The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, has sentenced the chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, Tundu Lissu, to four years in prison after finding him guilty of the crime of sedition.
The decision was made on Friday, November 6, 2026, concluding a trial that lasted for approximately 19 months since his arrest.
Lissu was initially charged with treason, however, he was found not guilty of the crime today through treason case number 000019605 of 2025,
Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, in Mbinga, Ruvuma region, shortly after addressing a CHADEMA rally as part of the party’s No Reforms, No Election campaign. The following day, April 10, he was brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, Dar es Salaam, and charged with treason.
The charges related to remarks he allegedly made on April 3, 2025, at a meeting with CHADEMA candidates at the party’s offices in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam.
The prosecution accused Lissu of making statements and publishing information aimed at inciting the public to prevent the October 2025 General Elections, with the intention of threatening the Government. Lissu denied the charges.
The case officially began hearing at the High Court on September 8, 2025, before a panel of three judges, led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, assisted by Justices James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented 17 out of 30 witnesses listed. On the defense side, Lissu presented five witnesses. Among the issues discussed in court were the alleged statements made by Lissu, the video evidence of the meeting that was not presented in court, the manner in which the video was distributed, and the legal definition of the crime of treason.
On August 21, 2026, the court ruled that Lissu had a case to answer and ordered him to defend himself. The decision did not mean that he was found guilty, but allowed the case to enter the defense stage.
Later, all parties presented their closing arguments, with the defense presenting its arguments between September 23 and 28, before the prosecution concluded its arguments on September 29, 2026.
In today’s ruling, the court said the evidence presented by the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Lissu had the intention to threaten the Government, which is an essential part of proving the crime of treason.
The court also assessed Lissu’s alleged statements regarding obstructing elections and inciting citizens to disobey the Government, stating that these issues should be distinguished in the legal assessment.
However, the court found him guilty of the lesser offense of incitement. According to the prosecution, the offense is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Lissu had been charged with the offence of treason contrary to Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code Act.
