The Catholic Church is mourning the death of four nuns from the Congregation of the Carmelite Missionaries of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, including their Superior General, Sister Nelina Semeoni. They were killed in a road accident in Mwanza Region on Monday night.
The crash happened at 7:50 p.m. on September 15, 2025, at Bukumbi Village in Misungwi District along the Usagara to Kigongo Ferry road. The nuns were traveling in a Toyota Land Cruiser from their Bukumbi community to Mwanza Airport. They were on their way to Dar es Salaam after attending a perpetual vows ceremony for three sisters in Kahama two days earlier. Their vehicle collided head-on with a lorry belonging to Nyanza Road Works Company.
Mwanza Regional Police Commander, DCP Wilbrod Mtafungwa, confirmed that four people died at the scene while the Land Cruiser driver died shortly after reaching Bukumbi Hospital. He said early investigations show that overspeeding and careless overtaking caused the crash.
Those who died were Sister Nelina Semeoni, aged 60, who was the Superior General of the congregation and a highly respected figure in the Carmelite Missionary order. Others included Sister Lilian Kapongo, aged 55, who served as Assistant Superior General, Sister Damaris Matheka, aged 51, a Kenyan national and headmistress of Bukumbi Girls Secondary School, and Sister Stellamaris Kamene Muthin, aged 48, from the Bukumbi community. The driver, Mr. Boniphace Msonola, aged 53, also lost his life. The only survivor, Sister Pauline Mipata, aged 20, is being treated at Bugando Zonal Referral Hospital and is in critical but stable condition.
The Catholic community across East Africa has been deeply shaken by the loss. Sister Nelina Semeoni was known for her leadership and missionary work which inspired many young women to join religious life. The nuns had just come from a joyful religious event when tragedy struck.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Bugando Referral Hospital for post-mortem examinations. The lorry driver, Mr. Venance Mashaka, is in police custody to assist with investigations. Police have reminded motorists that overspeeding and reckless overtaking are among the leading causes of deadly accidents and urged drivers to be cautious.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week by the Carmelite Missionary congregation and the Catholic Diocese of Mwanza.
