AFRICA/TANZANIA - Creation of the Diocese of Bunda and appointment of the first Bishop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On November 27, 2010, the Holy Father Benedict XVI created the Diocese of Bunda (Tanzania), with territory from the Archdiocese of Mwanza and from the Diocese of Musoma, making it a suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Mwanza. The Holy Father has appointed the first Bishop of Bunda, the Rev. Renatus Leonard Nkwande, Diocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese of Mwanza.
The new Diocese of Bunda (nom. lat. Bundan /us/), will consist of two districts: the Bunda District, in the Mara Region, and the district of Ukerewe and Ukara in the Mwanza Region, made up of 25 small islands. In addition, two parishes (Saragana and Mabu) in the district of Musoma will pass over to the foundling Diocese. With regards to the borders of the foundling Diocese, the Suguti River, which lies to the east of Bunda city and flows into Lake Victoria, will become the natural border between the Dioceses of Musoma and that of Bunda. The parish church of St Paul's in Bunda, will become the Cathedral of the foundling diocese.
The Rev. Renatus Leonard Nkwande was born 12 November, 1965, in the village of Manta, Sumve parish in the Archdiocese of Mwanza. From 1974 to 1980 he attended primary schools in Sumve. He joined the St Pius' Junior Seminary in 1981, to achieve his O-Levels. In 1984 he continued his studies at St Mary's Junior Seminary in Nyegezi. In 1987 he entered the Kibosho Major Seminary for the Study of Philosophy. In 1989 he then moved to St Charles Lwanga Seminary in Dar-es-Salaam to study theology. After a pastoral year, was ordained priest on 2 July, 1995 and based in the Archdiocese of Mwanza. After priestly Ordination he served in the following ministries: 1995-1996: Deputy Assistant Parish Priest in Magu; 1996-2002: Rector of St Mary's Junior Seminary in Nyegezi and for some months in 2002, Parish Priest in Ilemela; 2002-2005: Studied in Rome for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University; 2005-2007: Notary, Managing Director of Self-Reliance Projects, and Diocesan Treasurer; 2008-2009: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mwanza; Since 2009: Diocesan Administrator of the same Archdiocese. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2010)