Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service
Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service is the national civilian intelligence and security agency of Tanzania. It had its origins in Special Branch (SB), a department of the national police that was created in 1952 under the British administration.
The agency works closely with other national and international intelligence and security agencies in the promotion and maintenance of clandestine and covert operations, counterintelligence, counter-revolutionary, counterterrorism, executive protection, intelligence gathering and assessment both domestic and international, internal security, national's central intelligence affair for coordinating intelligence activities, peacekeeping, political warfare, preserve Tanzania's external security interests, support irregular warfare operations, and threat assessment to national security.
Former Director Generals
| N/A | Name | Time of service | Details |
| 1 | Emilio Charles Mzena | 1961–1975 | The first Director General after independence, he was appointed by the presidentJulius Nyerere. |
| 2 | Dr. Lawrence Gama | 1975–1978 | He was later appointed as Dodoma’s Regional Commissioner. |
| 3 | Dr. Hassy Kitine | 1978–1980 | The youngest Director General ever since its formation. He mainly operated during Kagera war.Vita vya Kagera. |
| 4 | Dr. Augustine Mahiga | 1980–1983 | He later served as an ambassador and a Diplomat of the United Nations |
| 5 | Lt. Gen. Imrani Kombe | 1983–1995 | Died in the year 1996. |
| 6 | Col. Apson Mwang’onda | 1995–2005 | Modernized TISS. |
| 7 | Othman Rashid | 2005–2016 | Served as during Jakaya Kikwete time as president. |
| 8 | Dr. Modestus Kipilimba | 2016 – 12 Sept 2019 | Appointed by the Late President John Pombe Magufuli. |
| 9 | CP Diwani Athumani Msuya | 12 Sept 2019 – 3 Jan 2023 | He was a Police Commissioner. |
| 10 | Said Hussein Massoro | 3 Jan 2023 – ~Aug 2023 | Served for 8 months, the shortest time ever in TISS history |
| 11 | Balozi Ali Idi Siwa | Aug 2023 – 11 July 2024 | Also served a short time of 11 months. |
| 12 | Suleiman Abubakar Mombo | 11 July 2024 – Present | was appointed by the president Samia Suluhu Hassan. |
History
Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service traces its originstom the British Colonial Period, where Special Branch was created as a department of the Tanganyika Police Force.The department worked operated independently from the then Criminal Investigation Department.
Special Branch (SB)
The idea of its formation took root in the year 1947 as advised by the British Intelligence MI6 which was responsible for espionage activities in the UK and its colonies. MI6 wanted its establishment of the department in Tanganyika just like Britain’s other colonies like Kenya, Uganda, Rhodesia etc, and while as freedom movement In Tanganyika intensified under Tanganyika African National Union now Chama Cha Mapinduzi led to a fast development of Special Branch that by the year 1958 it had 4 Zonal Offices in 4 Provinces out of the total 8 Provinces.1958
It is from the year 1958 even more Police Officers were enrolled in the department and received special training to sharpen their skills related to espionage.The first security guard of the Late President Julius Kambarage Nyerere,, served in as a Special Branch Officer in the Lake Victoria Zone from 1953 to 1958.
At the time, the main role of Special Branch was to spy on the activities of Tanganyika African National Union leaders including Mwl. Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Oscar Kambona, Rashid Kawawa, Asanterabi Zephaniah Nsilo Swai and many more to Freedom Movement leaders to determine their political direction.
1961
In August 1961 was created a special force for the protection of leaders including the then Prime Ministers Julius Kambarage Nyerere. After Tanganyika Independence on December the same year, just like other sensitive departments, Special Branch was still under the British Colonial Control and most of its leaders we still British.The only Tanganyikan with a relatively high position was Emilio Charles Mzena who by then was the Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The then Africanization Movement that was led by TANU that wanted Africana to be given Power in leadership led to Emilio Charles Mzena being appointed as the first Director General of Special Branch on June 1962.
Emilio Charles Mzena, and Lawrence Gama were among African-origin Special Branch Members that got their training in Several British institutions in the 1950s.
Was officially established in 9th September 1963 by the Minister of Defense and foreign affairs Oscar Kambona and the Minister of Internal affairs Job Marecela Lusinde.
It was therefore removed under the Police forces and Ministry of internal affairs to a fully fledged department under the Ministry of Defense and later under President’s office.
A new Intelligence Unit was formed under the leadership of Wynn Jones Mbwambo, Director of Security and Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was later detained in the year 1967 for conspiracy on inspiring defense forces to takeover the country few months after Oscar Kambona fled the country.
Some other major changes after was the removal of 133 officers that served in Special Branch back to the police department only few high ranking officials remained. The 28 were joined by TANU youths who were trained in public service and who before that were in a TANU department responsible for Intelligence.