Sospeter Muhongo

Sospeter Mwijarubi Muhongo MP (born 25 June 1954) is a Tanzanian geologist and a nominated member of the Tanzanian Parliament.

He served as the Minister of Energy and Minerals from May 2012 until his resignation in January 2015 following the Tegeta escrow scandal. He was succeeded by his deputy George Simbachawene. He won the parliamentary constituency of Musoma Rural in the general election and was thereafter appointed to his former portfolio by President John Magufuli.

Life and career

He was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of African Earth Sciences.

He is a fellow of several highly learned professional societies including the Geological Society of London., the Geological Society of America, the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and the Tanzania Academy of Sciences.

He also is the vice-president for , 2005-to date.

Has also worked as a Visiting Researcher, University of Mainz, Germany in 2000–2009

He was the founder and first executive director of the International Council for Science (ICSU)- Africa Region. ICSU is a non-governmental organisation with a global membership of national scientific bodies (121 members) and international scientific unions (30 members).

In 2009, he was among the nominated candidates from Tanzania, for the post of Director General for UNESCO.

Honours and awards

Awards 1977: Vice-Chancellor's Prize, University of Dar es Salaam 2006: National Award for Research in Science and Technology (NARST) by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology 2007: The Honours Award of the Geological Society of South Africa.

Honorary University of Pretoria, Honorary Professor of Geology since 2006 Honorary Research Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (FCAGS)

Publications Muhongo is the author or co-author of over 150 scientific articles and technical papers and has co-authored the publication of large-scale geological maps of Africa, East Africa and Tanzania.

List of selected publications Muhongo, S., Gudyanga, F.P., Enow, A.A. and Nyanganyura, D. (Editors), (2009). Science, Technology and Innovation for Socio-Economic Development: Success Stories from Africa, 175 pp, Pretoria, South Africa Fritz, H., Tenczer, V., Hauzenberger, C., Wallbrecher, E. and Muhongo, S., (2009). Hot granulite nappes – tectonic styles and thermal evolution of Proterozoic Granulite Belt in East Africa. Tectonophysics 477, Issue 3–4, 160–173. Muhongo, S., (2009). Managing the Future of Planet Earth: The role of knowledge, science, technology and innovation. In: Future of Planet Earth, Seminar Proceedings, Foundation For the Future (FFF)/UNESCO publication, p. 147–153. P. Pinna, S. Muhongo, et al. (2004) Geology and Mineral Map of Tanzania. Scale: 1:2.000.000 . (BRGM-UDSM-GST team)