[PRESSWIRE] Arusha, Tanzania – 3 February 2026 — Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba on Sunday urged parents and communities to strengthen the upbringing of children and young people, warning that moral decline could threaten the country’s unity and long-standing stability.
Speaking at a church service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Northern Central Diocese in Arusha, Nchemba said respect for elders, leaders and social institutions was essential to preserving peace in the East African nation.
“Moral decay, if left unaddressed, can gradually erode the foundations of our society,” he said, citing online abuse, declining respect for authority and weakening family values as emerging challenges.
Nchemba also cautioned against interference in religious affairs, saying faith institutions play a critical role in promoting ethics, tolerance and social cohesion.
Tanzania has historically enjoyed political stability relative to many countries in the region, a record officials often attribute to social harmony, religious coexistence and strong communal values.
The prime minister said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government had strengthened cooperation with religious organisations, including reviewing laws to ensure faith-based institutions are not treated as commercial entities, granting tax exemptions and resolving disputes that had led to the closure of some church bank accounts.
“These steps reflect the government’s commitment to working with religious institutions for the good of society,” Nchemba said.
During the service, he announced that President Samia had donated 50 million Tanzanian shillings ($19,500) towards the construction of a new ELCT cathedral in Arusha, which is expected to accommodate 1,000 worshippers once completed.
The cathedral project, launched in 2021, will include classrooms, offices, an ICT facility and parking space for 200 vehicles.
Bishop Godson Mollel of the ELCT praised the president’s leadership and urged young people to remain peaceful and engaged in nation-building, saying the church would continue to support efforts to promote moral values and development.
The service was attended by senior government officials, religious leaders and worshippers from Arusha and surrounding areas.
– Tanzania has a long-standing tradition of religious coexistence, with Christian and Muslim communities playing an influential role in social cohesion, moral guidance and community development.
– The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) is one of the country’s largest Christian denominations, with millions of followers and an extensive network of schools, health facilities and social programmes.
– President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has prioritised engagement with faith-based organisations as partners in nation-building, social welfare and peacebuilding.
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