The usage of Magufuli's photo is defended by Tanzania's new political party.

The founder of Tanzania's Umoja Party said the late President John Magufuli's photo will be used on T-shirts because his views are similar to those of the former leader.

In March of last year, former President Magufuli passed away.

The party has filed an application for registration with the Registrar of Political Parties, who advised it on Tuesday not to engage in political activity until it is officially registered.

Pictures of people claiming to be Umoja Party supporters wearing T-shirts with the party's flag and a photo of Magufuli abound on social media.

Seif Maalim, the party's founder, told the Mwananchi daily that they had leveraged Magufuli's image to popularize their party.

"We didn't have evil intentions by utilizing the late Magufuli's portrait, who is not our member, but we did it to sell ourselves to the public and because our principles relate to what Magufuli stood for," he said.

Mr. Maalim hopes the registrar's office would write to them, pointing out the party's shortcomings and where they went wrong so they may make adjustments, claiming they are not in violation of the registrar's standards.