Tanzania’s veteran politician, diplomat, and former East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Amb. Juma Volter Mwapachu, has passed away at the age of 82. The news of his passing was confirmed on Friday, March 28, through various media reports. Mwapachu, a longtime member of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), it is reported, died while receiving treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital. EAC Secretary General Veronica M. Nduva, on Saturday, March 29, extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the Government of Tanzania on his passing, adding that Amb Mwapachu “was an exceptional leader, and his contributions to regional development will always be remembered.” I would like to take this opportunity, on my behalf and on behalf of the East African Community, to extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of Ambassador Mwapachu. Ambassador Mwapachu was an... pic.twitter.com/p4amQYRe0N — Veronica M. Nduva, CBS (@SGNduva) March 29, 2025 Nduva said that Amb Mwapachu will be remembered for his attention to staff welfare and the effective management of the implementation of the Customs Union Protocol signed in 2005, as well as overseeing the negotiations of the Common Market Protocol until its signing in 2009. She said Amb Mwapachu was a strong proponent of cooperation among East African countries, working diligently to ensure that the goals of our community were achieved. “Indeed, he had great visions for the people of East Africa.” “Amb. Mwapachu was a visionary leader and a true believer in a people-centered community, whose unwavering commitment to the integration process in East Africa was nothing short of inspiring,” the EAC Secretariat noted in a post on X. “His relentless efforts to champion the realization of the Customs Union and to facilitate the negotiations for the Common Market Protocol have laid a solid foundation for regional collaboration and economic growth. His legacy will continue to guide us as we strive to build a more integrated and prosperous East Africa. His dedication to putting the people of East Africa at the heart of our integration efforts was evident in all his endeavors.” @jumuiya join our brothers and sisters of the United Republic of Tanzania in mourning the death of Ambassador Juma Volter Mwapachu Amb. Mwapachu was a visionary leader and a true believer in a people-centered community, whose unwavering commitment to the integration process in... pic.twitter.com/IKkfMDIW8M — East African Community (@jumuiya) March 29, 2025 Born on September 27, 1942, in Mwanza, Mwapachu was a prominent statesman who held several key leadership positions in Tanzania and the region. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and the country’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. In April 2006, he was appointed Secretary-General of the East African Community, succeeding Uganda’s Amanya Mushega. He held the position until 2011, playing a key role in advancing regional integration efforts. Beyond his diplomatic work, Mwapachu was actively involved in multiple sectors. He chaired the Board of Directors of the Tanzania Railways Corporation, the Confederation of Tanzania Industries, and the East African Business Council. Additionally, he was a commissioner of the Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform Commission and contributed to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 as a member of several presidential commissions. A trained lawyer, Mwapachu graduated from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1969 with a law degree. He later pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law, International Institutions, and Diplomacy at the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy in New Delhi, India. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Dar es Salaam awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Literature (Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa) in 2005. He also held honorary degrees in Literature from the University of Dar es Salaam and in Political Science from the National University of Rwanda. Mwapachu was also an advocate for knowledge sharing and intellectual growth. He authored several books and articles on Tanzania’s transformation and development.
