitment of 7,666 new officers in the 2025/26 financial year.
The announcement was made today in Parliament by Minister Innocent Bashungwa as he presented a TSh 2.06 trillion budget proposal representing a 120 percent increase from the previous year.
“This budget reflects the government's unwavering commitment to public safety, institutional reform, and digital transformation,” said Minister Bashungwa.
“We are investing in people, infrastructure, and systems that will safeguard the country and improve service delivery.”he added
The new positions will be spread across the ministry’s key departments: 5,237 recruits will join the Police Force, 766 will be assigned to the Prisons Service, 1,000 to the Fire and Rescue Force, 457 to the Immigration Department, 150 to the National Identification Authority (NIDA), and 56 to the Ministry's headquarters.
“These numbers are not just about employment they are about reinforcing our national capacity to respond to crime, disasters, and border security challenges,” the minister emphasized.
The ministry has outlined five strategic priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. These include strengthening internal security, implementing reforms recommended by the Criminal Justice Commission, improving infrastructure for officers, modernizing digital immigration services, and initiating a national program to register and identify individuals under the age of 18.
“Our goal is to enhance public safety, but also to modernize how we deliver services,” said Bashungwa. “Registering young people and expanding digital systems will help the government plan more effectively for the future.”he added
Of the total budget, TSh 950.31 billion is allocated for salaries, TSh 701.7 billion for operational costs, and TSh 415.1 billion for development projects.
The development allocation includes TSh 388.6 billion from domestic sources and TSh 26.5 billion from external partners.
In addition, TSh 2.04 billion has been earmarked for land acquisition to construct offices and housing for officers, with the Police Force receiving TSh 532.45 million, the Prisons Service TSh 795.76 million, the Fire and Rescue Force TSh 600 million, and Immigration TSh 120 million.
The ministry is also intensifying its fight against financial crime. “We are allocating TSh 2.3 billion to strengthen the Financial Crime Unit (FCU), enhance investigation capabilities, and adopt modern technology to detect and prevent complex financial offenses,” the minister stated.
In another critical move, TSh 30 billion has been allocated for training programs focused on gender-based violence and child protection.
“We are building a security force that not only responds to threats, but also understands the social dimensions of crime,” Bashungwa noted.
Moreover, the ministry will oversee alternative sentencing programs, targeting 5,500 inmates who qualify for community service under existing laws.
To support better immigration control, TSh 69.08 billion will be used to expand digital immigration infrastructure in underserved regions.
Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security welcomed the budget and praised its comprehensive scope.
However, the committee chairperson, Vita Kawawa, urged the ministry to strengthen planning and logistics.
“Effective implementation begins with proper groundwork. The ministry must prepare thoroughly for all development projects,” he said.
Kawawa also called for improved transport and logistics for security forces, as well as investment in digital tools.
“As crime evolves with technology, our response must be equally advanced. We urge the ministry to collaborate with key stakeholders to modernize operations.”he added
The committee further encouraged the government to fast-track the national digital identity initiative, known as Jamii Namba, which aims to give every citizen a single, unified identification number.
“This system will enhance service delivery and national data management,” Kawawa explained.
With its largest-ever budget and a clear roadmap for reform, the Ministry of Home Affairs appears poised to transform Tanzania’s internal security landscape.
The recruitment of thousands of officers, combined with infrastructure upgrades and a digital push, signals a government ready to meet the complex demands of a fast-growing nation.
Source Mwananchi
