Makongoro Nyerere Explained

Makongoro Nyerere
Term Start:5 June 2012
Constituency:Tanzania
Office2:Member of Parliament
Term Start2:February 2004
Term End2:2005
Constituency2:None (Nominated MP)
Appointer2:Benjamin Mkapa
Term Start3:November 1995
Term End3:1997
Constituency3:Arusha Urban
Predecessor3:Abdulrahman Kinana
Successor3:Felix Mrema
Birth Date:30 January 1959
Birth Place:Tanganyika Territory
Nationality:Tanzanian
Parents:Julius Nyerere
Maria Nyerere
Alma Mater:Tanzania Military Academy
University of Aberdeen
Branch:Tanzanian Army
Serviceyears:1979–1990
Rank:Lieutenant
Battles:Uganda–Tanzania War
Mawards: Nishani ya Vita

Charles Makongoro Nyerere (born 30 January 1959) is a Tanzanian CCM politician and a retired army officer of the Tanzania People's Defence Force.[1] He is currently serving as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly.[2]

Early life and career

Makongoro was educated at Arusha, Bunge and Isike primary schools from 1964 to 1972. He then joined Tabora Boys Secondary School where he obtained his ordinary and advanced level of education.[1] From 1979 to 1990, he served in the army and is a veteran of the Uganda–Tanzania War. Following the Fall of Kampala on 11 April 1979, he was part of the Tanzanian troops that remained there to ensure that law and order prevails.

In 1982, he graduated from the present-day Tanzania Military Academy at Monduli where he studied an Officer Cadet Course.[3] Between 2001 and 2003, he attained a degree in strategic studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.[4]

Political career

In 1995, Makongoro joined the opposition NCCR–Mageuzi and won the parliamentary constituency of Arusha Urban in the general election, but lost his seat following a court ruling in 1997.[5] He was succeeded by Felix Mrema of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).[6] In 2000, he joined the CCM.[7] President Benjamin Mkapa appointed him as a nominated MP in February 2004.[5] From 2007 to 2012, he served as the party's regional chairman in Mara Region.[4]

In April 2012, he was elected as one of the nine members of the East African Legislative Assembly representing Tanzania. He received 123 votes from Tanzanian Members of Parliament.[8] [9]

In an interview with Mwananchi in March 2015, he neither confirmed nor denied, his interest in the presidency in the forthcoming general elections.[3] [10]

Personal life

He is the son of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president and "father of the Nation". He is a member of the Catholic Church.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Member of Parliament CV . Parliament of Tanzania . 8 March 2015.
  2. Web site: EALA Member: Makongoro Nyerere . East African Legislative Assembly . 8 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122900/http://www.eala.org/quick-links/3rd/437-hon-charles-m-nyerere-tanzania.html . 2 April 2015 . dead .
  3. News: Majani . Florence . 6 March 2015 . Makongoro Nyerere afunguka urais . Mwananchi . 8 March 2015 .
  4. News: Nsanzugwanko . Theopista . 26 April 2014 . Makongoro Nyerere: Muungano uko damuni mwa wananchi . HabariLeo . 8 March 2015 .
  5. Book: Godfrey Mwakikagile. Tanzania Under Mwalimu Nyerere: Reflections on an African Statesman. 2006. Intercontinental Books. 978-0-9802534-9-8. 123–.
  6. News: Mngumi . Gaudensia . 22 December 2012 . …ni jimbo lenye ushindani wa kihistoria . Nipashe . 8 March 2015 .
  7. Web site: Mainland Politics . 1 September 2001 . Tanzanian Affairs . 8 March 2015.
  8. News: Majaliwa . Christopher . 18 April 2012 . Bunge picks EALA members . Daily News . 8 March 2015.
  9. News: Ikonko . Nicodemus . 22 April 2012 . I will rekindle Nyerere's dream of a strong EAC . Daily News . 8 March 2015 .
  10. News: 8 March 2015 . Race for Ikulu: The Makongoro factor . The Citizen . 8 March 2015 .