Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has welcomed a new member to her family after adopting an infant who was rescued.
Samia received the baby at the State House in Chamwino area of Dodoma on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
She named the baby Grace Samia Suluhu.
Grace was presented to the president by local administration officials after completing adoption procedures in the country.
Baby’s background
Baby Grace was dumped by her mother in the Nzega District, Tabora province, on January 17, 2026.
She was abandoned near Kasulu guest house in Ngega town, with residents bringing the matter to the attention of local administrators.
The area administrator deployed police officers to rescue the baby, who was then rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Efforts to trace the baby’s mother were unsuccessful with the matter gaining increased publicity.
The President expressed interest in adopting the baby, paving the way for today’s formal presentation.
She called out mothers who dump their babies, urging them to instead consider presenting the babies to authorities.
“Wanaotupa watoto hawajui wanalolifanya. Kuliko kumtupa mtoto ni afadhali ukamkabidhi katika mamlaka za kisheria au kituo cha kulelea watoto. Kila mtoto aliyezaliwa ni hazina, na hatuijui kesho yake,” Suluhu said as she received the baby.
This loosely translates to: “Those dumping children don’t know what they are doing. It is better to surrender the babies to local authorities or to a children’s home as every child has a future”.
President Suluhu’s family
Suluhu, who was born in Zanzibar in a humble family, completed her secondary education in 1977 and got married a year later.
Her father was a teacher by profession, while her mother was a homemaker who valued education and religion, values which shaped Suluhu’s path.
Aged 66 years old, Suluhu is married to Hafidh Ameir who is an agriculturalist by profession.
The couple walked down the aisle in 1978 and have four biological children, including Wanu Hafidh Ameir who she appointed Deputy Minister for Education in November 2025.
Her son-in-law, Mohamed Mchengerwa, was also appointed Minister for Health, sparking concerns over nepotism.
