All Tanzanian prisons now use clean cooking energy, Bashungwa confirms
DODOMA: THE Minister for Home Affairs, Innocent Bashungwa, has announced that the government has successfully enabled all prisons across the country to use clean energy for cooking food for inmates and detainees. This move is part of the national environmental protection campaign aimed at promoting sustainable practices.
Speaking in Parliament today, May 26, 2025, in Dodoma while presenting the Ministry of Home Affairs’ budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, Minister Bashungwa stated that all 129 prisons in the country are now using clean energy for cooking. He noted that this achievement fulfills the government’s objective of rolling out clean energy solutions to all prisons nationwide.
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In his address, Bashungwa also reported a significant increase in the ministry’s budget—from TZS 939.08 billion in the 2021/22 financial year to TZS 2.06 trillion for 2025/26. This represents a 120% increase, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving internal services and infrastructure.
The minister further highlighted that 66 out of the 129 prisons have already adopted the online court system, which has greatly contributed to expediting case hearings, reducing transportation costs for inmates and detainees, and ensuring timely delivery of justice. The remaining prisons are expected to be integrated into the system by the 2028/2029 financial year.
Regarding the Fire and Rescue Force, Bashungwa said the ministry has purchased various fire and rescue equipment worth USD 100 million. This includes 40 ambulances for disaster response, 30 communication and command vehicles for firefighting operations, and six mobile workshops for the maintenance of vehicles and machinery.
Through these initiatives, the government demonstrates its dedication to enhancing infrastructure, safeguarding the environment, and strengthening access to justice. These developments also reflect the government’s broader vision to bring about positive transformation in the internal security sector for the country’s sustainable development.
