Several Tanzanian celebrities have found themselves in the crossfire as violent protests continue to sweep across the country following Tuesday’s disputed general elections.
The unrest, which appears to target individuals perceived to be pro-government, has left businesses destroyed and public figures scrambling to distance themselves from political affiliations.
Among the first casualties is celebrated singer Shilole, whose popular restaurant Shishi Foods, was burned down in the chaos.
An electronics shop belonging to Billnas was also ravaged and also a clothing store owned by influencer Sharobaro wa Instagram broken into, with goods looted by unidentified youths.
The situation has also forced some celebrities to go silent or publicly rebrand their political identities.
Popular media personality Mwijaku, who had earlier expressed interest in vying for a political seat before withdrawing, deleted multiple social media posts linking him to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Meanwhile, outspoken rapper Roma Mkatoliki, known for his fiery anti-government songs, took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that his fundraising accounts had been frozen. His latest hit, “Teremsha Bunduki,” has been trending online; praised by fans but criticized by authorities for its defiant tone. Roma, long regarded as one of the few artistes willing to challenge the establishment, said the attacks on celebrities show “a country at war with its conscience.”
The tensions escalated after Tanzanian police imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, following violent demonstrations over an election widely expected to hand President Samia Suluhu Hassan another term.
The protests were fueled by the disqualification of two major opposition candidates, a move that opposition supporters called “an assault on democracy.”
Videos circulating on social media show young protesters pelting security officers with stones, burning tires, and setting a petrol station ablaze.
Digital rights watchdog NetBlocks reported widespread internet disruptions across the country, saying authorities appeared to be restricting online communication as the situation worsened.
By Thursday morning, police patrols had been intensified in several neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma, with security forces urging calm.