The Tanzania Police Force has recovered 230 illegal firearms since the launch of a voluntary surrender campaign in September, with owners having until October 31, 2026, to hand over the weapons before a nationwide crackdown begins.
Police said the firearms surrendered between September 1 and October 19 included 150 locally made guns, 50 shotguns, 15 rifles, eight pistols, five AK-47 assault rifles and two MK IV firearms.
With only 11 days remaining before the amnesty expires, the force has urged people still holding illegal weapons to surrender them voluntarily to avoid arrest and prosecution.
In a statement issued on October 20, the police said officers would begin nationwide operations on November 1 to arrest and prosecute anyone found possessing illegal firearms after the deadline.
The campaign was launched on August 31 by Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi in Dodoma, following Government Notice No. 251, issued on August 28, which provides an amnesty for people who surrender illegally held firearms during the two-month period.
Under the arrangement, firearms can be surrendered between 8am and 4pm daily at police stations, local government or village offices, and ward executive offices.
The amnesty covers firearms that have never been registered or were acquired without the required permits, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, locally made guns and military-style weapons.
It also covers legally owned firearms left in family homes after their owners die. Relatives holding such weapons are expected to surrender them to police for safekeeping while inheritance procedures are underway.
The police said the campaign was intended to reduce the risks posed by firearms held outside the legal framework and prevent weapons from falling into the hands of people who could use them to harm families and communities.
The force has also urged people who legally own firearms but can no longer handle or secure them safely because of old age, health problems or other circumstances to surrender them.
The warning comes as previous amnesty campaigns have been followed by arrests and lengthy prison sentences for people who continued to possess illegal firearms after the grace periods expired.
According to police data, 176 suspects, including 167 men and nine women, were arrested and taken to court in 165 cases involving illegal firearm possession between November 2023 and August 2024. Those convicted were sentenced to 10 years in prison each.
Between November 2024 and August 2025, police recorded 158 cases involving illegal firearms, leading to the arrest and prosecution of 161 suspects, comprising 151 men and 10 women. Those convicted also received 10-year prison sentences.
In the latest period, from November 2025 to August 2026, the force recorded 183 cases and reported that 172 suspects 169 men and three women were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to 10 years in prison each after being convicted.
The figures underscore the legal risks facing people who fail to take advantage of the current amnesty.
Section 62 of the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act, Chapter 223, Revised Edition 2023, provides for a prison sentence of 10 years, a fine of TZS15 million, or both, for a person convicted of unlawful firearm possession.
The police said similar amnesty arrangements had been offered in 2023, 2024 and 2025, but some firearm owners had failed to surrender their weapons before the deadlines and were subsequently arrested.
Beyond the voluntary surrender campaign, the force has reminded legal firearm owners to visit district police stations for verification, carrying their firearms, licences and one passport-size photograph.
The police urged all firearm owners to comply with the requirements, warning that those who retain illegal weapons beyond October 31 risk prosecution once the nationwide operations begin on November 1.