The Tanzania peoples defence forces (tpdf) public relations responses to the Mbagala and Gongo la mboto explosions

The main objective of this study was to assess the Tanzania Defence Peoples Forces (TPDF) Public Relations responses during Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto explosions of 2009 and 2011.The specific objectives of the study were, first, to assess the dissemination of information from TPDF to local communities of Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto, and to the rest of Tanzanians during the explosions. The second objective of the study was to assess the cooperation provided by TPDF Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to the government and private media houses during the crises. The third objective was to assess the way TPDF was responsible to public relation activities, during the said explosions. The last objective was, to assess the way TPDF established and coordinated community development programs at Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto areas during and after the explosions.The study tested three theories, namely the Social Responsibility Theory, Concordance Theory and Situation Crisis Theory. The study was qualitative one. The population of study were the Public Relations Officers from TPDF Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Public Relations Officers from the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and National Service, Public Relations Officers from other organizations, ten members of TPDF from Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto and other victims or eye witnesses of Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto explosion crises. The study involved ten interviewees and nineteen respondents. It employed personal interviews, questionnaires and observation to elicit information.The study found out that, although TPDF’s, Directorate of Information and Public Relations successfully played a number of Public Relations Activities during Mbagala and Gongo la Mboto explosion crises, but it did not achieve the required PR Activities procedures. From the findings of the study, a number of recommendations are proposed, so that TPDF does much on Public Relations Activities not only to crises victims but also to the whole publics.