Edward Lowassa
Encyclopedia
Edward Ngoyai Lowassa is a former Prime Minister of Tanzania
, serving under President Jakaya Kikwete
. He took office on 30 December 2005 and resigned on 7 February 2008 following a parliamentary committee report on corruption within the cabinet.
and a Masters Degree in Development Studies from The University of Bath
in the United Kingdom
. Lowassa did his secondary education at Ilboru Secondary School which is also called SPECIAL SCHOOL alongside with other political figures in Tanzania including Tuntemeke Sanga, Fredrick Sumaye and Prof Hubert Kairuki.
's second term. He unsuccessfully sought the nomination of Chama Cha Mapinduzi
(CCM) as its presidential candidate in 1995 and was then a backbencher in Parliament until he was appointed Minister for State, Vice President's Office — Environment & Poverty in 1997. Following the Tanzanian general election, 2000 he was appointed Minister of Water and Livestock Development. He gained a high profile as a minister of Water and Livestock Development, but chose not to seek the CCM presidential nomination in 2005, to the surprise of many observers. The CCM chose Jakaya Kikwete
as its candidate, and after Kikwete won the 2005 election he announced his nomination of Lowassa for the position of Prime Minister on 29 December 2005. Parliament overwhelmingly confirmed the nomination, with 312 votes in favour and two opposed, and Lowassa was sworn in on 30 December.
Upon resigning, Lowassa informed the Tanzania Parliament that he had tendered his resignation to the President after a report was issued by a Parliamentary Committee investigating the awarding of a contract for the supply of electricity to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO
). Lowassa has an extensive background in both parliamentary issues and government affairs. Lowassa is the first Prime Minister to have been forced to resign by a fraud scandal in the history of Tanzania.
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, serving under President Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
. He took office on 30 December 2005 and resigned on 7 February 2008 following a parliamentary committee report on corruption within the cabinet.
Education
Lowassa received his undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Dar es SalaamUniversity of Dar es Salaam
The University of Dar es Salaam is a university in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. The university was born out of a decision taken in 1970 to split the then University of East Africa into three independent universities; Makerere University , University of Nairobi and University of Dar es...
and a Masters Degree in Development Studies from The University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Lowassa did his secondary education at Ilboru Secondary School which is also called SPECIAL SCHOOL alongside with other political figures in Tanzania including Tuntemeke Sanga, Fredrick Sumaye and Prof Hubert Kairuki.
Career
Lowassa served as Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office during President Ali Hassan MwinyiAli Hassan Mwinyi
Ali Hassan Mwinyi is a Tanzanian politician. He was the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995. Previous posts include Interior Minister and Vice President...
's second term. He unsuccessfully sought the nomination of Chama Cha Mapinduzi
Chama Cha Mapinduzi
The Chama cha Mapinduzi is the ruling political party of Tanzania.- History :The party was created February 5, 1977, under the leadership of Julius Nyerere as the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union , the then ruling party in Tanganyika, and the Afro-Shirazi Party , the then ruling...
(CCM) as its presidential candidate in 1995 and was then a backbencher in Parliament until he was appointed Minister for State, Vice President's Office — Environment & Poverty in 1997. Following the Tanzanian general election, 2000 he was appointed Minister of Water and Livestock Development. He gained a high profile as a minister of Water and Livestock Development, but chose not to seek the CCM presidential nomination in 2005, to the surprise of many observers. The CCM chose Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
as its candidate, and after Kikwete won the 2005 election he announced his nomination of Lowassa for the position of Prime Minister on 29 December 2005. Parliament overwhelmingly confirmed the nomination, with 312 votes in favour and two opposed, and Lowassa was sworn in on 30 December.
Upon resigning, Lowassa informed the Tanzania Parliament that he had tendered his resignation to the President after a report was issued by a Parliamentary Committee investigating the awarding of a contract for the supply of electricity to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO
Tanesco
Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited is a Tanzanian parastatal organisation established in 1964. It is wholly owned by the government of Tanzania...
). Lowassa has an extensive background in both parliamentary issues and government affairs. Lowassa is the first Prime Minister to have been forced to resign by a fraud scandal in the history of Tanzania.
Positions held
He held various positions in the government since the late 1980s:- Managing Director - Arusha International Conference CentreArusha International Conference CentreThe Arusha International Conference Centre located in Arusha, is the leading conference venue in Tanzania. It is 100% owned by the Government of Tanzania; however, operating without receiving any subsidies....
, 1989–1990 - Minister for State, Prime Minister's Office and First Vice President (Judiciary & Parliamentary Affairs), 1990–1993
- Minister of Lands, Human Settlement Development,1993–1995
- Minister for State, Vice President's Office — Environment & Poverty, 1997–2000
- Minister of Water and Livestock Development, 2000–2005
- Member of Parliament — Monduli Constituency, 1990–Present
- Prime Minister, 2005–2008