More than 2,000 young motorcycle and Bajaj riders in Dodoma are expected to benefit from a new programme designed to make quality tyres more affordable and improve road safety.
The initiative, known as Gurudumu la Mama, was officially launched on May 28, 2025 in the city by the Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Hon. Rosemary Senyamule.
The programme is coordinated by RoadMaster Company and targets informal transport operators, many of whom struggle to replace worn-out tyres due to high prices.
Under the scheme, a tyre that usually costs TZS 70,000 will be made available for just TZS 10,000 as an upfront payment, with the remaining balance paid in daily installments of TZS 1,800 over one month.
Speaking at the launch, RoadMaster Director and programme coordinator Mr. Thuwein Makamba said the idea behind Gurudumu la Mama is to reduce unnecessary road accidents caused by worn tyres while easing the financial burden on youth who rely on motorcycles and Bajaj for daily income.
“Many riders face difficulties accessing quality tyres due to high prices. This programme allows a young person to get a tyre for just TZS 10,000 upfront and then pay slowly over a month. The idea is to give them safety first before they worry about gathering a large sum of money at once,” he said.
He added that the programme complements national efforts to empower youth and informal workers.
“This programme supports the great work being done by Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan in caring for Bajaj and motorcycle riders across the nation,” he said.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Hon. Rosemary Senyamule welcomed the initiative and said it would help youth improve their livelihoods.
She, however, cautioned riders to obey traffic laws to reduce the number of accidents.
“This programme is a great step forward, but I urge all riders to follow the law. Many accidents can be avoided if people stop being careless and take road safety seriously,” she said.
Dodoma Urban MP Hon. Anthony Mavunde also praised the programme and encouraged young riders to make full use of the financial empowerment opportunities provided by the government.
“I have supported the youth in forming SACCOS so they can benefit from the 10% loan fund. The city has set aside Tsh 7 billion to lend to women, youth, and people with disabilities. This is a great chance for every young person to own their own motorcycle or Bajaj,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Union of Motorcycle and Bajaj Riders in Dodoma (UMAPIDO), Mr. Marwa Chacha Nyagate, thanked President Samia for continuing to support vulnerable groups.
“We are thankful to President Samia for continuing to care about special groups in our society. This is a chance we cannot miss. The payment method is friendly and makes it easy for us to keep our vehicles in good condition,” he said.
The first phase of the Gurudumu la Mama programme will benefit over 2,000 riders in Dodoma, with plans to expand the initiative to other regions across the country.
