High Court to Hear Case Challenging Cancellation of Union Celebrations
Dodoma. The High Court’s Main Registry in Dodoma has agreed to proceed with a case challenging the decision to cancel this year’s Union celebrations filed against the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Attorney General.
Presiding Judge Juliana Masabo on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, directed the Government to file its counter-affidavit by December 5, 2025, and set December 8 at 2pm as the hearing date.
The court upheld submissions that the President may be sued without prior notice in cases challenging executive decisions, including the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day celebrations.
Judge Masabo also underscored that although the matter carries a certificate of urgency, the procedures governing urgent applications must still be observed.
Earlier, State Attorney Yohana Marco had requested seven days from today to file the Government’s counter-affidavit, a deadline that would fall on December 9.
The request was strongly opposed by the applicant, who argued that such an extension would defeat the very purpose of the application.
"Your Lordship, I object to that request. If the State Attorney’s prayer is granted, the right being pursued will be lost because the seven days fall on the ninth, which is the date in dispute. I ask that he be ordered to file the counter-affidavit within 24 hours," the submission stated.
The case follows a statement issued by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba on November 24, 2025, announcing that the President had cancelled Tanganyika’s Independence Day celebrations and directed that the funds earmarked for the event be redirected towards repairing public infrastructure damaged during the October 29 chaos.
On November 26, 2025, an application seeking leave to institute judicial review proceedings against the President’s decision was filed. The matter was initially set to be heard ex parte before Judge Masabo.
However, upon receiving information about the application, the Office of the Solicitor General appeared in court, objected to the matter proceeding ex parte, and requested an adjournment to allow time to obtain and study the documents.
The application seeks leave to challenge the legality of the President’s decision and is requesting three substantive court orders: a declaration that the cancellation of the Independence Day celebrations was unlawful and without merit; an order compelling the President to fulfill his statutory obligations; and a prohibitory order restraining him accordingly.
The application argues that as a Tanzanian citizen, there exists a right under the law and Government procedures to participate in and benefit from national celebrations, and that the cancellation infringes upon that right.
