Historia

Establishment of Songwe Region

Songwe is formed from Mbeya region, after the 4^th phase of government former President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete announced to commence the process of establishing new region and districts on 18^th October, 2015. Thereafter his successor President Dr. Jonh Magufuli announced the establishment of Songwe region on the Government Gazette (GN) No. 461 of 29^th January, 2016.

Administration areas

There are 4 districts, namely Mbozi, Momba, Ileje and Songwe (Mkwajuni). Also there are 4 district councils of Mbozi, Momba, Ileje, Songwe and one Town council of Tunduma. Currently the region has 12 divisions, 94 wards, 307 villages, 1493 harmlets and 71 streets of Tunduma. The region has a total of 153796 households.

Geographical position and Boundaries

Likewise southern highland regions, Songwe is placed at 7^o and 9^o 36’ latitudes south of equator and 32^o and 33^o 41’ east of Greenwich meridian. On the south it is bordering Malawi and Zambia, Rukwa and Katavi regions on the west, Tabora on the North and Mbeya region on the east. Lake Rukwa in the west is the large water body in the region. Tunduma makes gateway to Zambia and other southern and central African countries while Isongole makes a gateway to Malawi.

Coverage, Physical features and climate 

Songwe region has an area of approximately 27,598.9 km². It is typical tropical zone with elongated foot of both west and northern arms of rift valley running from north of Lake Nyasa. On the bottom of rift valley, people experiencing hot season from early September to late April and cool season from May to late August. The highest temperatures reach 25^o C in lowland around Lake Rukwa, Songwe and Momba and 16^o C in uplands of Mbozi, Tunduma and Ileje.

Population, ethnic groups and economic activities

The projected population of Songwe by 2016 stands at 1,125,520 of which male are 539,624 and female are 585,896. The most populated part is rural areas with about 79 percent. Annual population growth is 3.2 and 46 percent of the population aged below 15 years while 3 percent are above 65 years. The dominant ethnic groups are Nyiha, Nyamwanga, Bungu and Ndali.

Majority of the population are involved in agriculture, livestock keeping and fishing. The minorities are businessmen and pastoralist from Sukuma and Maasai land with even circulated to the economy of the region. Crops cultivated are paddy, maize, coffee, simsim, sunflowers, beans and sorghum.

• Regional Leaders List

Regional Commissioner

1. MHE. LTN.(MST) CHIKU ABDALLAH GALLAWA.

              MWAKA 2016 - 2018.

2.  MHE. BRIG. JENERALI NICODEMUS R. MWANGELA

               MWAKA 2018 - 2021.

3. MHE. OMARY TEBWETA MGUMBA

               MWAKA 2021 - 2022.

4. MHE. WAZIRI WAZIRI KINDAMBA

              MWAKA 2022 -2023.

5. MHE. DKT. FRANCIS KASABUBU MICHAEL

          MWAKA 2023 - 2024

6. MHE. DANIEL GODFREY CHONGOLO

         MWAKA 2024 PRESENT

• Regional Administrative Secretary

1. ELIYA M. NTANDU

    MWAKA 2016 - 2017.

2.DAVID Z. KAFULILA 

MWAKA  2018 -2020.

3. DKT.SEIFA A. SHEKALAGHE

          MWAKA 2020 -  2021.

4. BW. MISSAILE ALBANO MUSSA

         MWAKA 2021- 2022.

5. BI HAPPINESS WILLIAM SENEDA

       MWAKA 2022 PRESENT.