Tanzania: IFJ regrets the death of journalist Timothy Kitundu

The Interim General Secretary of the Journalists Workers’ Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA), Comrade Timothy Kitundu, died on Tuesday, 19 February, in Dar es Salaam. Kitundu was said to be sick for some time. He was very much instrumental in the revival of the journalists union in Tanzania. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) wants to honour his memory and sends condolences to his friends and family.

Timothy Kitundu

JOWUTA said that Comrade Timothy Kitundu will be remembered as a very humble man who was dedicated to helping other people, especially the young journalists. His efforts helped journalists in Tanzania to reorganise and strengthen their union.

The General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ),  Anthony Bellanger, noted that the IFJ had recognised the significant role that Kitundu had played since 2014 in helping to revitalise the union, following the deregistration of the Tanzania Union of Journalists (TUJ). “On behalf of the IFJ we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Timothy Kitundu, the members of JOWUTA and all media community in Tanzania”.

The President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Alsadiq Ibrahim Alrizagi, said that Timothy Kitundu was a “committed journalist and trade unionist who wanted the very best for his colleagues and had demonstrated this through his consistent struggle to ensure that JOWUTA is registered to look into the welfare of journalists in Tanzania”.

Comrade Timothy Kitundu was buried on Thursday 21 February in Dar es Salaam. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

For more Information, please contact the IFJ - Africa Office

1st Floor, Maison de la Presse, 5 Rue X Corniche, Medina,

BP 64257, Dakar, Senegal

Tel: +221- 33 867 95 86/87; Fax: +221- 33 827 02