Morogoro Cemetery
- Country Tanzania
- Total identified casualties 384 Find these casualties
- Identified casualties from First World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: -6.84595, Longitude: 37.66665
Historical Note
Within this cemetery is a screen wall erected in 1929 to commemorate by name the 48 identified casualties buried within the African Christian portion of this cemetery. Although the graves were registered during the war, they were not marked with headstones in its aftermath.
You can find more information about historical inequalities in commemoration in our Special Committee’s report.
Location information
Morogoro town is situated 195 kilometres West of Dar-Es-Salaam. At the Morogoro Msamvu main bus terminal roundabout, on the main road from Dar-Es-Salaam, take the turning to Korogwe road heading to the town centre. Follow this road straight through the town and past Masika bus stop roundabout until you get to the Morogoro bus stand roundabout. Take the second exit to Boma road (lined with mango trees). Follow this road straight for about 1 kilometre then turn right onto a rough track marked by a CWGC direction sign. After approximately 100 metres, bear left at the fork (also marked by CWGC direction sign) and the cemetery is about 50 metres along the track on your right.
Visiting information
Morogoro Cemetery is open every day between 06:00 and 18:00. Outside these hours the cemetery is locked with a coded padlock. If you intend to visit outside of the opening hours the code to the padlock can be obtained from our office in Kenya on 00 254 20260 4301. The opening hours of this office are Monday-Friday 08:30-12:30, 13:30-16:30 (closed weekends).
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible via main entrance.
For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on telephone number 01628 507200.
History information
At the outbreak of the First World War Tanzania was the core of German East Africa. From the invasion of April 1915, Commonwealth forces fought a protracted and difficult campaign against a relatively small but highly skilled German force under the command of General von Lettow-Vorbeck. When the Germans finally surrendered on 23 November 1918, twelve days after the European armistice, their numbers had been reduced to 155 European and 1,168 African troops.
Morogoro was occupied by Commonwealth forces on the 26 August 1916 and the German civil cemetery was taken over for Commonwealth war burials. Between the beginning of September 1916 and January 1919, 177 burials were carried out by the five medical units which were posted in the town and which were, at the outset, assisted by German medical personnel and civilians. After the Armistice, 169 graves were brought in from other burial grounds, including the following:
BUKU BUKU (or DINA BUKU) GRAVES, between Morogoro and the Mwuha river. The place was occupied in September 1916 and a medical unit was posted there.
DAKAWA (WAMI RIVER), between Morogoro and Handeni.
DUTHUMI MILITARY CEMETERY, between Morogoro and the Rufiji. The place was captured in September, 1916.
KIKEO ROAD CEMETERY, near Kisaki.
RUFIJI RIVER CEMETERY, near Chogowali.
TULO CEMETERY, on the Mikese-Duthumi road. The place was occupied in September 1916.
There are now 384 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery, 4 of which are unidentified. There are 9 non Commonwealth burials here, including 5 unidentified.