Former Tanzanian Member of Parliament Seleman Bungara, widely known as Bwege and famous for his viral “Uliskia wapi” phrase, has died.
According to reports, Bungara passed away on Monday in Dar es Salaam while undergoing treatment. He previously served as the Member of Parliament for Kilwa South constituency.
His death brings to a close a political career that lasted more than a decade and left a strong mark both in Tanzania and across East Africa’s digital space.
Bungara first entered Parliament in 2005, representing Kilwa South under the Civic United Front (CUF), where he won multiple terms before later joining the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo).
He was widely known for his outspoken nature and built a reputation as a fearless legislator who openly addressed key national issues in Parliament.
During his tenure, he served in several committees, including the Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee (2010–2013), the HIV and AIDS Affairs Committee (2013–2015), and later the Social Development and Services Committee.
Beyond politics, Bungara gained widespread fame in 2020 after a press conference clip in which he dismissed reports that he had defected to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
In a lively exchange with journalists, he asked, “Uliskia wapi?” meaning “Where did you hear that?” The phrase quickly went viral, especially in Kenya, where it was adapted into “Olisikia wapi” and became a popular meme used in everyday conversations and even printed on merchandise.
Despite his popularity, Bungara lost his seat in the October 2020 General Election while contesting under ACT Wazalendo. He received 10,096 votes, falling short against CCM candidate Ally Kasinge, who garnered 22,521 votes. The defeat ended his 15-year stint in Parliament.
His political journey also had its share of challenges. In June 2020, shortly after joining ACT Wazalendo, he was arrested alongside party leader Zitto Kabwe during a political meeting, though they were later released on bond.
He also made headlines in 2016 following a heated exchange with the Deputy Speaker over his nickname “Bwege,” an incident that drew national attention and underscored his bold personality.
Following news of his death, tributes have poured in across social media, with many remembering him not just as a politician, but as a cultural figure whose words crossed borders and became part of everyday language.
Bungara is remembered as a charismatic leader, a vocal opposition figure, and a man whose humor and unique communication style resonated with many beyond the political arena.
