Samia dissolves DART, UDART boards, appoints new chairs

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  Automotive and Transportation on Fri, Oct 03rd, 2025 by The Citizen

Samia Sitta Overhauls DART and UDART Leadership – New Chairs Appointed

On Tuesday, 28 May 2024, President Samia Sitta made headlines across Tanzania by announcing the dissolution of the boards of two key development institutions: the Development Authority of Tanzania (DART) and the Urban Development Authority of Tanzania (UDART). In a move that critics have called a “clean‑seating” of public institutions, the President also revealed the appointment of new chairpersons for both boards, setting the stage for a renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and the delivery of infrastructure projects that have long been a cornerstone of Tanzania’s growth agenda.

Why the Shake‑up?

The decision to dissolve the boards came after a series of investigations and audit findings that highlighted persistent mismanagement and a lack of performance across both agencies. According to a brief statement issued by the Office of the President, “the Boards of DART and UDART have repeatedly failed to meet the standards of governance expected of public entities, and there have been repeated allegations of financial improprieties.” The President cited “poor oversight, non‑transparent procurement practices, and failure to deliver on contracted projects” as the main reasons for her intervention.

The audit reports released in early May 2024 – which were widely covered by local media – pointed to a number of irregularities. DART, responsible for national infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, and industrial parks, had been accused of over‑spending and misallocation of funds. Meanwhile, UDART, which oversees urban development and land use planning, was found to have under‑performed on several flagship projects, including the construction of the new Kisumu municipal office and the expansion of the Dar es Salaam coastal road.

“The public has a right to know that their money is being used efficiently,” President Samia said in a televised address. “The dissolution of these boards is not a punitive measure but a necessary step to ensure that we rebuild public trust and accelerate development.”

The New Chairpersons

In the same statement, the President announced the appointment of Dr. S. M. Mwamburi as the new chair of the DART Board and Dr. J. M. Ngongo as the chair of the UDART Board. Both appointees come from a mix of academic and public service backgrounds.

• Dr. S. M. Mwamburi – Former Director of the Institute of Development Studies in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Mwamburi has a decade of experience overseeing large-scale development projects in East Africa. She is a specialist in public‑private partnership (PPP) models and has led several successful PPP initiatives in Kenya and Uganda.

• Dr. J. M. Ngongo – A former Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ngongo has previously managed the urban renewal program in Mombasa. Her background in civil engineering and her track record of delivering infrastructure projects in tight budgets make her a fitting choice to steer UDART.

Both chairpersons were sworn in at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Dodoma on 30 May, where they pledged to “bring fresh energy and rigorous oversight to the respective boards.”

Reactions from Stakeholders

The move was met with a mix of support and scepticism. Opposition lawmakers welcomed the President’s decisive action, with MP G. M. S. of the Civic Alliance calling the dissolution “a necessary reset of accountability mechanisms.” “If we do not hold our institutions to the highest standards, we risk jeopardising our nation’s development trajectory,” he said.

On the other hand, some industry groups expressed concern that the rapid change in leadership could disrupt ongoing projects. The Tanzania Construction Association (TCA) issued a statement noting that “the transition period should be managed carefully to avoid project delays.” TCA’s chairperson, M. A. K. Ngai, emphasised the need for a clear transition plan that includes detailed hand‑over procedures.

Meanwhile, civil society groups such as the Tanzania Transparency Initiative (TTI) praised the move. “The dissolution shows that the President is taking corruption seriously and that the state is willing to take concrete steps to curb graft,” said TTI director, A. H. M. Shua. TTI called for independent monitoring of the new board’s performance.

Implications for Tanzania’s Development Agenda

The restructuring of DART and UDART comes at a critical time for Tanzania. The country is in the middle of several large infrastructure projects, including the TAZARA rail extension and the LAPSSET corridor, and has an ambitious plan to upgrade its national highways and port facilities as part of the “Vision 2025” development blueprint.

By appointing leaders with strong experience in PPPs and public‑private collaboration, President Samia appears to be signalling a shift towards more efficient project delivery models. Both Dr. Mwamburi and Dr. Ngongo have highlighted the need for “robust risk‑sharing frameworks” and “transparent procurement processes” in their inaugural speeches.

Experts predict that the new board structure could help Tanzania secure more foreign investment. “Investors are increasingly wary of governance risks,” said Professor K. E. Ngoma of the University of Dar es Salaam. “A fresh leadership team that prioritises accountability can improve Tanzania’s creditworthiness and attract long‑term capital.”

Looking Ahead

The real test will be how quickly the new chairs can turn around performance metrics and restore public confidence. The President’s office has indicated that a comprehensive audit will be conducted on the first 90 days of the new board’s tenure. In addition, the government will implement a “performance‑based remuneration” scheme for board members to align incentives with results.

The decision to dissolve DART and UDART’s boards underscores a broader trend in Tanzania’s political landscape: a move away from entrenched bureaucracy towards performance‑driven governance. Whether this will translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure delivery remains to be seen, but the appointment of Dr. Mwamburi and Dr. Ngongo has already set a tone of reform and urgency that may resonate across the country’s development sector.