This is a HEROE'S week. Early this week, we read articles about two Tanzanian heroes namely; Captain NAZIZ PETER MAPUNDA, a daredevil Tanzanian pilot who, in 1977, clandestinely took off with an East African Airways plane from Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam; and Dr. WILBERT KLERUU, a no nonsense, uncompromising and results-oriented RC who was shot dead by one SAID MWAMWINDI on 25/12/1971 in Iringa. 

Today, it is the turn of another hero ie the former West Lake region (Kagera) Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, HANS POPE who was murdered by the then President IDDI AMIN of Uganda and his henchmen in September 1972, aged 54.

The late HANS POPPE was captured by AMINI's troops on August 24th, 1971 at Mutukula. He was shot in the right thigh at 11 in the morning on that fateful day during an attempt to reach a receiver to warn of AMINI's invasion of Tanzania after he had seen two AMINI's tanks rambling into the country. 

"Do not kill me. Do not kill me pleeeeese", HANS POPPE appealed to his captors. The plea was heard by people close to the scene including Col. GB KUSIGA and ABDALLAH KABONGO. However, the plea fell on deaf ears. He was whisked away to an unknown destination.

After thirteen months, HANS POPPE's body was sent by AMIN soldiers to the Mulago's hospital's anatomy department and handed over to Prof. SEG TUMWINI on September 21st, September 1972. Upon observation, the body was found with deep stab wounds all over and bullet holes on the upper part of the left arm and another on the pelvic girdle. It appears that HANS POPPE underwent hell during the thirteen months he was kept captive. Apart from the deep wounds and bullet holes, the body had hundreds of bruises, the later suggesting torture. The two brave Ugandan doctors aforementioned preserved his body secretly for eight years until President AMIN was  overthrown in 1979.


In Uganda, HANS POPPE capture became a political publicity stunt for AMIN who labelled him as a Chinese mercenary due to his complexion. President AMIN humiliated him even after his death, by displaying his body at Kalolo airstrip in Kampala, despite the fact that HANS POPPE was neither Chinese nor Mercenary.


On 23rd May 1979, the body of the late HANS POPPE was handed over to Hon. BEN MKAPA, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, by his counterpart, Hon. OTEMA ALLIMADI at the old Entebe airport. Hon. ALLIMADI paid tribute to the late HANS POPPE who died defendiñg the co-existence and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.

Hon. MKAPA , on his part, said briefly that "HANS POPPE died in  battle. He died in defence of his country's freedom, its people and its territorial integrity. He fought against an enemy of the people of Tanzania. So, he is a martyr, for freedom, for unity, for law and for African brotherhood and for African unity...........".

The body of the late HANS POPPE was laid to final rest with full military honours at Makanyagio cemetery in Iringa, in his home town on 26th May 1979.

The funeral, believed to be the biggest ever to be held in the Iringa region, was attended by hundreds of mourners. Almost the entire population of Iringa-joined by mourners from Mbeya, Morogoro, Dar Es Salaam and West Lake Zone turned up to accord a heroic burial. 
The Government was represented by HON. ALLY MCHUMO, the then Deputy Minister, Home Affairs who, in his speech, thanked and congratulated Prof. SET TUMWINI of Makerere and Dr. JAMES MAKUMBI, a Medical Superitendant at Mulago, Kampala who took the risk of preserving and hiding the body of the late HANS POPPE from 1972 to 1979.

The late HANS POPPE was the only son of Mr. HOPPMANN POPPE, a whiteman from Germany while his wife, ANNA MERCAT was a black woman from Iringa.

The late HANS POPPE was survived  by the said widow, sons HARRY, ZACHARIA, MOSES, EDDIE, CEASER, OTTO, ADAM and a daughter, SOPHIE.

Two of his sons namely ZACHARIA and HARRY were arrested by police in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to stage a coup d'etat with a view to overthrowing NYERERE's government in the early 1980s. As there was no credible evidence against HARRY, he was allowed to leave scot-free but ZACHARIA and some other co-accused were convicted and a life sentence was consequently mete out to them. However, in 1995 just before he left office, President ALLY HASSAN MWINYI, by virtue of article 45 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977, pardoned them. 

Unfortunately, HARRY passed away in 2012 in Canada where he was living with his family. ZACHARIA is a successful businessman based in Iringa and also one of the leaders of Simba Sports Club.

It is now 46 years since HANS POPPE was murdered by AMINI. In my view, he is one of our heroes who deserve to be recognized and posthumously awarded.

RIP EX-RPC HANS POPPE: A HERO FROM IRINGA!!!

Michuzi Blog

Tanzanian blog operating since 2005, covering International news and Local News, including Politics, Fashion, Social Scenes, Interviews, Movies, Events, personalities and anything positive happening worldwide. Written in Swahili and English targeting both Swahili and English readers.

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  1. Story kama za marehemu HANS POPPE ni nzuri sana kutolewa katika kipindi hiki ambapo vijana wetu wanakosa uzalendo.

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