Diocese of Bukoba

Msgr. Jovitus Francis Mwijage was born on 2 December 1966 in Bukoba. He studied philosophy at the Ntungamo Major Seminary in Bukoba and theology at the Segerea Senior Seminary in Dar-es-Salaam. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Bukoba on 20 July 1997. After ordination, he first served as deputy parish priest of Mwemage (1997-1998) and teacher of history, Kiswahili, Latin and geography at Rubya Seminary (1999-2005). He was awarded a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2005-2011), and went on to hold the roles of professor of ecclesiastical history at Segerea Senior Seminary (2011-2012) and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) (2012-2023). From 2012 to the present, he has served as national executive director of UMAWATA and member of the Regional Council of Seminaries of Kipalapala, Kibosho, Ntungamo, Segerea and, since 2020, member of the International Economic Committee of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, appointed Rev. Fr Jovitus Francis Mwijage as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba on October 19, 2023. Bishop-elect Jovitus Francis Mwijage was consecrated and officially installed as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba on January 27, 2024. The service was presided over by Cardinal Protase Rugambwa, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tabora, Tanzania, assisted by Bishop Methodius Kilaini, then Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bukoba, and Bishop Almachius Rweyongeza of Kayanga. Bishop Jovitus Francis Mwijage was born on December 2, 1966 in the Bukoba District. After his priestly studies and formation, he was ordained a priest on July 20, 1997. Immediately after his ordination, he was appointed as Assistant Parish Priest of Mwemage Parish and later teacher and formator at Rubya Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba. From 2005 to 2011, he was sent to Rome for further studies, where he obtained his licentiate and later his doctorate in Church History. From February 2012 to November 2023, he served in various capacities as Professor of Church History at Segerea Senior Seminary, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Tanzania, National Executive Secretary of UMAWATA (Association of Diocesan Priests), as National Executive Secretary of the Regional Board of Seminaries, Kipalapala, Kibosho, Ntungamo and Segerea and as a member of the Finance Committee of the PMS (International Secretariat) representing the national directors of the African continent.