Melkisedek Kaijage, a political science and public administration lecturer at the University of Dodoma, was arrested earlier this month following allegations he incited participation in unauthorized demonstrations. He initially faced charges of inciting people to join planned protests scheduled for 7 July that were banned by authorities and did not occur. When Kaijage appeared in magistrate’s court to request bail after 15 days in police custody, prosecutors upgraded his charges to terrorism offenses.
The charge upgrade means Kaijage will remain in custody as terrorism-related offenses generally do not qualify for bail under Tanzanian law. His case will proceed in a higher court rather than the magistrate’s level. Prosecutors allege he threatened to burn public buildings as part of intimidation tactics. Under Tanzanian law, terrorism-related convictions carry penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
Kaijage was among over 130 people arrested in connection with the planned demonstrations, which called for democratic reforms and accountability for deaths that occurred following an election held on 29 October 2025. Security forces were deployed across major cities as authorities warned against incitement of unrest. University colleagues have characterized Kaijage as a respected educator whose standing derives from his teaching rather than political activism, according to the chairman of the University of Dodoma Academic Staff Association.
The arrests and charges are part of a broader government crackdown on opposition figures and government critics. A government-established commission reported 518 deaths from unnatural causes following the election, including 197 fatalities from gunshots. The government has also suspended political rallies nationwide, citing security maintenance as justification for the measure.
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