Road to UDSM Lindi Campus Set for Major Upgrade as Operations Near
By Selemani Nambimbi, CMU
The road leading to the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Lindi Campus is set for a major upgrade after the Government confirmed funding for the construction of a 1.5-kilometre stretch, marking another step towards making the newly established campus fully operational.
The improvement is expected to ease access to the campus and facilitate the movement of students, staff and visitors as UDSM prepares to commence academic activities and admit its first cohort of students at the Lindi Campus.
The commitment was made recently, when a UDSM delegation led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Finance and Administration, and UDSM Coordinator of the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET), Prof. Bernadeta Killian, held discussions with the Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, and the Lindi Regional Commissioner, Adam Kighoma Malima.
The discussions focused on preparations for the commencement of academic activities at the campus, including infrastructure and other requirements necessary for its smooth operation.
Prof. Shemdoe confirmed that funds had already been allocated for the 1.5-kilometre road, with the process towards construction expected to commence soon.
The Minister said the road improvement would form part of the broader preparations to ensure that the campus has the necessary infrastructure to support its operations and serve students and the surrounding community.
At the same time, Lindi Regional Commissioner Adamu Malima directed that the process of securing additional land for the campus be expedited to accommodate its present needs and future expansion.
The measures come as UDSM advances preparations to operationalise its Lindi Campus, located at Ngongo in Lindi Municipality and developed under the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project.
Broader efforts to expand access to higher education
The campus is part of UDSM’s broader efforts to expand access to higher education while strengthening the University’s contribution to development in Southern Tanzania. Its programmes and activities are expected to place emphasis on areas aligned with the region’s development priorities, including agriculture, natural resources and relevant skills development.
Beyond classrooms and lecture halls, the campus is expected to generate wider social and economic opportunities in Lindi. Its growing presence is anticipated to create demand for accommodation, food services, transport, trade and other businesses, while also creating opportunities for communities to benefit from university-based research, knowledge and innovation.
UDSM has therefore encouraged the local community to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities that are expected to emerge as academic and other campus activities expand.
Prof. Killian commended TAMISEMI and the Lindi Regional Government for their continued cooperation and support in establishing the campus, noting that the partnership has been important from the process of securing land through construction and preparations for operationalisation.
“UDSM appreciates the continued support and cooperation from TAMISEMI and the Lindi Regional Government. We promise to continue overseeing the completion of construction and preparations to welcome new students so that the vision of establishing a UDSM campus in Lindi becomes a reality,” Prof. Killian said.
With the road improvement and other preparations progressing, the development of the Lindi Campus represents more than an expansion of UDSM’s physical presence. It is expected to strengthen access to higher education in Southern Tanzania while positioning the University as a partner in the region’s social and economic transformation.