Located on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, the Archdiocese of Mwanza traces its roots to 1880 when it was established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Nyanza. In 1883, it was renamed the Apostolic Vicariate of Victoria-Nyanza. By 1929, it became the Apostolic Vicariate of Mwanza. In 1953, it was elevated to the status of a Diocese, and in 1987, it was promoted to a Metropolitan Archdiocese
The evangelization of the Mwanza region began in 1878 when Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) arrived in the Buganda region. In 1883, an agreement with Chief Kiganga led to the establishment of Bukumbi Parish, the first Catholic parish in what is now Mwanza. The area was initially part of the Nyanza Vicariate, under Monsignor Leon Livinhac, who became bishop in 1884.
In 1890, Bishop Joseph Hirth led the Nyanza Vicariate until 1912, when it was divided into the vicariates of Rwanda and Nyanza. By 1929, the Nyanza Vicariate was further divided into the Bukoba and Mwanza Vicariates. Bishop Anthony Oomen led the Mwanza Vicariate until 1948. In 1946, the districts of Musoma, North-Mara, and Maswa were separated to form the Musoma-Maswa Vicariate, and Shinyanga was reassigned from the Diocese of Tabora to the Mwanza Vicariate.
In 1950, Bishop Joseph Blomjous succeeded Bishop Oomen as the second Bishop of Mwanza. Under his leadership, the Diocese saw significant growth and development. In 1956, the Musoma-Maswa Vicariate was divided into the Dioceses of Musoma and Maswa, both entrusted to the Maryknoll Missionaries.
The Diocese continued to expand in the 1960s and 1970s, with the establishment of new parishes and institutions. In 1987, the Diocese was promoted to a Metropolitan Archdiocese, reflecting its growth and importance in the region.
Archbishops of Mwanza:
He served as an Auxiliary Bishop of Mwanza in 1959 by Pope John XXIII. He served in this capacity until 1965, when he was appointed as the second Bishop of Mwanza.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mwanza, in northwest Tanzania covering Mwanza, Kwimba, Misungwi, Magu, and Ilemela, was founded as the Apostolic Vicariate of Nyanza in 1880, became a Diocese in 1953, and a Metropolitan Archdiocese in 1987. Covering 19,062 km², it serves over 875,000 Catholics.
