Ununio: Dar es Salaam’s beautiful but troubled area with growing security issues

As part of the Kunduchi Ward, Ununio has a population of 7,469, according to local government chairman Mwinyijuma Shehe.

However, like many peripheral areas of the city, Ununio still features poorly planned sections, with some completed houses remaining unoccupied and others still under construction.

Security challenges

The Swahili proverb, "beauty of a place is hidden inside a piece of wood," is a stark contrast to the reality in Ununio, particularly in the Kwa Wasomali area.

Kwa Wasomali is known for being particularly dangerous, especially at night, due to troubling reports of crime and murder.

This area includes a forest with thick trees and bushes, which criminals use as hideouts. The forest borders cemeteries and salt farms.

Local residents have informed The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi that criminals use this forest to commit murders or dispose of bodies. The forest, spanning approximately two kilometers and located away from residential areas, serves as a hideout for criminal gangs from outside Ununio.

Ununio residents receive police services from stations in Tegeta, Mbweni, and Kawe, which are reported to be over five kilometers away.

Ununio and crime

On February 11, 2018, Chadema leader Daniel John was abducted and later killed during the by-election campaigns for the Kinondoni constituency. His body was discovered in the forest on February 14.

Read: Chadema youth wing chair to lead burial of slain cadre

Hip Hop artist Ibrahimu Mussa, known as Roma Mkatoliki, was abandoned in Ununio after being abducted in April 2017.

Recent reports indicate similar incidents. Residents have reported finding bodies in the forest or near cemeteries, creating a climate of fear, particularly at night.

Read: Roma Mkatoliki says he was tortured by armed abductors

A recent case involves Chadema member Ally Kibao, who was abducted by unknown individuals on the evening of September 6, 2024, at Kibo Complex, Tegeta, Dar es Salaam, while traveling to Tanga on a Tashriff bus. Kibao’s body was found in Ununio and was buried on September 9 in Tarigube Village, Togoni Ward, Tanga.

Read: Killing of opposition stalwart: 'Never again' |

Ununio Ward Chairman Mwinyijuma Shehe told Mwananchi on September 10, 2024, that they have recently recovered four abandoned bodies: one woman and three men.

"Four years ago, we used to recover three to four bodies per week. I would get calls from residents saying, 'Chairman, someone has died here,' and we would report to the police who would then retrieve the body," he said.

He noted that some bodies recovered were carried by ocean currents from swimming or fishing activities.

Shehe added that these incidents have caused widespread fear among residents, including those from outside Ununio.

According to Shehe, some Mbweni residents now avoid passing through Ununio and instead take a longer route via Tegeta.

Crime control

Residents have been holding frequent meetings with community leaders and police officers from Mbweni, Mbezi Beach, and Tegeta to develop strategies for controlling crime.

Shehe mentioned that they have been working to identify the owner of the land with the forest and ruins to facilitate cleanup efforts.

"We need to find the responsible party and also propose regular patrols, especially at night in the forest and other high-risk areas. This will help deter criminals," he said.

He also suggested that the area, which is close to the road, should be equipped with street lights.

Gervas Mkude, a local resident, emphasized the need for police protection to ensure the area's safety, noting that community policing alone is challenging to manage.

"When we see stopped vehicles, we can’t question them because we don’t know who to ask. We just pass by, but the police have the authority to question and get answers," Mkude said.

He claimed that on the day Kibao’s body was found, a car had been parked in the area for about 45 minutes before leaving, after which the body was discovered.

District Commissioner

Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule stated that there are currently no plans to demolish existing houses or cut down trees in the Kwa Wasomali area.

“Yesterday (September 10), I inspected the area. There are mangroves, which are difficult to cut down. There is no large forest suggesting criminals live there, but we will continue efforts to clear bushes, not just here but also in other areas like Oysterbay, Mbezi Beach, and Salasala,” said Mtambule, who is also the chairman of the district’s security and safety committee.

He has instructed the police to ensure that community policing operates effectively according to the law and to establish community policing in areas where it is lacking.

“I want to reassure Ununio residents of Kwa Wasomali that this is not a widespread security threat; it is an isolated incident, and the government is investigating and taking necessary actions,” he said.

He urged all Kinondoni District residents to participate in community policing, including appointing trained and vetted youth.

He stressed that reinforced security will prevent criminals from entering the area.

Police Force

Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro stated that landowners in Kwa Wasomali need to clean the environment by removing existing trees.

“Landowners need to cut down the trees, similar to what was done at Selander Bridge, to enhance security. There should also be street lights,” Muliro said.

He called on Ununio residents to engage in community policing, as no one will protect their area if they do not participate in policing efforts themselves.

He assured that the police are strengthening security and conducting intelligence operations to apprehend those responsible and closely monitor the area.