Viral video showing Tanzanian police roughing up disabled protester sparks outrage

Tanzanian police have come under fire after a viral video showed officers using excessive force during a protest, including the rough arrest of a person living with disability and a middle-aged woman.

The footage, widely circulated on social media, captures police dispersing worshippers with teargas canisters and arresting several demonstrators.

In one distressing scene, an officer is seen forcefully dragging a person with disability into a police vehicle, while another officer aggressively shoves a woman into a separate car, sparking widespread outrage online.

The protests followed the government’s controversial move to deregister the Ufufuo na Uzima (Resurrection and Life) Church.

VIDEO:

Jeshi la limelazimika kutumia mabomu ya machozi kutawanya waumini wa wa Kanisa la Ufufuo na Uzima (Glory Of Christ Tanzania Church).

Waumini hao walikuwa wanaandamana kwenye njia ya Morogoro Road wakiwa na mabango yenye jumbe mbalimbali. pic.twitter.com/2vsUpiD30f

— Jambo TV (@Jambotv_) June 15, 2025

On June 2, 2025, Registrar of Civil Societies Emmanuel Kihampa announced the church’s cancellation, citing politically charged sermons in violation of Section 337 of the Societies Act, according to Mwananchi Digital.

Since the announcement, the church premises have been under tight police watch. Although the number of officers decreased over time, access to the premises remained restricted by barricade tape. The church has since taken legal action against the government, with the court case still ongoing.

Despite the restrictions, on June 14, Bishop Josephat Gwajima—who also serves as Kawe MP (CCM)—urged followers to gather, quoting Hebrews 10:25 in a social media post to justify the assembly.

The following day, on Sunday, June 15, 2025, congregants held a peaceful protest near the church, holding placards reading “Uhuru wa Kuabudu” (“Freedom of Worship”) and singing gospel songs calling for the reopening of their church.

Mzozo Mkali umeibuka baina ya Waumini wa Kanisa la Ufufuo na Uzima (Glory Of Christ Tanzania Church) na jeshi la polisi.

Mzozo huo ni baada ya jeshi la polisi kuwataka waondoke eneo walilokuwa wakiabudia na kutawanyika jambo ambalo waumini hao wamelikataa. pic.twitter.com/LmHnwZaWw1

— MwanaHabari (@MwanaHabariNews) June 15, 2025

However, their peaceful demonstrations were met with force, drawing sharp criticism across various platforms.

“Is that a person living with disability being roughed up like that? What’s wrong with Mama [President Samia]?” one user posted on X.

Another added, “Si sawa hata kidogo!”. An Instagram user echoed the sentiment, writing, “The power belongs to the people, not the police. We have to end this brutality.”

This comes amid public discourse on police brutality in Kenya, following the death of Albert Ojwang' in custody. 

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has formally stepped aside from his role as investigations intensify into the controversial death of Ojwang’, whose arrest followed a defamation complaint allegedly filed by the senior officer.

In a statement issued Monday, Lagat said his decision was made “in good and conscious thought” of the weight of his office and the public interest surrounding the case.

“I have today opted to step aside from the office of the Deputy Inspector General – Kenya Police Service pending completion of investigations,” said Lagat. “The functions of the office will henceforth be performed by my deputy until the investigations are concluded.”