The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament have said that the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli has left behind a mixed legacy.
Magufuli’s death was announced by Vice President Hassan Samia Suhulu in a televised address on Wednesday. Magufuli, 61, who passed away at a hospital in Dar es Salaam was missing in public for weeks.
Some of the MPs Uganda Radio Network spoke to say that Magufuli was a patriot who put his country first and was a man of action who developed the economy of Tanzania, while others say he violated human rights and was turning into an authoritarian leader.
Asuman Basalirwa, the MP Bugiri Municipality says that Magufuli will be remembered for his love for Tanzania, fighting corruption and being a peacemaker. He says Magufuli trusted and built Tanzanian institutions in the few years he has been President.
Basalirwa however says as his tenure continued, Magufuli started jailing and oppressing his opponents and curtailing freedoms.
Boaz Ninsiima Kasirabo, the Kooki County MP said that Magufuli succeeded in fighting corruption and leaving a modest life, but he failed in the fight against COVID-19.
He says Magufuli’s administration erred by not heeding to international calls to fight COVID-19.
Robert Ntende, the Bunya South MP says Magufuli is irreplaceable especially since he lived a life of the ordinary person and a life of service. He says Magufuli interacted freely with people and was extraordinary.
Jonathan Odur, the Erute North MP says that the lesson for African leaders is that they should resist imperialism that comes in different forms.
He says Magufuli was firm and not bullied by the Western countries. Odur also says that Magufuli led Tanzania to a middle-income status while other African countries are still struggling.
He however says that Magufuli fell short on human rights.
Mbwatekamwa Gaffa, the Kasambya County MP says that Magufuli was a pan-Africanist who loved his country, citing the suspension of state functions to save money.
He says Magufuli trusted in his countries institutions but also failed miserably when it came to managing Covid-19.
Bugabula South MP Maurice Kibalya says there will never be a leader like Magufuli who changed the way people look at service and leadership.
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