Tundu Antiphas Mughwai Lissu is one of Tanzania’s most outspoken opposition leaders, known for his courage in standing up to powerful regimes. Born in 1968, Lissu’s life has been marked by resilience — surviving multiple arrests, years of exile, and an assassination attempt that left him with 16 bullet wounds.
He began his education at Mahambe Primary School and later joined Ilboru and Galanos Secondary Schools. Lissu studied law at the University of Dar es Salaam, graduating in 1994, before earning a master’s degree from the University of Warwick in the UK in 1996.
Before joining politics, Lissu worked as a teacher and legal officer, later becoming part of the Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team, where he gained recognition for defending land and environmental rights.
His legal career soon merged with activism, pushing him toward politics through the NCCR Mageuzi and later CHADEMA, where he became Chief Legal Officer in 2004.
Elected as the Member of Parliament for Singida East in 2010, Lissu became known for his firm stand against corruption and abuse of power.
During John Magufuli’s presidency, he was repeatedly arrested for criticizing the government and exposing scandals, including mismanagement of public funds.
In September 2017, armed men shot him outside his home in Dodoma, leaving him seriously injured. After several surgeries in Kenya and Belgium, he returned home in 2020 to contest the presidency under CHADEMA, revitalizing Tanzania’s opposition movement despite losing the election.
After Magufuli’s death, Lissu hoped President Samia Suluhu Hassan would promote reforms. However, his relationship with her government turned tense, leading to his arrest in 2023 on treason charges after a political rally.
His ongoing legal battle has raised global concern, with many viewing him as a steadfast voice for democracy ahead of Tanzania’s 2025 elections.
By Kenyans