Mpwapwa

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GERMAN RULE

However it was the station at Mpwapwa which was crucial for securing the caravan road and for maintaining the trade through Bagamoyo. Previously, in recounting the expedition to Mpwapwa, we have touched on the significance of this locality in military terms. However of much greater importance is the fact that Mpwapwa is the central meeting-point for all the caravan roads which lead from the lakes to the coast. All the routes which come from the whole basin of Lake Tanganyika to Tabora, and which then diverge in various directions, join up again at Mpwapwa. Even the caravans coming from the southern shore of Lake Victoria, and from the west of that lake—from Uganda, Unyoro, and Karagwe—choose the route via Mpwapwa. Ensuring the security of this locality was thus of supreme importance.

Emin's (Pasha)arrival at Mpwapwa brought welcome medical expertise for the treatment of dysentery, which was raging in the German camp. On 13 November 1889 Stanley, Emin and their large caravan resumed their journey eastwards.

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Picture Gallery of Mpwapwa

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  Indian Traders recorded to be in Mpwapwa in the German Colonial Handbook 1908.
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  Mpwapwa Station, German east Africa 1910.
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  Mpwapwa Main Street, 1950's. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Alnoor Abdalla, Vancouver)
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  Mpwapwa Progressive Club 1961 (formerly a colonial recreation centre)(Photo courtesy of Dr. Alnoor Abdalla, Vancouver)
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  Mpwapwa Progressive Club Swimming pool.(Photo courtesy of Dr. Alnoor Abdalla, Vancouver)