Catholic Church Mourns Dedicated Priest: Father Anselmo Mwang’amba Passes Away at 77
Unguja, Zanzibar – The Catholic Church is preparing to bid farewell to Father Anselmo Mwang’amba, a devoted priest who served the community for 44 years, as his funeral is scheduled for March 4, 2025, at Kitope Church in the North Region of Unguja.
Father Mwang’amba, born on June 4, 1948, in Mbozi District, Mbeya Region, passed away on February 27, 2025, while serving at his church. Church officials revealed that chronic back problems ultimately led to his death.
The Zanzibar Diocese secretary general described Father Mwang’amba as a skilled and dedicated priest who served faithfully from his youth until his final days. “The church has suffered a great loss,” the church leader said, emphasizing the priest’s significant contribution to the religious community.
Ordained as a priest in 1981 at the age of 33, Father Mwang’amba worked extensively across Unguja and Pemba islands, leaving a lasting impact on the local Catholic community.
The priest’s life was marked by remarkable resilience, notably surviving a serious acid attack in September 2013 in the Mlandege area. The attack, which left him injured on his face, chest, and hands, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his faith and community.
As the church prepares to lay him to rest, Father Mwang’amba is remembered as a beacon of devotion, skill, and perseverance, leaving behind a legacy of service and spiritual leadership.
