A bus carrying Tanzanian Members of Parliament (MPs) was involved in a serious accident on Friday while traveling to Mombasa for the East African Community (EAC) inter-parliamentary sports games. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula confirmed the incident, reassuring the public that, fortunately, there were no fatalities. However, he noted that several individuals had sustained injuries and were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The bus was reported to have collided head-on with a lorry in the Mbande area, located in Kongwa District within Tanzania’s Dodoma region. Initial investigations by the police suggest that the bus driver failed to exercise proper caution when overtaking another vehicle, which led to the crash. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A total of 19 people were confirmed injured in the collision, including 16 lawmakers, two parliamentary staff members, and the bus driver. These individuals were swiftly transported to various medical facilities in Dodoma, including Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, and Uhuru Hospital. The injuries sustained ranged from minor to serious, but none were deemed life-threatening. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, expressed his concern for the victims and wished them all a speedy recovery, noting that more details would be available once the team managing the sports games arrived in Mombasa.
The accident occurred just days before the EAC inter-parliamentary sports games, which kicked off on Friday, December 6, and are set to run until Wednesday, December 18. The games are a highly anticipated event in the East African region, and this year marks the 14th edition of the games. Participating countries include Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), and the host nation, Kenya.
These games feature eight sports disciplines: football, netball, volleyball, basketball, darts, athletics, tug-of-war, and golf. Six main venues have been chosen to host the events, with additional sites designated for training purposes. Some of the key venues include Mbaraki Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovation, Aga Khan Academy, KPA Makande Hall, Nyali Golf Club, and Shanzu Teachers Training College.
Mbaraki Stadium will host events for football, athletics, and tug-of-war, while Shanzu Teachers Training College will also feature these same events. The Aga Khan Academy and KPA Makande Hall will be used for netball, volleyball, basketball, and darts for Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Golf will be held at the Nyali Golf Club.
The EAC games are an opportunity for lawmakers across East Africa to engage in friendly competition and promote regional unity and cooperation. The games were set to officially open on Saturday, December 7, with an opening ceremony that will feature a procession from the Office of the Mombasa Governor to Mama Ngina Waterfront. The ceremony will also include speeches by key dignitaries and officials involved in the event.
Despite the accident, the games are expected to continue as planned, with the EAC games being a significant highlight for participants and spectators alike. While the accident has understandably cast a shadow over the event, the focus remains on ensuring the injured MPs and staff members receive the necessary medical attention and that the games proceed smoothly.