Joseph Isangura
Early on Friday, December 6, 2024, a bus carrying Tanzanian Members of Parliament (MPs) collided with a lorry in Mbande, Kongwa District, Dodoma Region, resulting in injuries to 19 individuals.
Among those injured were 16 legislators, two parliamentary officers, and the bus driver. The group was en route to Mombasa, Kenya, to participate in the 14th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games.
According to Dodoma Regional Police Commander George Katabazi, the accident occurred around 2 a.m. He explained that the bus driver, while attempting to overtake another vehicle, failed to exercise proper caution, leading to a head-on collision with an oncoming lorry.
All injured passengers were promptly transported to local hospitals, including Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, and Uhuru Hospital. Fortunately, their conditions are reported as stable, and they are receiving medical care. Police have since detained the bus driver for further investigation, citing reckless driving as the likely cause.
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The MPs were heading to the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games, an annual event aimed at promoting unity and collaboration among legislators from member states. This year’s games, scheduled from December 6 to 17 in Mombasa, offer a platform for fostering teamwork and regional harmony through various sporting activities.
The incident has prompted discussions about road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar occurrences. Local authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, while community members express gratitude that there were no fatalities.
