January Makamba

Makamba was born in Singida Region and is the eldest of four children. His father, Yusuf Makamba, a stalwart of the country's dominant ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and had served as its Secretary General. His mother, Josephine, is from Missenyi District in Kagera Region. He spent his early childhood in his ancestral home of Mahezangulu village in Lushoto District and at his maternal grandmother's village in Kagera Region, which was at the time invaded by Ugandan troops during the Uganda–Tanzania War.{{cite web | url=http://www.januarymakamba.com/mystory.html | title=My Story | last1=Makamba | first1=January | date=December 2010 | website=www.januarymakamba.com | access-date=8 July 2014}}

He was educated at Handeni and Galanos secondary schools in Secondary School; and at Forest Hill High School. He attended Quincy College in Massachusetts, United States for a preliminary course before transferring to Saint John's University in Minnesota, where he majored in Peace Studies.{{cite web | url=http://www.csbsju.edu/peace-studies/profiles | title=Student Profiles | publisher=St. John's University (Minnesota) | access-date=8 July 2014}} He then undertook an internship at the Carter Center,{{cite web | url=https://www.cartercenter.org/documents/1349.pdf | title=OBSERVING THE 2002 SIERRA LEONE ELECTIONS | publisher=Page 4, Carter Center | access-date=8 July 2014}} before obtaining his MSc in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in 2004.{{cite web |url=http://scar.gmu.edu/people/january-makamba|title=Alumni: J. Makamba | publisher=School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution | access-date=8 July 2014}}

Upon his return to Tanzania, he joined the Foreign Ministry as a Foreign Service Officer (Grade II). Jakaya Kikwete, the Foreign Minister at the time would later on vie for the presidency in the 2005 election. Makamba joined his campaign team and traversed across the country visiting all the districts. Following Kikwete's landslide victory of over 80 percent, he was appointed as an aide to the President. His formal title was Personal Assistant to the President – Special Duties (PAP-SD); a position that he would serve for five years until 2010.

File:Western Usambara.jpg in Lushoto district is Makamba's ancestral home]]

In 2010, he contested in the election as a Member of Parliament for his home constituency of Bumbuli and was elected unopposed.{{cite news |date=28 October 2010 |title= Promises, promises |url=http://www.economist.com/node/17369767?story_id=17369767&fsrc=rss |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=9 July 2014 }} In the 10th Parliament, he served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Energy and Minerals.

In April 2011, he replaced Bernard Membe as CCM's Political Affairs and International Relations Secretary and served in this post until November 2012 when he was succeeded by Asha-Rose Migiro at the 8th National Congress of the CCM.{{cite news |date=11 April 2011 |title=Fresh hope as CCM announces teams |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840406/1808260/-/abhbis/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen (Tanzania) |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030823/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840406/1808260/-/abhbis/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} Makamba was also elected as one of the ten members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) from the mainland part of the country. He received the second highest number of votes (2,093).{{cite news |last=Ng'Hily |first=Dickson |date=14 November 2012 |title=CCM's new line-up in place |url= http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=47979|newspaper=The Guardian |publisher= IPP Media |access-date=9 July 2014 }}

In May 2012, President Kikwete appointed him as the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology following a cabinet reshuffle. In July, he launched the Bumbuli Development Corporation, a personal initiative that would seek to supplement the government's effort in bringing development to his constituency.{{cite news|last=Lugongo |first=Bernard |date=9 July 2012 |title=MP forms corporation to boost development in his constituency |url=http://198.1.82.171/news/4-national-news/23858-mp-forms-corporation-to-boost-development-in-his-constituency.html |newspaper=The Citizen (Tanzania) |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230352/http://198.1.82.171/news/4-national-news/23858-mp-forms-corporation-to-boost-development-in-his-constituency.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Kellaway |first=Kate |date=26 August 2012 |title=New Africa: the politician fighting corruption in Tanzania |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/26/new-africa-january-makamba-tanzania |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=9 July 2014}} In August 2014, he was nominated by Vodacom Tanzania CEO to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge in order to raise awareness for obstetric fistula patients in Tanzania; or donate US$100.{{cite web|url=http://issamichuzi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/vodacom-tanzania-yaja-na-fistula-ice.html |title=Vodacom Tanzania yaja na Fistula Ice Bucket Challenge |date=27 August 2014 |publisher=Michuzi Blog |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903101529/http://issamichuzi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/vodacom-tanzania-yaja-na-fistula-ice.html |archive-date=September 3, 2014 }} Makamba{{Cite web|title = TANZANIA MPYA|url = http://www.tanzaniampya.com/tzmpya/|website = www.tanzaniampya.com|access-date = 2015-10-28}} decided to donate TSh {{shilingi|1,000,000}} (US$600) instead.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFaaJ95tF-k |title=Mheshimiwa Makamba Akubali Fistula #BongoIce |website=YouTube |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=29 August 2014}}

In October 2014, Makamba was quoted advocating dictatorship as a means to end graft in politics.{{cite web |url=http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/habari/Kitaifa/Makamba--Tunahitaji--udikteta-/-/1597296/2482516/-/item/0/-/13jcwjc/-/index.html |title=Makamba: Tunahitaji 'udikteta' |last1=Butahe |first1=Fidelis |last2=Yamol |first2= Ibrahim |date= 11 October 2014 |publisher=Mwananchi | language = sw|trans-title=Makamba: We need a 'dictatorship'|access-date=8 December 2014}}{{cite news |last=Makamba |first=Mhango |date=24 October 2014 |title=DICTATORSHIP? Go tell that to the birds, Mister Makamba! |url= http://www.businesstimes.co.tz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4048:dictatorship-go-tell-that-to-the-birds-mister-makamba&catid=37:column&Itemid=60 |newspaper=Business Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195418/http://www.businesstimes.co.tz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4048:dictatorship-go-tell-that-to-the-birds-mister-makamba&catid=37:column&Itemid=60 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live |access-date= 8 December 2014}}

On 2 July 2014, he announced on BBC Television in London that he was 90%

certain that he would contest in his party's primaries

for the presidency, he was the first candidate to declare IKULU position for

the 2015 election, and after that slew of candidates announced.{{cite web |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elqhP91djfo&t=4m18s|title = January Makamba atangaza 'nia'|last1 = Kikeke|first1 = Saleem|date = 3 July 2014|publisher = BBC Swahili|language = sw|trans-title=January Makamba announces his intention|access-date = 9 July 2014}}

On 9 July 2014, President Kikwete whilst on a four-day official tour

of Tanga

Region, addressed Makamba's constituents and praised their MP for his work.

On his presidential ambition, Kikwete advised him to look at him as an example.

President Kikwete ran first time for the presidency in 1995, he did not succeed

but second time in 2005 he was elected. President Kikwete told Makamba that

when the time comes, he would get the presidency.{{cite news |date = 10 July 2014|title = JK on ambitious Makamba|url = http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/JK-on-ambitious-Makamba/-/1840392/2378554/-/item/0/-/tac79lz/-/index.html|newspaper = The Citizen (Tanzania)|access-date = 11 July 2014}}

^5].

During his 2015 presidential campaign, Makamba launched a book authored by Fr. Karugendo titled 40 Questions 40 Answers: A Conversation with January Makamba.{{cite web |url = http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/habari/Kitaifa/Kitabu-cha--urais--wa-Makamba/-/1597296/2588598/-/11tqclr/-/index.html|title = Kitabu cha 'urais' wa Makamba|date = 14 January 2015|publisher = Mwananchi|access-date = 16 January 2015}}

The book was prefaced by retired

President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, was detailed with his

vision for #TanzaniaMpya meaning The New Tanzania with top priority on job creation

and if elected, he will introduce a jobs bill that will need about $2 billion.

Other priorities were social services, and good governance.

During the CCM presidential primaries, January Makamba was

the youngest of the five politicians that made it to CCM’s top 5 presidential candidates,

beating CCM veterans including former Prime Ministers, Vice President, and

party veterans. After Dr. John Magufuli

secured CCM nomination, Makamba returned to Bumbuli constituency where he was

re-elected into second term by 84% of the total votes. Also, during 2015

Presidential elections, he was part of 32 cadres that made up CCM Campaign Committee, doubling as

spokesperson of the campaign and in-charge of CCM communications during the

entire campaign. Makamba also was a member of small team selected by CCM

Chairman to prepare party’s manifesto (Ilani

ya uchaguzi) for five years period 2015-2020.

In December 2015, he was appointed as a Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office for Union Affairs and Environment. On 12 September 2021 he was appointed as Minister of Energy by the President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Following the third cabinet reshuffle by Samia Suluhu on 1 September 2023, January assumed the position as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2023-09-01 |title=Tanzania Cabinet Reshuffle: President Samia Announces Key Appointments and Changes |url=https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/economy/cabinet-reshuffle-august-2023 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=TanzaniaInvest |language=en-US}} He was replaced in this position by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo in July 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-22 |title=Tanzania’s president sacks foreign minister as part of major Cabinet reshuffle |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tanzania-s-president-sacks-foreign-minister-as-part-of-major-cabinet-reshuffle/3281818 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Anadolu Ajansı |language=en-US}}

Makamba is a Muslim.{{Twitter|JMakamba/status/259224565157347329|Makamba's tweet on his religion}} He is married to Ramona and is the father of two children. He is an avid football fan and supports Simba S.C., Coastal Union, Chelsea and Real Madrid.{{cite web|url=http://www.sidint.net/node/10047 |title=East Africa Today: An interview with January Makamba - Part 1 |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195945/http://www.sidint.net/node/10047 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNF9hPCj66A&t=1m23s |title=January Makamba azungumzia maisha yake, siasa familia na Urais 2015 - Part 3 |date=5 February 2014 |publisher=Bongo5 | language = sw|trans-title=January Makamba talks about his life, politics, family and the presidency |access-date=11 July 2014}}

• 2013: Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum{{cite web |url= http://www3.weforum.org/docs/YGL13/WEF_YGL13_SSA_Honourees.pdf |title=List of 2013 Young Global Leaders Honourees from Sub-Saharan Africa |date=March 2013 |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=9 July 2014}}
• 2013: National Democratic Institute’s Democracy Award{{cite web |url=https://www.ndi.org/democracy-dinner-advisory |title=30th Anniversary Democracy Dinner |date=25 November 2011 |publisher=National Democratic Institute |access-date=9 July 2014}}
• 2014: 10 Most Powerful Men In Africa, Forbes Magazine{{cite news |last=Gundan |first=Farai |date=31 January 2014 |title=The 10 Most Powerful Men In Africa 2014 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/faraigundan/2014/01/31/the-10-most-powerful-men-in-africa-2014/ |newspaper= Forbes |access-date= 9 July 2014}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Sister project links | wikt=no | q=no | b=no | n=no |s=no | v=no | voy=no | species=no |d=Q1612942 | display=January Makamba}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{youTube|Upk3fXVrsxI|One full day with JM}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150118164425/http://www.tanzaniampya.com/tzmpya/maswali40.pdf 40 Questions 40 Answers: A Conversation with January Makamba] (PDF) in Kiswahili

{{Cabinet of Tanzania}}

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{{Current CCM MPs}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Makamba, January}}

Category:1974 births

Category:Living people

Category:Tanzanian Muslims

Category:Chama Cha Mapinduzi MPs

Category:Tanzanian MPs 2010–2015

Category:Tanzanian MPs 2015–2020

Category:Deputy government ministers of Tanzania

Category:Galanos Secondary School alumni

Category:Forest Hill Secondary School alumni

Category:College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University alumni

Category:George Mason University alumni

Category:People from Singida Region

Category:Energy ministers

Category:Government ministers of Tanzania