Paul Christian Makonda is arguably one of the most powerful, polarizing, and feared political operatives in modern Tanzania. He currently serves as the Regional Commissioner (RC) for Arusha. A fierce loyalist of the late President John Magufuli, Makonda previously served as the RC of Dar es Salaam, where he wielded immense power, launching highly publicized and ruthless crackdowns on LGBTQ+ individuals, drug trafficking, and prostitution. After Magufuli's death in 2021, Makonda fell out of favor and retreated into political obscurity. However, in a shocking political rehabilitation in late 2023, President Samia Suluhu Hassan resurrected Makonda, appointing him as CCM's Ideology and Publicity Secretary to counter the growing opposition wave. In April 2024, he was transferred to become the Arusha Regional Commissioner, a strategic move to lock down the rebellious northern corridor ahead of the 2025 general elections. Makonda is widely viewed as the state's ultimate enforcer, utilizing a populist, heavy-handed approach to governance that terrifies his opponents and deeply divides public opinion.