January Makamba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
January Makamba
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation | |
| In office 1 September 2023 – 21 July 2024 |
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| President | Samia Suluhu |
| Preceded by | Stergomena Tax |
| 2nd Minister of Energy | |
| In office 12 September 2021 – 31 August 2023 |
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| President | Samia Suluhu |
| Preceded by | Medard Kalemani |
| Succeeded by | Doto Biteko |
| Minister of State in the Vice President's Office |
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| In office 12 December 2015 – 21 July 2019 |
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| President | John Magufuli |
| Succeeded by | George Simbachawene |
| Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology |
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| In office 7 May 2012 – 5 November 2015 |
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| Minister | Makame Mbarawa |
| Preceded by | Charles Kitwanga |
| Member of Parliament for Bumbuli |
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| Assumed office November 2010 |
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| Preceded by | William Shellukindo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 January 1974 Singida, Tanzania |
| Political party | CCM |
| Spouse | Ramona Urassa |
| Relations | Yusuf Makamba (father) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Dar es Salaam |
| Alma mater | St. John’s University George Mason University |
January Yusuf Makamba was born on January 28, 1974. He is a well-known politician from Tanzania. He belongs to the CCM party. Since 2010, he has been a Member of Parliament for the Bumbuli area.
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Early Life and Education
January Makamba was born in the Singida Region of Tanzania. He is the oldest of four children. His father, Yusuf Makamba, was a very important person in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. The CCM is the main political party in Tanzania. His mother, Josephine, comes from the Missenyi District.
January spent his early years in his family's village, Mahezangulu, in the Lushoto District. He also spent time in his grandmother's village in the Kagera Region. This was during the Uganda–Tanzania War, when Ugandan troops had entered the area.
He went to Handeni and Galanos secondary schools. He also attended Forest Hill High School. Later, he studied at Quincy College in the United States. He then moved to Saint John's University in Minnesota. There, he focused on Peace Studies.
After college, January worked as an intern at the Carter Center. He then earned his Master's degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in 2004. He studied at George Mason University.
When he returned to Tanzania, he joined the Foreign Ministry. He worked as a Foreign Service Officer. At that time, Jakaya Kikwete was the Foreign Minister. Mr. Kikwete later ran for president in 2005. January joined his campaign team and traveled all over the country.
After Mr. Kikwete won the election, January Makamba became his special assistant. His job was called Personal Assistant to the President – Special Duties. He held this important role for five years, until 2010.
Political Journey
In 2010, January Makamba decided to run for Member of Parliament in his home area of Bumbuli. He was elected without anyone running against him. In the 10th Parliament, he led the Parliamentary Committee for Energy and Minerals. This committee deals with energy and mining issues.
In 2011, he became the Political Affairs and International Relations Secretary for the CCM party. He held this position until 2012. He was also chosen as one of the ten members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) from mainland Tanzania. He received many votes for this role.
In May 2012, President Kikwete appointed him as the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology. This happened after some changes were made to the government. In July, he started the Bumbuli Development Corporation. This was his own project to help bring development to his home area.
In 2014, January Makamba took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge. He chose to donate money to help women with obstetric fistula in Tanzania.
Running for President in 2015
In 2014, January Makamba announced that he was thinking about running for president. He was one of the first people to say they wanted to be the next president in the 2015 election.
President Kikwete visited January Makamba's home area. He praised January for his hard work as an MP. President Kikwete also advised January to learn from his own experience. He said that January would become president when the time was right.
During his 2015 presidential campaign, January Makamba launched a book. It was called 40 Questions 40 Answers: A Conversation with January Makamba. The book talked about his ideas for a "New Tanzania." His main goal was to create more jobs. He also wanted to improve social services and good governance.
January Makamba was the youngest of the top five candidates in the CCM presidential selection. He competed against many experienced politicians. After Dr. John Magufuli was chosen as the CCM candidate, January Makamba went back to his Bumbuli area. He was re-elected as MP with a large number of votes.
He also played a big role in the 2015 presidential election campaign. He was a spokesperson and managed the CCM party's communications. He also helped prepare the party's plans for the next five years.
Serving in the Cabinet
In December 2015, January Makamba was appointed as a Minister of State. He worked in the Vice President’s Office, dealing with Union Affairs and Environment.
On September 12, 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed him as the Minister of Energy. Then, on September 1, 2023, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. This is a very important role in dealing with other countries.
Personal Life
January Makamba is a Muslim. He is married to Ramona, and they have two children. He loves football and supports several teams. These include Simba S.C., Coastal Union, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
Awards and Recognition
- 2013: Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
- 2013: Received the Democracy Award from the National Democratic Institute.
- 2014: Listed among the "10 Most Powerful Men In Africa" by Forbes Magazine.
