Josaphat Jackson Bududu


Josaphat Jackson Bududu is a Tanzanian Catholic prelate who was appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora, Tanzania on 26 February 2025. Before that, from 9 July 2009 until 26 February 2025, he was a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora. He was contemporaneously appointed as Titular Bishop of Vegesela in Numidia, on 26 February 2025. His consecration and installation at Tabora took place on 25 May 2025.

Background and education

He was born on 26 March 1977 in Kaliua, in the Archdiocese of Tabora, Tabora Region, Tanzania. He studied philosophy at Kibosho Major Seminary in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Moshi. He then studied Theology at Kipalapala Major Seminary in Tabora Archdiocese. He holds a Doctorate in Spirituality, awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Spirituality and St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore, India.

Priesthood

On 25 January 2009, he was ordained a deacon of the archdiocese of Tabora. Six months later, on 9 July 2009, he was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Tabora. On both occasions he was ordained by Archbishop Paul Runangaza Ruzoka, Archbishop of Tabora.
He served in many roles during his priesthood including:

As bishop

Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora, on 26 February 2025. He was appointed to work with and to assist Cardinal Protase Rugambwa, the Local Ordinary of the archdiocese. Monsignor Josaphat Jackson Bududu was contemporaneously appointed Titular Bishop of Vegesela in Numidia. The consecration as bishop and installation of Monsignor Josaphat Jackson Bududu at Tabora occurred on 25 May 2025. The Principal Consecrator was Cardinal Protase Rugambwa, Archbishop of Tabora assisted by Paul Runangaza Ruzoka, Archbishop Emeritus of Tabora and Eusebius Alfred Nzigilwa, Bishop of Mpanda. At the time of his consecration, aged 48 years, he was the youngest Catholic bishop in the Tanzanian Conference of Catholic Bishops.