“Mwenge wa Uhuru,” or the “Freedom Torch,” is a significant national symbol in Tanzania. It was first lit on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1961 by the first President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, as a symbol of freedom and light for the country and the African continent. The torch signifies the hope of freedom, unity, and development.
Each year, the Mwenge wa Uhuru is carried around the country, symbolically spreading messages of peace, love, unity, and development. This torch relay is part of a national event called the Uhuru Torch Race (Mbio za Mwenge wa Uhuru), where the torch travels through various regions, and community activities are conducted in its honor. These activities often include inaugurating development projects, promoting health and education initiatives, and encouraging civic responsibility.
The torch relay typically begins in early April and culminates in October, around the time of Tanzania’s Independence Day on December 9th. The Mwenge wa Uhuru continues to be an important cultural and political event in Tanzania, embodying the country’s commitment to progress and unity.