Mara Region - Notable Persons From Musoma and Mara

Notable Persons From Musoma and Mara

Musoma has produced many famous Tanzanians. Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the father of the nation and de facto leader of its people from 1954 when he became Chairman of Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), attended Mwisenge Primary School in Musoma. So did Justice Joseph Sinde Warioba, the country's former Prime Minister and Vice President. In fact the student list of Mwisenge reads like a 'who is who' in Tanzania's first Republic: Joseph Warioba Butiku, Col. Selemani Kitundu, Moses Mang'ombe, and others.

Bhoke Munanka was a member of the very first cabinet of independent Tanganyika. Other senior politicians from Mara include Stephen Wassira, Makongoro Nyerere - one of the sons of Mwalimu Nyerere, and Gaudencia Kabaka.

Mama Maria Nyerere, Tanzania's first first landy come from the Simbiti subtribe of the Kuria people in Mara's Rorya District.

Mara has also produced many top rank military leaders of the country, including three Chiefs of Defence Forces: Generals David Musuguri, Ernest Kyaro, and George Waitara. Other popular generals from Mara include Mwita Marwa and Sylvester Ryoba.

Academic, writer and politician (former Minister) Abel Mwanga also hailed from Musoma.

Mara has also produced several top notch academics. The list of senior academics from Mara include: - Economist professor Samuel Mwita Wangwe, professor Kohi, professor Bwatondi, and the late professor Biswalo.

From a younger generation, Sospter Muhongo, Tanzania's first indigenous professor of Geology was born in Musoma. Mr. Muhongo has also practiced as a politician and minister. Francis Shasha Matambalya, Tanzania's first indigenous professor of international trade was also born in Musoma. He is a scholar of international repute in his area of specialization. Institutions, which have benefitted from his advise include diverse organisations such as the United Nations Agencies and Organs, African Union, East African Community, Southern African Development Community, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, ACP-EU Project Management Unit, GIZ, International Lawyers and Economist Against Poverty, etc. Professor Ibrahim Juma, a judge with Tanzania's High Court also hails from Musoma. He is a former Dean of the University of Dar es Salaam, one of Africa's top Universities.

Mara has also produced several top-notch athletes: Footballer Mohammed Bakari Tall (Simba and National Team), footballer Mbwana Samata (Simba, TP Mazembe, and National Team), footballer Amri Kiemba (Simba and National Team), the Isangura Brothers (boxing, Olympians), Nassoro Michael (boxing, Olympians), Bhoke Matambalya (Jeshi Stars and national teams, basketball and netball), the late Feada Faru (Jeshi Stars and national teams, basketball and netball).

Notable Entrepreneurs from Mara include Industrialist and Hotelier Mwita Gachuma, Hotelier Sylivester Chacha, Transport Entrepreneur Zacharia, and Lawyer and Politician Nimrod Mkono who operates one of the most sucessful legal firms in Tanzania.

Source: Masimulizi ya Historia ya Watu wa Mara. Mara Elders Meetings.