BUKOBA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The Vicariate of B., evangelized by the White Fathers, was erected in 1929 by taking territory from those of Tanganyika, Tabora, and Urundi. It comprises, in addition to the civil province of B., the region of Uria and the district of Kibondo in the province of Kigoma.
The population is about 450,000 souls, mostly Bahaya, with, in the south, a minority of Baha, over an area of 27,230 sq. km. The vicariate, which began with just over 25,000 Catholics, saw them increase by nearly 16,000 by 1934. Today the population slightly exceeds half a million, and Catholics number 103,530, catechumens 15,991, Protestants 27,047, Muslims 27,121, and pagans 327,782. Protestant competition is very keen, especially in the educational sector, but the demand for Catholic schools, encouraged by pagan and Muslim leaders, is so great that it cannot be met; the central school for the training of teachers and civil servants is very well attended; and the movement of conversions is encouraging even in the most remote regions. Today there are 24 indigenous priests and 68 foreign priests, 19 brothers, 70 sisters, and 543 catechists. There are almost 17 parishes, 111 secondary stations, 23 elementary schools with 5,556 pupils, 1 middle school with 174 pupils, 1 vocational school with 18 pupils, and 3 higher schools of various grades with 245 pupils. In 246 rural schools, 17,778 pupils are enrolled. There are 3 hospitals with 120 beds and numerous other charitable works. The mission also publishes two periodicals, which exceed 3,050 copies.