HISTORY OF MUFINDI DISTRICT
In 1961 when we gained independence Tanganyika or Tanzania Mainland had nine states and Mufindi District Now was one of the areas in the Southern Highlands region (Iringa, Ruvuma and Rukwa) other areas that today belong to the Independent District are Njombe and Iringa .
Before Tanganyika gained Independence, Mufindi District was now under Iringa District. At that time Iringa was called Uhehe “Native Authority” under the Chief Ruler named (Mutwa) Adam Sapi Mkwawa (Mkwavinyika i.e. “Ruler of areas”.
Mufindi District after Independence
After Independence 1961 the Office of the Chief District Adviser continued to be a tablet area and continued to exist, Mr. Shauri Cyprian Lutu. In addition, the tablet area also had a Police station
Administrative Change
In 1963 the Tanganyiaka Government made major changes to overthrow the colonial regime, the change removed the policy of Chiefdom and set up Division Executive Officers who were called Divisional Secretaries. Executive Officers ”areas include Ifwagi, Kibengu, Malangali, Sadani and Kasanga which are currently among the 27 wards of the Council.
In addition, these changes were not well understood by the common people as they were accustomed to the rule of the chief, where, by nature only some clans had the qualifications to rule, this situation caused all those appointed to replace Chiefs to receive threats from Chiefs and the general public.
For Mufindi District, Mutwa Adam Sapi Mkwawa, himself went through all the areas providing education on the changes, the procedure he used was, to hold local Sessions with his aides. Second public rallies for all citizens. This made the Iringa area (uhehe) less problematic due to the changes that took place
Some of the Sub-Chief’s (wanzagila) were given the opportunity to continue to rule in the Executive Officers’ Division but were transferred to work so that the chieftain would not continue with the transfer. Development activities in conjunction with security and safety issues (Judging / deciding cases)
Establishment of Mufindi District
On 01/10/1965 Mufindi District was officially inaugurated by the first President of the United Republic of Tanzania the late Mwalimu Julius Kamabarage Nyerere, and the first District Commissioner was named Fred Mwakamyanda, then the District Commissioner was known as the Area Commissioner and The district headquarters were in the tablet area.
Origin of the Winner Name
The name MUFINDI, derived from the name of the Tree called Mfinza in the Hehe Language found in the Ihomasa area. Moreover, the Germans who arrived for the first time failed to pronounce the word Mfinza and instead pronounced the winner. after a long practice the word Mufindi was born.
The District Commissioner “Area Commissioner” has been present since the inception of the District until now (1965 – 2018) as shown below.
Mufindi District is one of the four districts of the Iringa Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the north by Kilolo District and Iringa Urban District, to the south by the Njombe Region, to the east by the Morogoro Region and to the west by the Singida Region.
As of 2002, the population of the Mufindi District was 283,032.
Constituencies
For parliamentary elections, Tanzania is divided into constituencies. As of the 2015 general elections, Mufindi District had three constituencies:[3] Mufindi North constituency, Mufindi South constituency, and Mafinga constituency.
Mufindi Constituency
Divisions
Mufindi district is divided into 5 divisions, these are Ifwagi, Sadani, Kibengu, Mapanda, and Malangali
Wards.
As of 2002, Mufindi District was administratively divided into twenty-eight wards:
Bumilayinga
Ifunda
Ifwagi
Igombavanu
Igowole
Ihalimba
Ihanu
Ihowanza
Ikweha
Isalavanu
Itandula
Kasanga
Kibengu
Kiyowela
Luhunga
Mafinga
Makungu
Malangali
Mapanda
Mbalamaziwa
Mdabulo
Mninga
Mpanga TAZARA
Mtambula
Mtwango
Nyololo
Rungemba
Sadani