the midst of escalating Tanzania election protests 2025, Nigerian influencer Priscilla Ojo has swiftly addressed viral rumors swirling around her husband, Tanzanian singer and entrepreneur Juma Jux. The couple, who have captivated fans with their high-profile romance and recent marriage, found themselves at the center of a storm when reports claimed Jux's luxury fashion boutique in Dar es Salaam was set ablaze by angry demonstrators.
However, Priscilla, daughter of Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo, took to Snapchat to set the record straight, emphasizing resilience in the face of chaos. "Looted, not burnt.
God is in control," she stated, her words a poignant mix of clarification and faith, quickly quelling speculation that the multimillion-dollar establishment had been reduced to ashes.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of Tanzania's highly contentious presidential election held on October 29, 2025, which has ignited widespread Tanzania unrest and drawn international scrutiny. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking re-election under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, faced minimal opposition after the Independent National Electoral Commission disqualified major challengers from the Chadema party in April for refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct.
Critics, including Human Rights Watch, labeled the process as deeply flawed, accusing authorities of suppressing dissent and manipulating voter rolls. As provisional results poured in showing Hassan securing commanding leads in key constituencies frustrated citizens took to the streets of Dar es Salaam and other cities, clashing with police in violent confrontations. Amnesty International reported at least two deaths from police gunfire, while eyewitnesses described scenes of burning tires, tear gas clouds, and opportunistic looting that left businesses in ruins. The government responded by ordering civil servants and students to stay home on October 30, a move that only amplified fears of prolonged instability.Juma Jux, born Juma Mussa Juma in 1989 in Dar es Salaam, is no stranger to the spotlight. Rising from humble beginnings as a teenage rapper, he transitioned into Bongo Flava and R&B stardom, earning accolades like the Best R&B Song at the 2015 Kili Music Awards and Best East African Music Video at the 2017 Zanzibar International Film Festival.
His 2019 debut album, The Love Album, featured collaborations with heavyweights like Diamond Platnumz and Vanessa Mdee, solidifying his status as a pan-African icon. Beyond music, Jux has built an impressive fashion empire, with his boutique stocking exclusive designer labels and symbolizing his entrepreneurial leap. Valued at over $780,000 (though some exaggerated reports claimed $780 million, likely a typographical error in viral posts), the store represented years of hustle and diversification.
Yet, Jux's ventures have not been without controversy. In 2018, his hit "Uzuri Wako" was banned by the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority for being "immoral," a decision that echoed broader censorship under the late President John Magufuli. More recently, his perceived alignment with President Hassan's administration has painted a target on his back.This Juma Jux political support controversy traces back to earlier in 2025, when Tanzanians began gearing up for the polls. As opposition voices grew louder, calling for electoral reforms amid allegations of fraud, celebrities like Jux faced intense backlash for their silence—or worse, subtle endorsements of the status quo. Social media erupted with accusations that Jux, alongside peers like Billnass and Shilole, had cozied up to CCM, betraying fans who once viewed them as cultural rebels.
In June, Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi publicly urged Priscilla and Jux to "lay low" and halt their romantic posts, claiming such "stupid content" distracted from the "fight of a lifetime" for democratic rights. "We need our people to pay attention to the fight, so we don’t need you and Jux to distract our people with content that the government wants you guys to post," she wrote, sparking a fierce defense from Iyabo Ojo.
The actress fired back, slamming Kimambi as an outsider meddling from afar and affirming her family's right to live freely. The exchange highlighted simmering tensions: protesters saw stars like Jux as complicit in a system that barred opposition leaders, fueling targeted vandalism during the riots.
Eyewitness accounts from the Dar es Salaam protests paint a grim picture. Jux's boutique was among several celebrity-owned spots hit hard Billnass's studio was ransacked, and Shilole's Shishi Food restaurant was looted and torched. Demonstrators, chanting against electoral manipulation, specifically zeroed in on businesses linked to pro-government figures, viewing them as symbols of elite indifference.
Videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) show crowds smashing windows and carting off luxury goods, with some users justifying the acts as "justice" for perceived political betrayal. Priscilla's clarification that the store was looted but structurally intact offers a sliver of relief, but the financial toll remains steep. High-end inventory vanished into the night, underscoring how Tanzania post-election violence has blurred lines between political rage and outright opportunism.
For Priscilla and Jux, whose whirlwind romance blossomed into marriage earlier this year, the episode is a stark reminder of fame's double edge. The couple, parents to a newborn son welcomed amid lavish celebrations, had been basking in cross-cultural bliss Priscilla's Nigerian flair blending seamlessly with Jux's East African roots. Their union, complete with royal receptions in Tanzania and Nigeria, symbolized unity in a divided world. Yet, as Tanzania grapples with its democratic crisis, the looting serves as a cautionary tale. Jux has yet to comment publicly, leaving fans speculating on his next move.
Will he address the political undercurrents, or focus on rebuilding?As Tanzania protests rage on, with Reuters reporting renewed clashes on October 30 involving gunshots and tear gas, the international community watches closely. Activists demand accountability for the violence, while analysts warn of regional ripple effects if reforms stall. For Priscilla, her poised response "Looted, not burnt.
God is in control" resonates as more than damage control; it's a testament to unshakeable optimism. In a year marked by global upheavals, from Kenyan youth-led reforms to Ugandan crackdowns, Jux's ordeal spotlights how artists navigate power's precarious dance.
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#LootedNotBurnt
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#JuxVsYouth
#MangeKimambiWarning
#BongoFlavaUnderFire
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