Who is Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the chief runner at this year's Rotary Cancer Run?

Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the  former President of Tanzania is in Uganda ready for the Rotary Cancer Run set for Sunday 31st August 2014.

Mwinyi is the chief runner.

More than 25,000 runners are expected to participate in the 21km, 10km and 5km categories.

The Rotary Cancer Run is aimed at raising money to complete a 36-bed capacity cancer ward that is estimated to cost Ushs1.3 billion.

The Rotary Cancer Run will kick off from Kololo Ceremonial grounds at 7am.

But who is Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the chief runner at this year’s Rotary Cancer Run?

Ali Hassan Mwinyi was born on May 8, 1925, in Kivure, Tanganyika and raised in Zanzibar (which joined with Tanganyika in 1964 to form present day Tanzania). He is a trained to be a teacher and a Muslim by religion

Political career
In 1970, Mwinyi was appointed Minister of State in the President’s Office Between 1970 and 1972, he was appointed Minister for Health in the Union Government. From 1972 to 1975, he was Minister for Home Affairs in.

In 1975 he was appointed Ambassador to Egypt where he served for two years. From 177 to 1981, Mr. Mwinyi was Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism in the Union Government From 1982 to 1983, He was Minister of State in the Vice- President’s Office.

In 1983, he was Interim President of Zanzibar and Interim Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. In 1984, He was elected President of Zanzibar, Chairman of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council and appointed Vice-President of the Union Government.

Mwinyi was elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania in 1985 and was reelected in 1990.

Mwinyi led Tanzania at a period when the country was undergoing tremendous transformation economically, socially and politically.

It was during his first term that Tanzania embarked, with speed, on economic reforms. It was during his second term that Tanzania adopted multipartysm.

It was in the same term that Tanzania saw a proliferation of diverse media institutions. Mwinyi is credited and remembered for his liberalism.

Ali Hassan Mwinyi is a humble person, wise and fond of reading. He also enjoys playing with his grandchildren or tending his fruits garden at his Msasani residence