The Diocese is located in Tanzania's Mara Region, in the northwest corner of the country along the southern shores of Lake Victoria on the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
The Mara Region includes five districts which are inhabited by a population of 1.8 Million people about the size of Philadelphia. This is equivalent to 3.6% of the whole population of Tanzania which now exceeds more than 50 million people.
The pastoral arm of the diocese includes lay apostolates, liturgy committees, catechetical departments, spiritual centers, ecumenism, peace and justice activities, clergy training and vocations formation.
The Diocese has a strong component of human development which is obvious through the establishment of education and health institutions along with social service outreach for the vulnerable and those with disabilities.
There are 30 educational institutions which include the following: 18 Pre & Primary schools, 6 Secondary schools, 1 Junior Seminary, 4 Vocational centers and 1 Catechetical Training Center.
The health institutions under the leadership and management of the Diocese of Musoma include 5 Dispensaries, 7 Health Centers and 1 Hospital.
The social service outreach includes a home for children with disabilities (St. Justin’s and the training center for these children Rose Miriam Dagg Center), a shelter for children running from all forms of Gender Based Violence and children living on the streets (Jipe Moyo Center), and 3 charity homes for the most vulnerable and abandoned of the society (Kigera Etuma).
The Diocese is inhabited by the following major ethnic groups: the Jita, Kwaya, Zanaki, Waluri, Isenye, Nata, Ikoma, Kurya, Luo, Wasimbiti, Wakabwa, Wakiroba and Ngoreme.
All of these groups want to be recognized with their own identity which is usually in contrast or in comparison with one another. It is this contrast that is accelerating the animosity and hence insecurity around the cattle rustling tradition.
Polygamy is still very prevalent and is the determinant of social status and means of wealth distribution due to benefits of a large family size.
The First Zone is the midlands which is a transition between the Lake shore and highlands covering 10,700 sq.km.
Crops are dominated by grain such as sorghum, maize and finger millet. Most of the cultivation is done by ox plows. The major challange farmers face is limited availability of water for human consumption and livestock.
The Second Zone is the highlands lying at an altitude of 1500 to 1800 metres above sea level. This covers an area of 508 sq.km.
This area has the greatest agricultural potential because of its plentiful rainfall, fertile soil and good market potential to sell excess agricultural products. Farmers in this area are cash crop focused which includes bananas, potatoes, and coffee. These crops are progressing to replace traditional crops such as finger millet and sorghum.
The problem facing the farmers in the Diocese of Musoma is the decreasing farm size. It is a financial burden to afford any extensive area of land to optomize the cost of crop farming or own or rent enough land for growing grass for livestock to graze.
Harmful African tribal customs and traditions prevail within the Diocese which include Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages which the Catholic Church is working to eliminate for the betterment of women and thier familes alike.
