The wreckage of the Toyota Landcruiser University of Dar es Salaam
lecturer Richard (inset) died in after it hit a stationary truck at
Mbezi Beach Africana on Sunday.
A sombre mood engulfed the University of Dar es Salaam’s (UDSM) after it was announced that Dr Richard Mgaya had passed away.
According
to the statement issued to members of UDSM Academic Staff Assembly
(Udasa), Dr Mgaya, who until his death was a lecturer at the university,
was involved in a car accident that occurred on Sunday evening at Mbezi
Africana in the city.
On
Monday, photos went viral on social media showing a Toyota Land Cruiser
in flames. The body of the driver had been burnt beyond recognition.
Yesterday, the statement released to Udasa members explained that Dr Mgaya’s car crashed into a truck and burst into flames.
“There
were photos on social media on Monday showing a car burning. It has now
come to our knowledge that the driver of the illfated car was Dr
Mgaya,” reads part of the statement . The family of the deceased was not
aware of the incident until yesterday.
Dr Mgaya, who was an IT specialist, joined the University of Dar es Salaam four years ago from the United States of America.
He was lecturing at the College of Information and Communication Technology (CoICT).
The
head of the department of Computer Science at CoICT, Dr Honest Kimaro,
said the University has lost a young, talented and skilled academician.
Dr
Mgaya joined CoICT from US four years ago where he specialized in
‘artificial intelligence’. It is believed that Dr Mgaya was the only
person with PhD in the said area of specialisation.
Dr
Kimaro said CoICT and the entire university community has been shocked
and saddened by the demise of one of its members and talented
academician.
“CoICT and University of Dar es Salaam have been saddened by the demise of Dr Mgaya,” said Dr Kimaro.
Source: The Citizen
