Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF)

Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces are the armed forces of the United Republic of Tanzania comprising of multidisciplinary forces as:-

Land Forces Command
Air Forces Command
Navy Forces Command

The Establishment of TPDF:

The Tanzania Peoples Defence Force, TPDF was established On September 1, 1964 Under National Defence Act for the purpose of defending the territorial integrity, state sovereignty and safeguard National interests of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Vision

Aims at maintaining a small armed forces composed of highly skilled officers and men equipped with modern equipment necessary for national defence.

Mission

To defend the state sovereignty, safeguard National interests of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Aid to civil authority.

Historical Background
Before colonial Period:
Before European invasion, African Societies had their own systems of government lead by the tribe chiefs, every tribe had its own defensive army. These armies had two tasks: to fight other tribes in order to extend their chiefdoms or to fight the invaders. The traditional armies existed up to the arrival of German Colonialist.

During Colonial Period:
The Germans established German East African army in 1891. It started with few Soldiers from German assisted by Africans. During World War one (WWI), this army was expanded to contain Officers and Men amounting to 12,000 mainly from Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi.

After World War One Tanganyika became the British protectorate under the League of Nations in 1919. The Britain Transformed the German East African Army into King’s African Riffles (KAR), Composed mainly of infantry. The KAR army were required for protection of British government interest. The KAR was officially established in Tanganyika in 1920 as part of the larger British army for East and Central Africa.

After Independence :
In 1961 Tanganyika became Independent and KAR was transformed into Tanganyika Riffles (TR). Though the name was changed, but the organization of the TR remained just as that of KAR.
This situation contradicted the roles of the new army and lead to Mutiny of the TR in Colito Barracks (now Lugalo Barracks) on 20th January, 1964.The Mutiny lead to the birth of Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF). On 25th January, 1964 the President and Commander in Chief, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere dissolved TR after the mutiny.
The youths from the ruling party (Tanganyika African National Union) and National Services were urged to form new Army.
Many youths joined the new Army and their training started on 3rd March, 1964 and ended on 01st September, 1964 Those were the first Soldiers of Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF).