Tanzania Mainland today marks 53 years of its independence with President Jakaya Kikwete expected to lead the nation in celebrations at Uhuru Stadium.

This year’s commemoration will be President Kikwete’s last as he will leave office next year after serving two terms in line with the Constitution.

The General Election will be held next October.

The Head of State is expected to inspect the Independence Day parade accompanied by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Davis Mwamunyange.

The Chief of Protocol, Mr Juma Maharage, told The Citizen Monday that there would be no invited foreign dignitaries this year.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Presidential Communications said President Kikwete had officially started working after a brief rest prescribed by his doctors.

He resumed his official duties by swearing in Mr Daudi Ntibenda as the new Arusha regional commissioner.

“He has resumed his duties and will start working on pending issues awaiting his attention,” a State House statement said.

President Kikwete was successfully operated on in the US last month.

He underwent surgery for prostate cancer at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.