This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 25, 2020, Tanzania was set to commemorate its Heroes' Day, a traditional day to honor soldiers who fought for the country. However, President John Magufuli's office announced that the celebrations would not go ahead as planned.
According to a statement from the State House, President Magufuli had opted not to proceed with the event, which was scheduled to be held in Dodoma. The presidential communications director explained that the president had instead asked citizens to seek peace and God's favor.
Magufuli instructed that the money set aside for the day's celebrations be used to build roads in Dodoma. This was not the first time the president had suspended the day's celebrations; in 2018, he had also directed funds set aside for the event to be channeled to development projects.
It is worth noting that the president had previously cancelled Independence Day in 2015 and the 2016 Union Day, instead asking citizens to use the opportunity to clean up the country.
President Magufuli's decision to cancel the Heroes' Day celebrations has sparked interest, with many wondering why the event was cancelled. However, the presidential communications director did not provide a reason for the cancellation.
