Catholic Cleric Survives Violent Attack in Tanzania: Father Charles Kitima Returns to the Altar as Church-State Tensions Escalate

A Silent Target: Father Charles Kitima stands firm beside the spectre of state-enabled violence—symbolised by the notorious cartoon thug blending Tanzania’s police and ruling party uniforms. A chilling emblem of “Watu Wasiojulikana” [unknown assailants] and the blurred lines between political power and repression.

Ujasusi Blog’s East Africa Monitoring Team | June 3, 2025 at 2245 BST

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A senior Catholic cleric in Tanzania, Father Charles Kitima, has made a powerful return to public life following a near-fatal attack that left him hospitalised for almost a month. His emotional reappearance comes amid a rapidly escalating confrontation between religious institutions and the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Father Kitima, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC)—the national body representing Catholic bishops—was assaulted outside TEC’s headquarters in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, in late April 2025 by unidentified assailants. His statement during his first Mass since recovery, warning that “God will avenge”, has drawn national attention and is being interpreted by some observers as a subtle rebuke of the government’s failure to investigate or prevent attacks on clergy.

Simultaneously, Tanzanian authorities have cracked down on another outspoken church leader—Bishop Josephat Gwajima, whose Pentecostal megachurch has come under siege by heavily armed police. The overlapping timing of these developments has raised questions about a broader campaign of suppression against dissenting religious voices in the East African nation.

This article examines the timeline of events, provides biographical context for international readers, and explores the possible intelligence and security implications.