Paul Christian Makonda (born 1982) is a Tanzanian politician from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. Known for his aggressive, populist, and highly controversial leadership style, he has held several key administrative and political positions, most notably as the powerful Regional Commissioner (RC) of Dar es Salaam under President John Magufuli.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Paul Christian Makonda |
| Born | February 15, 1982, Mwanza Region, Tanzania |
| Political Party | Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) |
| Current Role (as of Dec 2025) | Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports; Member of Parliament for Arusha City |
| Former Key Role | Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam (2016–2020) |
| Education | B.A. in Economics and Community Development; Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership |
| Controversy | US Sanctions for alleged gross human rights violations; anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns. |
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
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Student Leader: Makonda began his rise as a student activist, serving as the President of the Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Students Organization (TAHLISO).
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Constituent Assembly: He gained initial national attention as a member of the Constituent Assembly (2014–2014) tasked with drafting a new constitution, where his populist style and strong rhetoric distinguished him.
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District Commissioner: He served briefly as the District Commissioner of Kinondoni, known for implementing various community-focused projects such as free transportation for teachers and health screening campaigns.
The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (2016–2020)
Makonda’s profile exploded in 2016 when he was appointed by President John Magufuli as the Regional Commissioner of the massive commercial hub, Dar es Salaam.
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“Bulldozer” Politics: Under Magufuli’s administration, Makonda became known as the “hard man” or “enforcer,” adopting a no-nonsense, populist, and confrontational approach to governance. He was praised by supporters for his direct involvement in problem-solving, construction of educational and health facilities, and his public confrontation of corrupt or inefficient officials.
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High-Profile Campaigns: He initiated several controversial, high-profile campaigns, including a 2017 anti-drug campaign that involved the public naming of suspects, and an aggressive crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community, threatening mass arrests.
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Denial of COVID-19: During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Makonda echoed the rhetoric of President Magufuli, proclaiming the disease had been eradicated from the city through national prayer, disregarding scientific evidence.
Sanctions and Later Roles
Makonda’s controversial tenure led to significant international consequences.
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US Sanctions: In January 2020, the United States Department of State banned Makonda and his wife from entering the U.S., citing his involvement in “gross violations of human rights,” including oppression of the political opposition and targeting marginalized individuals.
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Party and Government Roles (Post-Magufuli): After leaving the RC role in 2020, Makonda made a strategic return to active politics.11 Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, he was appointed to key roles within the ruling party, serving as the Secretary for Ideology and Publicity (CCM Spokesperson) (2023–2024), before being appointed as Regional Commissioner for Arusha (2024–2025).
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Current Ministerial Role: Most recently, in November 2025, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, and is currently a Member of Parliament for Arusha City.
Paul Makonda remains one of Tanzania’s most polarizing political figures, known for his ability to mobilize public sentiment and his continued capacity to navigate high-stakes political shifts within the CCM.