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Get to know the dedicated professionals behind our success -
Dr. Joseph Stephen Mayunga
Biography
Dr. Mayunga is a specialist in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Disaster Risk Management. He serves in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the College of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Dar es Salaam. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences, specializing in Environmental Hazards, from Texas A&M University, USA. He also holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation from the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), now part of the University of Twente, The Netherlands.
With over 20 years of experience in research, training, and consultancy, Dr. Mayunga has contributed extensively to the advancement of GIS, Remote Sensing, and Disaster Risk Management. He has participated in numerous research projects, consultancy assignments, and training programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with a focus on the application of geospatial science and technology.
Research Interest
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing
Geospatial Data Analysis and Modeling
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment
Risk Analysis
Disaster Resilience
Climate change Mitigation and Adaptation
Contacts
Email:
Projects
July 2025- December 2025: Acquisition and deployment of the Koha Integrated Library System (ILS) for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat. (Reference Number: SADC/3/5/4/105), Funded by the SADC secretariat.
Role: Project Member
2025 – 2026: Designing, Development, Installation and Commissioning of the Geological and Mineral Information System for the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST). Funded by the Government of Tanzania.
Role: Project member
2025 – 2026: Development, Testing, Training and Commissioning of Geo-Statistical Research Infrastructure for Industrialization System, for the National Land use Planning Commission (NLUPC), Funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Fund (KOAFEC).
Role: Project Member
2020 – 2024: Social innovations in Geo-ICT education at Tanzanian HEIs for improved employability (GeoICT4e Project), Funded by the Government of Finland.
Role: Project Member
2018-2020: Development of a Disaster preparedness and Response Plan and a Disaster Risk Reduction Plan for Dar es salaam City (JIPANGE Project), Funded by the World Bank.
Role: National Team Leader
2019 - 2020: Resilience Academy activities and Climate Risk Data Repository for Tanzanian Universities (RESILIENCE ACADEMY Project), Funded by the World Bank.
Role: Project Member
2018 – 2019: Development of Training, Exercises and Drills (TED) program for DarMAERT (TED Project), Funded by the World Bank.
Role: Project Member
2017 – 2020: Geospatial and ICT capacities in Tanzanian Higher Education Institutions (Geo-ICT Project), funded by the Government of Finland
Role: Project Coordinator
Publications
Sweya, N.S., Wilkinson, S., Mayunga, J.S., Joseph, A., Lugomela, G., and Victor, J. (2020), Development of a Tool to Measure Resilience against Floods for Water Supply Systems in Tanzania. Journal of Management in Engineering, Vol. 36 (4), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-479.0000783.
Sweya, L.N., Wilkinson S.., Kassenga G. and Mayunga J.S. (2019), Developing a tool to measure the organizational resilience of Tanzania's water supply systems, Global Business and Organizational Excellent (GBOE), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.21985.
Elinasi Monga, Mwita M. Mangora, and Joseph S. Mayunga (2018), Mangrove cover change detection in the Rufiji Delta in Tanzania, WIO Journal of Marine Science, Vol.17 (2 )1-1
N. Käyhkö, C. William, J. Mayunga, M.O. Makame, E. Mauya, & A. Järvi (2018). Building geospatial competences in Tanzanian Universities with open-source solutions, The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol. XLII-4/W8, 2018.
Joseph S. Mayunga & Guido A. Uhinga (2018). Mapping Spatial Distribution of Mangrove Forest in Mafia Island Using Landsat-8 OLI Imagery and in situ data. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (IAPRSS), Vol.XLII-4-W8-133-2018
Joseph S. Mayunga (2012). Why disaster victims avoid public shelters? Assessment of public shelter users’ satisfaction. Natural Hazards Review, Vol. 13(82)
Robert B. Kiunsi, Manoris V. Meshack, Guido Uhinga, Joseph S. Mayunga, Fanuel Mlenge, Conrad Kabala, Nahson Sigilla, & Maria Bilia (2006). Disaster Vulnerability Assessment: The Tanzania Experience (pg.227-245). A book Chapter in J. Birkmann, (Ed.). Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards: Towards Disaster Resilient Societies. New York: United Nations University Press.