The Apostolic Vicariate of Tanganyika was a Catholic apostolic vicariate (missionary pre-diocesan jurisdiction) of the White Fathers missionary order at first centered on the mission of Karema in what is now Tanzania, that included parts of what are now Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Malawi.
As the number of missions, schools and converts grew, different regions became distinct vicariates covering portions of the original territory.
At first the main activity was to care for Arab orphans in Algeria, but conversion of the people of Central Africa was an objective from the start.
Ten missionaries left Algiers in 1878 to establish posts at Lakes Victoria Nyanza and Tanganyika.
[2] On the west shore of Lake Tanganyika the White Fathers founded the stations of Kibanga on 11 June 1883, Mkapakwe on 12 September 1884, Mpala on 8 July 1885 and Baudouinville on 8 May 1893.
[7] The local potentate, Rumaliza, tolerated the foundation of the missions at Mulwewa and Kibanga, but prevented establishment of a station at Ujiji, at the extreme northeast of the lake.
[2] On 11 January 1887 the Apostolic Vicariate of Upper Congo was created, containing the missions to the west of Lake Tanganyika.
[14] Bridoux left Marseille on 17 July 1888 destined for Zanzibar accompanied by six missionaries, including Antonin Guillermain.
He found a dispute between Father François Coulbois, who had become head of the mission when Charbonnier died, and Léopold Louis Joubert, who was in charge of defense and civil affairs.
Joubert moved to St Louis de Murumbi, some distance away, to avoid identification of his soldiers with the mission.
[11] In January 1889 the Mpala mission was cut off from the outside world by the Abushiri Revolt against the Germans in Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam.
[4] Around the end of May 1890 a group of Arabs prepared to cross the Lukuga River about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the north of Mpala.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Upper Congo became independent from Tanganyika in 1892, led by Bishop Victor Roelens.