Born in a village in the Karagwe district of the Kagera region, Emil Muta Augustine identifies primarily with his roots as a Haya and a proud Tanzanian.

At his villa in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, he continues to embrace the traditions and cultural practices instilled in him during his childhood in Kagera, passing these cherished values ​​on to his children.

As the year draws to a close, he eagerly awaits Senene’s arrival. These edible crickets, known scientifically as Ruspolia différens, are a popular delicacy in the Kagera region, as well as parts of Uganda and Kenya.

Known for their high protein content, sennas are typically harvested during the rainy season, adding a valued seasonal flavor to local cuisine.

At first, his American-born children found their father’s enthusiasm for insects arriving from Tanzania somewhat strange.

However, over time, they grew accustomed to this unique cuisine and eventually adopted it, enjoying their fair share of the senene harvested from Kagera.

Emil, a former Tanzanian government employee with 12 years of service in the Department of Immigration, immigrated to the United States more than two decades ago in search of better opportunities as a student.

As one of the first Tanzanians to settle in Seattle, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Tanzanian community there, earning him the affectionate nickname “Baba wa Seattle”, which means “Father of Seattle”.

Immersed in a different culture and way of life, Emil was amazed to see snow, and in the fall he was surprised to see the trees losing all their leaves, something he had never seen previously at his home.

Once settled in the United States, he began helping his wife and parents back home.

As his financial situation improved, he began investing in Tanzania by building residential houses. With friends, he also co-founded the Tanzania Diaspora Hub (TDH), an initiative to invest in various sectors in Tanzania.

“So far, we have invested in fish farming, cashew nut and avocado farming,” he said. He saw it as an opportunity to connect the Tanzanian diaspora to the homeland. A true son of the Karagwe land, he never forgot his home. He persuaded the Rotary Club, a global organization dedicated to community services with offices in Tanzania, to embark on a malaria eradication initiative in Karagwe.

He is committed to ensuring that no woman, child or elderly person in his village succumbs to malaria. Its efforts included fumigating potential mosquito breeding areas, streets and homes, as well as distributing free mosquito nets to the community.

Mr. Muta has witnessed how countries like China, Germany and even Rwanda have effectively leveraged their diaspora in America to acquire technology that propels their national progress, especially in sectors like automobile manufacturing. He hopes Tanzania will use its diaspora to do the same.

He said many Tanzanians who go to study in the United States do not bring their new knowledge back home. He hopes that closer collaboration between the government and the diaspora will be encouraged so that the country can effectively identify the required experience and knowledge and how the diaspora who possess such expertise can participate in the technological advancement of the country.

“Rwanda has achieved remarkable successes. They successfully imported drone technology and, with the support of their diaspora, developed the first blood delivery drones to transport vital supplies to remote and hard-to-reach hospitals,” he said.

However, he noted that the Tanzanian diaspora is hampered by the challenges they face in acquiring other nationalities. With over a decade of experience in the immigration department, Muta is keenly aware of the dilemmas faced by many Tanzanians abroad.

He explains that there is a fundamental distinction between citizenship and nationality. Nationality is determined by country of birth, while citizenship can be acquired through naturalization.

He firmly asserts that his American citizenship was granted to him after meeting the necessary criteria; however, he maintains that his nationality remains Tanzanian.

His lineage dates back to Karagwe in the Kagera region and he believes that acquiring foreign citizenship is not the same as giving up one’s tribal identity.

“I cannot reject my tribe; I can’t deny where I come from,” he said. In a move to preserve their Tanzanian heritage, he gave traditional names to his American-born children. One is called “Mganyizi”, while the others are called “Mchunguzi” and “Mgisha”.

Through this naming practice, he aims to instill in them a sense of Tanzanian identity, ensuring that even after his death, they can return to Karagwe in Kagera and be integrated as part of their ancestral community.

For many years, following the enactment of the Tanzania Citizenship Act of 1995, many Tanzanians living abroad have fervently sought recognition from their government.

Recently, rumors and aspirations have emerged regarding the possible introduction of a “special status” for this diaspora; however, these hopes have not yet come to fruition.

This situation has prevented many members of the diaspora from fully committing to investing and engaging in Tanzania, as they increasingly perceive themselves as outsiders – outsiders looking outward. Mr Mutta expresses the wish that they obtain dual nationality rather than just a special status.

“In my tradition of Mnyamba Mhima, if my children obtain half-citizenship in the form of a special status, they will not be recognized in my village nor will they be eligible for chiefdom,” he said. explain.

He noted that the term “diaspora” has a negative connotation among ordinary Tanzanians. He hopes they will instead be called “Tanzans living abroad”, which would help their fellow citizens see them not as foreigners but as full members of the nation.

“I hope Tanzanians will be well informed about our lives abroad, understand why we are part of Tanzania and recognize our importance to our country,” he said.

“They are trying to divide us and create animosity between us, but we are relatives. No matter where we reside, we are Tanzanians,” he added.

The Tanzanian diaspora community continues to grow; these compatriots, who left their family, friends and familiar way of life in search of better opportunities abroad, play an important role in boosting the economy through remittances. In 2023, it was reported that diaspora remittances totaled over $400 million.

This substantial sum is intended for their families, real estate, agriculture and various investments in their country, thus creating jobs and generating tax revenue.

However, the reluctance to fully welcome them as sons and daughters of the earth remains.

He insists that Tanzania is like his mother, stressing that whatever the circumstances, he cannot harbor resentment towards her. “Tanzania is beautiful and there is no other mother like her,” he remarked.

He and his family support and respect the government and are determined to work together to develop Tanzania in unity.

Muta has preserved its traditions and way of life; he stays in touch with his friends from his immigration days, contributing to funerals and weddings back home, as is the custom for many Tanzanians.

His cooking includes bananas and ugali, a Tanzanian delicacy that he taught his children to enjoy.

Additionally, the Tanzanian community has football fan groups that support the country’s two biggest teams, Simba and Yanga.

Muta has not lost hope in the dream of dual citizenship, even if it may not come true in his lifetime. He wants his children to witness this change: “It will take time; it might be delayed, but it will happen,” he said.

“In the end, I will be buried in the same village where my father and grandfather are buried,” he concluded.