Dodoma, Tanzania – The political temperature in Tanzania is rising ahead of the October general elections, and opposition party Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) is making bold promises to woo voters. The party’s presidential candidate, Wilson Mulumbe, has vowed that if elected, his government will connect every home in Tanzania to free electricity and water within 90 days of taking office.
Mulumbe, who officially collected his nomination forms yesterday from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), made his pledge in Dodoma amidst cheers from party supporters. His campaign convoy drew plenty of attention, with motorcycles, traditional mdundiko drummers, a sound truck and an MC all leading the way.
The ADC flagbearer’s trip to the electoral commission was not without drama. He had earlier missed his scheduled appointment on Tuesday, and though expected at 9am yesterday, he eventually arrived at 3:10pm. Mulumbe blamed his late arrival on traffic congestion and narrow roads in the capital. He seized the moment to promise that an ADC administration would reform infrastructure laws to ease transportation and reduce road accidents.
Upon arrival, Mulumbe was warmly welcomed by the Elections Director, Ramadhan Kailima, before a brief indoor meeting. Addressing journalists afterwards, he declared confidently, “We believe CCM is about to hand over the country to us.”
Outlining his campaign promises, Mulumbe unveiled five key pledges that he believes will transform Tanzania’s social and economic landscape. These include:
- Free education from primary school to university level.
- Cancellation of all student loan debts.
- Free healthcare services nationwide.
- A special maternal grant for every woman who gives birth, aimed at reducing child abandonment.
- Comprehensive child welfare support for every child born in Tanzania until the age of 18.
“Our government will deliver services without discrimination,” Mulumbe stressed. “Electricity will be connected for free across the country within 90 days of assuming office, alongside water connections. Every Tanzanian will benefit.”
Standing by his side was ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, Shoka Khamis Juma, who reinforced the party’s commitment to protecting the Union of Tanzania and ensuring fairness in political funding. He took aim at the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, criticising the controversial five-percent vote threshold required for political parties to qualify for state subsidies.
“This policy is exclusionary,” Juma said. “They are in power, they use state resources, yet they impose conditions that lock others out. I urge those who have said ‘no reform, no election’ to unite with us, remove CCM, and pass fairer laws.”
Juma also revealed that ADC plans to use grassroots fundraising to power its campaigns, taking inspiration from strategies used by CCM in previous elections. The party says this will help them maintain independence and mobilise resources from everyday citizens who believe in change.
Political observers note that Mulumbe’s promises, while attractive, will face scrutiny over feasibility, especially the pledge to deliver free utilities nationwide in just three months. Tanzania currently faces challenges in power generation, rural electrification, water supply networks, and budget constraints. Critics say these will require massive investment and strong governance to overcome.
However, for ADC supporters, Mulumbe’s campaign offers hope in a political landscape long dominated by CCM. His message of equality, free education, healthcare, and universal access to basic services is resonating with sections of the electorate, especially youth and low-income communities.
As campaigns gather momentum, Tanzanians will be watching closely to see whether ADC can turn its ambitious pledges into concrete plans, and whether these promises will be enough to loosen CCM’s decades-long grip on power. The October elections are shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in recent years, with economic hardship, unemployment, and public service delivery high on voters’ priority list.
