MWE Correspondent
The Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Albert Chalamila, has proposed a new and unconventional idea that could see Tanzania’s security organs directly involved in operating the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, in a move aimed at strengthening trust between citizens and state security agencies.
Chalamila said institutions such as the Police Force, the Prisons Service and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) could be assigned roles in running BRT services, arguing that daily interaction between officers and civilians would help reduce fear and build stronger social cohesion.
He made the remarks during the closing ceremony of senior leadership and second-class leadership training courses for prison officers, held at the Tanzania Correctional Training Academy in Ukonga, Dar es Salaam.
According to Chalamila, integrating security personnel into public transport operations would allow citizens to interact with them in everyday life rather than only in enforcement contexts, potentially reshaping public perception of security institutions.
He suggested that if security agencies were given responsibility for operating some of the rapid transit buses, commuters would regularly travel alongside officers, fostering familiarity and improving community relations.
The proposal comes at a time when Dar es Salaam continues to expand its urban transport infrastructure, with the Bus Rapid Transit system playing a central role in easing congestion in the rapidly growing city.
The idea has already sparked discussion over how public service roles could be diversified beyond traditional boundaries, particularly in sectors such as transport where efficiency and public trust are key concerns.
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During the same event, the government also highlighted progress in correctional reform and rehabilitation programmes, which aim to equip inmates with skills that can support their reintegration into society after release.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was also praised during the ceremony for her role in promoting rehabilitation-focused prison reforms, having been recognised with the “Champion of Prisoner Rehabilitation Concept” award presented by the Minister for Home Affairs, Patrobas Katambi.
The award was issued during the same training graduation event for prison officers covering the 2025/2026 cycle, held on May 9, 2026, at the correctional training academy.
Officials say the combined focus on rehabilitation and institutional reform reflects a broader government effort to modernise public service delivery while strengthening relationships between state institutions and the communities they serve.
However, the proposal to involve security organs in public transport is likely to generate further debate over operational efficiency, public perception, and the appropriate boundaries between civilian services and military or security roles.
