Tanzanians on social media have rechristened President Samia Suluhu Hassan “Idi Amin Mama” after former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada, as election violence claims hundreds of lives.

Mr Dada was Uganda’s military dictator between 1971 and 1979. His regime was notorious for brutal killings and suppression.

For three consecutive days, Tanzanians have taken to the streets in vehement protests over Wednesday’s general election, which featured Mrs Hassan but barred major opposition candidates.

Over 700 people have been killed as police clash with protesters across the country, according to the Chadema opposition party.

Trending photos of Mrs Hassan in military fatigue have led some social media users to berate her and liken her to the former Ugandan dictator.

An X user, @mutumaoNkanata, said, “The late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was not only the founding father of Tanzania but also a seer. He could see Idi Amin Mama coming. He dissociated himself from a country made up of cowards. Suluhu si uoga. No retreat no Surrender, Africa!”

Posting a video of hordes of protesters marching on the streets, @Wa_Anyamah said, “Tanzania on the rise. Idi Amin Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan,” while @Atwoliiya said, “This is what idi Amin Mama Samia Suluhu is seeing in Tanzania. Gen Z we are the new revolution.”

“Idi Amin Mama ran against herself and lost. Don’t joke with THE PEOPLE. No matter how powerless the people appear, they hold the real power. Samia sio Suluhu,” @Siatabo said, posting a photo of Mrs Hassan in military war fatigue.

@comradesprezo01 said, “What Idi Amin Mama, Samia Suluhu forget is that Power borrowed from silence is returned in Noise. As we also approach the 2027 General Election we must get rid of some politicians in totality.”

@jeffryBaraka said, “As Idi Amin Mama continues to terrorise Tanzania a new hope emerges in Kenya as Fred Matiangi is endorsed as the Jubilee flag bearer in 2027 in a NEC meeting held at Jubilee HQ today. Matiangi ndio Suluhu ya Kenya.”

The United Nations has also expressed concern over the election violence rocking Tanzania.

“We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania. Reports we have received indicate that at least 10 people were killed,” UN human rights office spokesperson Seif Magango said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Amnesty International said “authorities must investigate police use of force against election day protesters.”

Before the election, the human rights organisation condemned widespread arrests, torture, killings, and the disqualification of opposition candidates in the run-up to the general elections.

Amnesty International said “unopposed, unchecked, unjust ‘wave of terror’ sweeps” through the country ahead of the elections, lamenting the “deepening human rights crisis ahead of its October 2025 general elections.”

It added, “Authorities have intensified the use of repressive laws to silence dissent, targeting journalists, civil society, human rights defenders, and opposition voices.”

Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had first confirmed 17 presidential candidates, including Ms Suluhu Hassan, before disqualifying other strong opposition candidates.