Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina

In a landmark decision Thursday, the High Court of Tanzania overturned the disqualification of opposition presidential candidate Luhaga Mpina, ruling that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted unconstitutionally and violated his and his party’s right to be heard. The ruling, delivered on September 11, 2025, ordered the electoral commission to allow Mpina, of the ACT Wazalendo party, to be registered as a candidate for the October 29 general election.

Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina, who was born on 5 May 1975, is a Tanzanian politician and Member of Parliament for Kisesa constituency since 2005. In August 2025, he left the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and joined the Alliance for Change and Transparency.

He began his education at Mwandu Itinje Primary School between 1983 and 1989, before progressing to Meatu Secondary School, where he attained his Certificate of Secondary Education in 1994. He later joined Karatu Secondary School, earning his Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education in 1997. Hon. Mpina went on to pursue higher education at Mzumbe University, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and Finance. To strengthen his expertise, he furthered his studies in the United Kingdom at the University of Strathclyde, where he obtained a Master of Science in Finance in 2010.

His career began in the private sector as Chief Inspector at S & C Ginning Ltd, Meatu and Maswa Zonal Office, before joining public administration in Meatu District as Ward Executive Officer in 1999. He later served as Acting Trade Officer, Accountant II, and Acting Supplies Officer in the District Executive Director’s office, gaining significant experience in governance and financial management.

Hon. Mpina’s political career took shape in 2005 when he was first elected as Member of Parliament for Kisesa Constituency under the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. He has retained the seat for four consecutive terms, from 2005 to the present. Within Parliament, he has played an active role in several key committees, including Economics and Finance, Investment and Trade, Public Organisations Accounts, Industries, Trade and Environment, and the Budget Committee. He has also chaired the Economic Affairs, Industries and Trade Committee of Parliament as well as the Economic, Trade and Industry Committee. 

Within CCM, he was an active member since the early 2000s, serving in various capacities, including Chairman of the Youth League in Meatu District, Chairperson of UVCCM–Meatu, and member of both the District and Simiyu Political Committees. In addition to his parliamentary and party roles, Hon. Mpina has served as Commissioner at the Tanzania Commission for Universities and contributed to policymaking in higher education between 2009 and 2015.

Beyond Tanzania’s borders, Hon. Mpina represented the country at the Pan African Parliament between 2010 and 2015, where he served on the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee. He was appointed Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office for Union and Environment in 2015, before being elevated to serve as Minister of Livestock and Fisheries from 2017 to 2020.