Archdiocese of Mwanza—

Renatus Leonard Nkwande was born on November 12, 1965, in the village of Mantare, Sumve parish, in the Archdiocese of Mwanza. From 1974 to 1980, he attended primary school in Sumve. He entered St. Pius’ Junior Seminary in 1981 to pursue his O-Level studies. In 1984, he continued his education at St. Mary’s Junior Seminary in Nyegezi. In 1987, he entered Kibosho Major Seminary for philosophy studies. In 1989, he moved to St. Charles Lwanga Seminary in Dar es Salaam for theological studies. After a pastoral year, he was ordained a priest on July 2, 1995, and incardinated into the Archdiocese of Mwanza. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1995–1996: Assistant Parish Priest in Magu; 1996–2002: Rector of St. Mary’s Junior Seminary in Nyegezi and, for a few months in 2002, Parish Priest in Ilemela; 2002–2005: Studies in Rome for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University; 2005–2007: Notary, Managing Director of Self-Reliance Projects, and Diocesan Bursar; 2008–2009: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mwanza; since 2009: Diocesan Administrator of the same Archdiocese.