Abstract. Full text available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101705The study assesses the pollution levels and sources in soils of As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni and Se in the central Dodoma region of Tanzania from estimations of CF, EF, Igeo, PLI and RI together with PCA, FA and HCA multivariate techniques. Generally, the capital city’s regional area is polluted with these heavy metals with PLI > 1 and EFs > 40. The Igeo also shows concerning concentration levels of As with 60.77 % of the study area being moderately to extremely polluted by As and As, Cd and Pb are the heavy metals that requires immediate monitoring within the Dodoma region. The multivariate analysis supports a dominant geogenic source of these heavy metals with the mafic ore bearing lithology controlling these elemental concentrations in soils via chemical weathering of pyrites, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite as the most probable geological process releasing these heavy metals into the soil. The fast growing industrialization of the region with its associated commercial agriculture activities, also contributes although it may be small for now, to the heavy metals contents in soils within the area. With the pace of industrialization coupled with the desire of the country to create jobs through small scale activities, it is appropriate and timely to assess the levels of As, Cd and Pb in surface and groundwater as well as in some cereals like maize or millet which are the main stay of the people, and should be centered at the northern and central parts of the region. This is necessary for effective public health monitoring and to enhance environmental management practices in the region.