ACT Wazalendo’s Kigoma Urban parliamentary candidate, Zitto Kabwe, has placed citizenship and access to identification at the heart of his campaign, pledging to ensure every Kigoma resident secures a National Identification Authority (NIDA) card if elected.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Rubuga Ward on Monday, October 21, 2025, Zitto said many Kigoma residents still lack national IDs because they are unfairly suspected of being citizens of neighbouring Burundi or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said this assumption has left genuine Tanzanians unable to access essential services.
“When a person from Kigoma is denied a NIDA card, it means they are being denied life,” he said.
“Without an ID, you can’t register a phone number, access health insurance, open a business, or even support your child’s education. Denying an ID means denying opportunity.”he added
Zitto said that if elected, he would use his position in Parliament to push for fair treatment of all citizens, especially those in border regions who continue to face unnecessary scrutiny and exclusion.
“Kigoma is Tanzania. Its people are Tanzanians, and they deserve recognition from their own government,” he said.
“I will fight to ensure everyone has an identity, because citizenship is a right, not a privilege.”he added
He also warned the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) against attempts to manipulate the upcoming October 29 general election, saying ACT Wazalendo has put in place strong measures to protect its votes.
“We were bitten by the snake in 2020 and 2024,” Zitto said. “In 2025, we will kill that snake before it bites us again. We want a clean election, where the will of the people is respected.”
Zitto’s comments resonated with many Kigoma residents, who said the lack of national IDs continues to block them from participating fully in economic and social activities.
One resident in Rubuga said she has tried for years to get a NIDA card without success. “We are Tanzanians, yet we are treated as foreigners. We can’t even open bank accounts or register our phones. It’s frustrating,” she said.
Political observers say Zitto’s focus on citizenship and identity rights is striking a powerful chord with voters, especially in regions like Kigoma, where questions of nationality have long created barriers to opportunity.
As the election nears, Zitto’s campaign message built on dignity, inclusion, and fairness is positioning him as a strong advocate for the rights of ordinary citizens seeking recognition and equal access to services.