John Magufuli

==Presidency==
[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of Tanzania John Magufuli.jpg|thumb|right|Magufuli with Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], 10 July 2016]]

After taking office, Magufuli immediately began to impose [[Austerity|measures]] to curb government spending, such as barring unnecessary foreign travel by government officials, using cheaper vehicles and board rooms for transport and meetings respectively, shrinking the delegation for a tour of the Commonwealth from 50 people to 4, dropping its sponsorship of a [[World AIDS Day]] exhibition in favour of purchasing AIDS medication, banning officials from flying first and business class, and discouraging lavish events and parties by public institutions (such as cutting the budget of a state dinner inaugurating the new parliamentary session).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/11/26/new-tanzanian-president-john-magufuli-makes-radical-changes/|title=New Tanzanian President John Magufuli makes radical changes|date=26 November 2015|work=Lusaka Times|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Magufuli reduced his own salary from US$15,000 to US$4,000 per month.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ristel|last=Tchounand|url=https://afrique.latribune.fr/politique/2017-10-04/tanzanie-touchant-4-fois-moins-de-que-son-predecesseur-le-president-magufuli-devoile-son-salaire-752872.html|title=Tanzanie: touchant 4 fois moins que son prédécesseur, le président Magufuli dévoile son salaire|work=La Tribune Afrique|language=fr|date=4 October 2017|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

Magufuli suspended the country's Independence Day festivities for 2015, in favour of a national cleanup campaign to help reduce the spread of [[cholera]]. He personally participated in the cleanup efforts, having stated that it was "so shameful that we are spending huge amounts of money to celebrate 54 years of independence when our people are dying of cholera". The cost savings were to be invested in improving hospitals and sanitation in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/1840340-2969570-xr3dv6z/index.html|title=Magufuli strikes again: Uhuru Day scrapped|date=24 November 2015|work=The Citizen|location=Tanzania|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/01/tanzania-cost-cutting-president-john-magufuli-twitter|title=What would Tanzania's cost-cutting president do? Twitter responds|first=Ndesanjo|last=Macha|date=1 December 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=21 March 2021|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34909111 |title=Tanzania's Magufuli scraps independence day celebration |work=BBC News|date=24 November 2015|access-date=5 November 2015}}</ref>

On 10 December 2015, more than a month after taking office, Magufuli announced his [[Magufuli cabinet|cabinet]]. Its size was reduced from 30 ministries to 19 to help reduce costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/570860/tanzanias-magufuli-finally-names-his-cabinet-and-its-half-the-size-of-his-predecessors/|title=Tanzania's Magufuli finally names his cabinet—and it's almost half the size of his predecessor's|first=Omar|last=Mohammed|date=11 December 2015|website=Quartz|access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/africa/magufuli-appoints-lean-cabinet-of-19-bans-ministers-retreat-to-cut-costs-1152728|first=Felix|last=Lazaro|title=Magufuli appoints lean Cabinet of 19, bans ministers' retreat to cut costs|work=Nation|location=Nairobi|date=11 December 2015|access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>

On 12 April 2016, Magufuli conducted his first [[List of presidential trips made by John Magufuli|foreign visit]] to Rwanda, where he met his counterpart [[Paul Kagame]] and inaugurated the new bridge and one-stop border post at [[Rusumo Bridge|Rusumo]]. Magufuli also attended the memorial for the 22nd anniversary of the [[Rwandan genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201604130583.html|title=Tanzania: Magufuli's Visit to Rwanda to Positively Impact On Dar, Kigali|via=AllAfrica|access-date=21 March 2021|url-access=subscription|date=12 April 2016|work=[[Daily News (Tanzania)|Daily News]]|location=Dar es Salaam}}</ref>

In July 2016, Tanzania banned [[Hookah|shisha]] smoking, with Magufuli citing its health effects among youth as the reason.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36715088|title=Tanzania bans shisha pipe smoking|date=5 July 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref> In March 2017, Tanzania banned the export of unprocessed ores, in an effort to encourage domestic [[smelting]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/fe0a33b6-6e06-11e7-bfeb-33fe0c5b7eaa|title=Acacia warns of mine closure unless Tanzania lifts export ban|website=Financial Times|access-date=25 April 2018|url-access=limited|location=London|first=Neil|last=Hume|date=21 July 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, Magufuli issued a directive ordering the suspension of [[Ship registration|registration]] for foreign merchant ships, following recent incidents surrounding the seizure of overseas shipments of illegal goods (particularly drugs and weapons) being transported under the flag. Tanzania and Zanzibar had gained reputations for being [[Flag of convenience|flags of convenience]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2018-01-26-00-tanzanias-flags-of-inconvenience|title=Tanzania's flags of inconvenience|last=Allison|first=Simon|work=The M&G Online|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/55513-lawyers-back-govt-curb-on-foreign-ship-registers|title=Lawyers back govt curb on foreign ship registers|last=Kapama|first=Faustine|website=[[Daily News (Tanzania)|Daily News]]|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012129/https://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/55513-lawyers-back-govt-curb-on-foreign-ship-registers|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=dead|location=Dar es Salaam}}</ref> In the same year, Magufuli introduced a free education for all the government schools in 2016 without paying fees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://africatimes.com/2016/02/09/free-education-in-tanzania/|title=Free education in Tanzania|work=Africa Times|date=9 February 2016|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

The country has amended the laws governing the award of mining contracts, giving itself the right to renegotiate or terminate them in the event of proven fraud. The new legislation also removes the right of mining companies to resort to international arbitration. The tax dispute with [[Acacia Mining]], accused of having significantly undervalued its gold production for years, finally resulted in an agreement: Tanzania obtains 16% of the shares in the mines held by the multinational.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Why-Tanzania-deserves-a-bigger-share-in-Barrick-Gold-deal/1840340-5325912-knoybgz/index.html|title=Why Tanzania deserves a bigger share in Barrick Gold deal|work=The Citizen|date=26 October 2019|location=Tanzania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105193135/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Why-Tanzania-deserves-a-bigger-share-in-Barrick-Gold-deal/1840340-5325912-knoybgz/index.html|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=dead|first=Louis|last=Kolumbia}}</ref> In May 2020, Acacia Mining paid $100M to the government to end dispute as the first tranche of the $300M.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Tanzania-receives-initial--100-million-payment-from-Barrick-/1840340-5564496-14sqf5qz/index.html|title=Tanzania receives initial $100 million payment from Barrick|work=The Citizen|date=26 May 2020|access-date=21 March 2021|location=Tanzania}}</ref> However, this anti-corruption policy has also "frightened investors, who now fear they will have to deal with Tanzanian justice, and weakened growth", according to [[Zitto Kabwe]], one of the leaders of the opposition [[Alliance for Change and Transparency]] (ACT). With one of the highest economic growth rates on the African continent (5.8% in 2018 and an estimated 6% for 2019 according to the IMF), the Tanzanian government is embarking on a vast programme of infrastructure development, particularly rail infrastructure.<ref name="Servant">{{cite news|title=Tanzania's port out of Africa|first=Jean-Christophe|last=Servant|work=Le Monde Diplomatique|language=en|date=February 2019|access-date=21 March 2021|translator-first=George|translator-last=Miller|url=https://mondediplo.com/2019/02/11tanzania-port}}</ref> The small fishing port of [[Bagamoyo]], to which US$10 billion of investment has been allocated, is expected to become the largest port in Africa by 2030.<ref name="Servant" />

===Infrastructure===
Magufuli's government worked on various infrastructure projects targeting economic development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://constructionreviewonline.com/2020/03/top-ongoing-mega-projects-in-tanzania/|title=Top ongoing mega projects in Tanzania|work=Construction Review Online|date=4 December 2020|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Projects include the addition of half a dozen [[Air Tanzania]] planes as a way of reviving the national carrier,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Atcl-expansion-on-course-as-country-gets-dreamliner/2560-5325716-11yrthnz/index.html|title=Air Tanzania expansion on course as country receives Dreamliner|work=The East African|date=26 October 2019|first=Bob|last=Karashani|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> the expansion of Terminal III of [[Julius Nyerere International Airport]], construction of [[Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway]], Mfugale Flyover, [[Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station]], Ubungo Interchange, new [[Selander Bridge]], [[Kigongo-Busisi Bridge]], Huduma Bora Za afya, Vituo Bora Za Afya, expansion of [[Port of Dar es Salaam]], Dodoma Bus Terminal, [[liquefied natural gas]] plant, water project, wind farm project, Uhuru Hospital project, gold refinery plant, and [[Magufuli Bus Terminal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Tanzanian-envoys-commend-President-Magufuli-s-efforts/1840340-5245678-1k5b5c/index.html|title=Tanzanian envoys commend President Magufuli's efforts on projects|work=The Citizen|date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802204600/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Tanzanian-envoys-commend-President-Magufuli-s-efforts/1840340-5245678-1k5b5c/index.html|archive-date=2 August 2020|url-status=dead|location=Tanzania}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theexchange.africa/countries/tanzania/tanzanias-major-projects-set-to-boost-the-economy-by-2025/|title=Tanzania's major projects set to boost the economy by 2025|work=The Exchange|access-date=21 March 2021|first=Salum|last=Mohamed|location=East Africa|date=11 January 2019|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802211030/https://theexchange.africa/countries/tanzania/tanzanias-major-projects-set-to-boost-the-economy-by-2025/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Magufuli--this-is-why-Tazara-Flyover-is-named-after-Mfugale/1840340-4780650-jxldy0/index.html|title=Magufuli: this is why Tazara Flyover is named after Mfugale|work=The Citizen|date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701234304/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Magufuli--this-is-why-Tazara-Flyover-is-named-after-Mfugale/1840340-4780650-jxldy0/index.html|archive-date=1 July 2020|location=Tanzania|first=Khalifa|last=Said}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Work-set-to-begin-on-new-Dar-es-Salaam-bridge/1840340-4677242-128ttw5/index.html|title=Work set to begin on new Dar es Salaam bridge|work=The Citizen|date=23 July 2018|location=Tanzania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802170154/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Work-set-to-begin-on-new-Dar-es-Salaam-bridge/1840340-4677242-128ttw5/index.html|archive-date=2 August 2020|first=Alex|last=Malanga}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.power-technology.com/features/a-look-at-tanzanias-first-wind-farm/|title=A look at Tanzania's first wind farm|work=Power Technology|date=22 June 2020|first=Ilaria|last=Grasso Macola|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/7/24/tanzania-grants-chinese-firms-licences-to-build-gold-refineries|title=Tanzania grants Chinese firms licences to build gold refineries|work=Al Jazeera|date=24 July 2019|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

Magufuli received the nickname "The Bulldozer" in reference to his roadworks projects, but the term was also used about his moves to reduce spending and corruption within the government.<ref name="economist.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730424-african-socialism-did-not-work-tanzania-last-time-either-john-magufuli|title=John Magufuli is bulldozing the opposition and wrecking the economy|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=21 March 2021|date=21 October 2017}}</ref> Following Magufuli's initial rounds of cuts post-inauguration, the [[hashtag]] "#WhatWouldMagufuliDo" was used by [[Twitter]] users to demonstrate their own austerity measures inspired by the president.<ref name=":0" />

His policies are unusual on a continent where, in general, "corruption and embezzlement of public funds are a way of life" in ruling circles, according to the daily The Citizen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/tanzanie/tanzanie-des-mesures-dausterite-a-tous-les-etages_3066253.html|title = Tanzanie : Des mesures d'austérité à tous les étages|date = 8 December 2015}}</ref>

===Human rights===
[[File:Map showing countries President John Magufuli of Tanzania has visited.svg|thumb|right|World map highlighting countries visited by Magufuli while president]]

Magufuli's government was accused of repressing opposition to his leadership, including laws restricting opposition rallies, the suspension of the Swahili-language ''Mawio'' newspaper in 2016 for publishing "false and inflammatory" reporting regarding the nullification of election results in Zanzibar, threatening to shut down radio and television stations that did not pay licence fees, and a 2018 bill requiring blogs and other forms of online content providers to hold government licences with content restrictions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/01/25/tanzania-loves-its-new-anti-corruption-president-why-is-he-shutting-down-media-outlets/|title=Tanzania loves its new anti-corruption president. Why is he shutting down media outlets?|first1=Ruth|last1=Carlitz|first2=Constantine|last2=Manda|date=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2 April 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1248762/tanzania-social-media-and-blogging-regulations-charge-to-operate-online/|title=Tanzania social media and blogging regulations charge to operate online|last=Dahir|first=Abdi Latif|website=Quartz|date=10 April 2018 |access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34670983|title=Tanzania's John Magufuli in profile|last=Nesoba|first=Ruth|date=24 November 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="economist.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1185367/tanzanias-john-magufuli-imposes-bans-on-foreign-ships-pregnant-schoolgirls-and-public-rallies/|title=The list of bans imposed by Tanzania's populist president just keeps growing|last=Dahir|first=Abdi Latif|website=Quartz|date=22 January 2018|access-date=21 March 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Magufuli's ban on opposition rallies stood for six years until January 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tanzania president lifts 6-year ban on opposition rallies |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/tanzania-president-lifts-6-year-ban-on-opposition-rallies/2023/01/03/832eb95c-8b90-11ed-b86a-2e3a77336b8e_story.html |access-date=2023-01-04 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> His government was publicly criticized by the [[Tanzania Episcopal Conference]] (TEC) for taking measures that suppress constitutional freedoms and, in the view of bishops, represent a threat to national unity.<ref name="CNA2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishops-in-tanzania-denounce-government-for-suppressing-freedoms-71928 |title=Bishops in Tanzania denounce government for suppressing freedoms|work=Catholic News Agency|date=14 February 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018}}</ref> Additionally, he condemned the attempted assassination of opposition leader [[Tundu Lissu]] in 2017 and said he was praying for his recovery.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

People in Tanzania have been arrested for [[cyberbullying]] the president.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 May 2020|title=Tanzanian Comedian Idris Sultan Arrested for 'Cyber-Bullying' President|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/idris-sultan-tanzania-arrested-for-bullying-president/|access-date=21 March 2021|website=OkayAfrica|language=en|first=Rufaro|last=Samanga}}</ref>

==== LGBT intimidation and abuses ====
People convicted of same-sex liaisons in Tanzania can be jailed for up to 30 years. In October 2016, the government banned [[HIV/AIDS]] outreach projects and closed U.S.-funded programs that provide HIV testing, condoms, and medical care to the gay community. The countrywide closure of private HIV clinics began soon afterward. In late 2018, Magufuli initiated a nationwide crackdown, threatening to arrest and deport anyone campaigning for gay rights and making it difficult to find a lawyer who will defend cases of violence against [[LGBTQ]] people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/oct/26/tanzania-illegally-detains-human-rights-lawyers-for-promoting-homosexuality|title=Tanzania illegally detains human rights lawyers for 'promoting homosexuality'|last=van der Zee|first=Bibi|date=26 October 2017|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 November 2018|location=London}}</ref>

[[Paul Makonda]], Magufuli's regional commissioner for [[Dar es Salaam]], stated in 2016: "If there's a homosexual who has a Facebook account, or with an Instagram account, all those who 'follow' him — it is very clear that they are just as guilty as the homosexual".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/tanzania-suspends-us-funded-aids-programs-in-a-new-crackdown-on-gays/2016/11/23/ec6ced6e-ab5c-11e6-8f19-21a1c65d2043_story.html|title=Tanzania suspends U.S.-funded AIDS programs in a new crackdown on gays|first=Kevin|last=Sieff|newspaper=Washington Post|date=23 November 2016|access-date=19 March 2021|url-access=limited}}</ref> Two years later, he announced that a committee of 17 members consisting of police, lawyers and doctors, had been formed to identify homosexuals. Within one day of the announcement authorities reportedly received 5,763 messages from the public, with more than 100 names.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/nov/01/thousands-living-in-fear-after-tanzania-calls-on-public-to-report-gay-people|title=Thousands 'living in fear' after Tanzania calls on public to report gay people|last=Ratcliffe|first=Rebecca|date=1 November 2018|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 November 2018|location=London}}</ref> [[Hamisi Kigwangalla]], the country's deputy health minister, said he supports the use of 'anal exams' to prove whether someone is having gay sex. The test is widely considered to be a violation of human rights by medical experts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2017/6/28/15885748/tanzania-president-homophobic-cows-lgbtq-crackdown|first=Lindsay|last=Maizland|title=Tanzania's president is cracking down on LGBTQ rights. He says cows would approve.|work=Vox|date=28 June 2017|access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="CichowitzRubenstein2018">{{cite journal|last1=Cichowitz|first1=Cody|last2=Rubenstein|first2=Leonard|last3=Beyrer|first3=Chris|title=Forced anal examinations to ascertain sexual orientation and sexual behavior: An abusive and medically unsound practice|journal=PLOS Medicine|volume=15|issue=3|year=2018|pages=e1002536|doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002536|pmid=29547659|pmc=5856262 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Health===
====Birth control====
In September 2018, Magufuli told a rally: "Those going for [[family planning]] are lazy ... they are afraid they will not be able to feed their children. They do not want to work hard to feed a large family and that is why they opt for birth controls and end up with one or two children only."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tanzania-president-john-magufuli-birth-control-lazy-feed-family-a8534316.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tanzania-president-john-magufuli-birth-control-lazy-feed-family-a8534316.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tanzania's president says women using birth control are too 'lazy' to feed a family|work=Independent|first=Maya|last=Oppenheim|date=12 September 2018|location=London|access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/11/africa/tanzania-birth-control-magufuli-intl/|title='Don't use birth control,' Tanzania's President tells women in the country|work=CNN|date=11 September 2018|first=Stephanie|last=Busari|access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref> He urged people not to listen to those advising about birth control, some of it coming from foreigners, because it has sinister motives.<ref name="thecitizen.co.tz">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Magufuli-advises-against-birth-control/1840340-4751990-4h8fqpz/index.html|title=Magufuli advises against birth control|work=The Citizen|access-date=21 March 2021|location=Tanzania|date=10 September 2018|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721100208/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Magufuli-advises-against-birth-control/1840340-4751990-4h8fqpz/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/9/10/tanzanias-john-magufuli-advises-against-birth-control|title=Tanzania's John Magufuli advises against birth control|work=Al Jazeera|date=10 September 2018|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> The statement has drawn criticism from [[Amnesty International]] and others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/25/africa/tanzania-suspends-family-planning-advert-intl|title= Amnesty International condemns Tanzania's 'attack' on family planning|work=CNN|access-date=21 March 2021|date=25 September 2018|first1=Bukola|last1=Adebayo|first2=Damilola|last2=Odutayo}}</ref> In July 2019, Magufuli urged women to "set your ovaries free".<ref>{{Cite web|title='Set your ovaries free:' Tanzania leader seeks population growth|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/7/10/set-your-ovaries-free-tanzania-leader-seeks-population-growth|access-date=18 February 2021|website=Al Jazeera|language=en|date=10 July 2019}}</ref> Despite his opinion on contraception, Magufuli had shown support for a decades-old law which permitted schools to expel pregnant students, stating that he believed "After getting pregnant, you are done".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-06-30|title='After getting pregnant, you are done': no more school for Tanzania's mums-to-be|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jun/30/tanzania-president-ban-pregnant-girls-from-school-john-magufuli|access-date=2022-02-02|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

==== COVID-19 ====
{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania|COVID-19 misinformation by governments#Tanzania}}
Magufuli promoted [[COVID-19 misinformation]] and [[misinformation related to vaccination]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania|pandemic in Tanzania]].<ref name="CarlitzYamanis2021"/><ref name=Makoni/> Magufuli spoke against the possibility of closing churches, stating: "That's where there is true healing. Corona is the devil and it cannot survive in the body of Jesus," reported ''[[The Economist]]'' in March 2020.<ref name="Coronavirus in Africa - Not immune"/>

By May 2020, Magufuli and Dar es Salaam regional commissioner [[Paul Makonda]] announced that the disease had been defeated by national prayer, and called for a public celebration.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tanzania Says COVID-19 Defeated With Prayer Despite Fears |url=https://time.com/5841441/tanzania-coronavirus-defeated-prayer/ |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522185628/https://time.com/5841441/tanzania-coronavirus-defeated-prayer/ |archive-date=22 May 2020 |language=en |date=22 May 2020 |url-status=dead |quote=flood the streets this weekend to celebrate. 'Make all kinds of noise as a sign of thanksgiving to show our God has won against disease and worries of death that were making us suffer.'}}</ref> "The corona disease has been eliminated thanks to God", Magufuli told the church congregation in [[Dodoma]], the country's capital. The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) has questioned the government's approach to [[COVID-19]].<ref name="BBC20200608">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52966016|title=Coronavirus: John Magufuli declares Tanzania free of Covid-19|work=BBC News|date=8 June 2020|access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref>

Magufuli instructed security forces to blindly test coronavirus [[Polymerase chain reaction|PCR]] test kits for quality on goats, papaya, sheep, and motor oil. All of them, he said, had been found to be positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.africanews.com/2020/05/06/tanzania-how-can-goat-papaya-pawpaw-test-positive-to-corona-morning-call/ |title=Tanzania: goat, paw paw, jackfruit test positive for coronavirus |website=Africa News |date=6 May 2020 }}</ref> The last official data on the coronavirus in Tanzania, under President Magufuli, was published in late April 2020.<ref name="BBC20200608" /><ref name=Makoni/> Magufuli had dismissed the head of the national laboratory, and the distribution of non-governmental information on the spread of the virus had become a crime.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Farmer|first1=Ben|last2=Brown|first2=Will|last3=Vasilyeva|first3=Nataliya|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/ostrich-alliance-coronavirus-world-leaders-heads-sand/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/ostrich-alliance-coronavirus-world-leaders-heads-sand/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The 'Ostrich Alliance': Coronavirus and the world leaders embracing denial, quackery and conspiracy|work=The Telegraph|date=5 June 2010|access-date=17 March 2021|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He disputed the effectiveness of [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|face masks]] and [[COVID-19 testing|testing]].<ref name="BBC20210206">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55900680|title=Coronavirus in Tanzania: The country that's rejecting the vaccine|work=BBC News|date=6 February 2021|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref> In July 2020, regulations were introduced to forbid the publication of "information with regards to the outbreak of a deadly or contagious disease in the country or elsewhere without the approval of the respective authorities",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://rsf.org/en/news/tanzanian-media-unable-cover-covid-19-epidemic|title=Tanzanian media unable to cover Covid-19 epidemic|publisher=Reporters Without Borders|date=5 November 2020|accessdate=21 July 2021}}</ref> with fines for breaches. As a result, many doctors felt that they were unable to officially diagnose COVID-19 out of fear of the government.<ref name="Buguzi2021"/>

Magufuli said in a January 2021 speech: "Vaccinations are dangerous. If white people were able to come up with vaccinations, a vaccination for AIDS would have been found."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Awami|first=Sammy|title=Tanzania president raises doubts over COVID vaccines|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/27/tanzania-president-denounces-covid-vaccines|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref> Instead, Magufuli urged steam inhalation and [[herbal medicine]], neither of which is approved by the WHO for the treatment of COVID-19.<ref name="BBC20210206" /> However, Magufuli partially changed his position in the next month. After months of discouraging their use, he publicly asked Tanzanians to put on face masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. At the same time, he conditioned that only Tanzanian-made masks should be used.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Magufuli urges Tanzanians to wear face mask as COVID-19 bites hard: "Sijasema msivae barakoa"|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/magufuli-urges-tanzanians-to-wear-face-mask-as-covid-19-bites-hard-sijasema-msivae-barakoa/ar-BB1dTh6j|access-date=2021-12-21|website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WHO Urges Tanzania to Report COVID-19 Cases Amid Concerns Over Its Pandemic Response|url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/who-urges-tanzania-to-report-covid-19-cases-data/|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Global Citizen|date=23 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tanzania's president admits country has COVID-19 problem|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/22/tanzanias-president-admits-country-has-covid-19-problem|access-date=2021-12-21|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>