The Office of the Vice President (Union and Environment) and the Dar es Salaam City Council have agreed to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform the historic Karimjee Hall into a Union Memorial and Archival Center (Makavazi).
Speaking on March 31, 2026, during a meeting with officials from both offices, Dr. Juma Mohammed Salum, Director of Union Affairs at the Vice President’s Office, said the initiative follows directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan to preserve and promote the history of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
“Karimjee Hall is a key historical site where the United Republic of Tanzania was born in 1964. This agreement will provide a foundation for preserving our nation’s history for current and future generations,” Dr. Salum said.
He noted that the center will safeguard important Union records, offering citizens insight into the origins and benefits of the Union.
“Many countries, including Germany, prioritize historical archives for education. We want to do the same for Tanzania,” he added.
Dar es Salaam City Council Director, Mr. Elihuruma Mabelya, expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged full support.
“As the City Council, we will ensure the plan goes through all necessary decision-making stages, including approval by the City Council, so implementation can begin without delay,” he said.
Mr. Mabelya also recommended forming a small expert committee to coordinate an action plan to accelerate the project.
The meeting brought together experts from the Vice President’s Office, Dar es Salaam City Council, and the National Archives and Records Department, marking the first step toward turning Karimjee Hall into a center that preserves the country’s Union history.
