Evangelist Reverend Anthon Lusekelo, widely known as ‘Mzee wa Upako’ of the Prayer Church (GRC), has called on Tanzanians to use the events of October 29 as a moment for national reflection, unity, and rebuilding the country’s dignity.
Speaking on the tragedy, Mzee wa Upako described it as unprecedented in the nation’s history, extending his condolences to residents of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Songwe, and Mwanza who were most affected.
“October 29 was like a war among ourselves. Some of my congregants were shot in Kimara, but no Tanzanian has remained untouched. This is not the time for blame, but a moment for reflection on how our nation reached such a critical point,” he said.
He compared the recent events to the tense atmosphere during the 1977/78 war against Idd Amin’s regime, noting that the pain and disruption then find echoes in the current experience. Mzee wa Upako warned that failing to learn from this tragedy could trigger even greater crises in the years to come.
The pastor called on all Tanzanians—including religious leaders, parents, government officials, and politicians—to lead efforts in restoring the nation’s values and ensuring respect for human life.
“We must reflect on how our country’s dignity was compromised and work together to prevent similar events from happening in the future,” he emphasized.
Mzee wa Upako’s message underscores the importance of unity, social cohesion, and civic responsibility.
As the nation comes to terms with the aftermath of October 29, he urged citizens to embrace dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, turning the painful experience into a lesson for the future.