TANZANIA: Vice Chancellor of SAUT Dies at 77, a Great Loss to the Church
By Dalphina Rubyema
The Vice Chancellor of St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Mwanza, Professor Costa Ricky Mahalu, has passed away, in a death described as a major loss to the Church in Tanzania due to his significant contribution to the development of SAUT and the Church in general.
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Geita and Chairman of the SAUT University Council, Bishop Flavian Kassala, has expressed condolences to the family and the SAUT community following the professor’s death on March 9, 2026, at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam, at the age of 77.
During a Holy Mass held at SAUT in Mwanza to pray for the deceased, Bishop Kassala said in his homily that Prof. Mahalu made a tremendous contribution to the growth of SAUT, noting that the university had become an important part of his life. He ensured that development plans were put in place and properly supervised.
The bishop explained that, although Mahalu took over the institution at a time when it was facing serious financial challenges, he used his professional expertise to stabilize the university and ensure that staff received their salaries on time, an achievement that remains a source of pride.
“What he did was not a miracle. He dedicated himself fully and did not work alone but collaborated with the entire institutional community. This is the message he leaves us: that if we believe and recognize the love among us, we can accomplish the work that has God within it,” Bishop Kassala said.
He added that Prof. Mahalu’s contribution to the Church and the nation will never be forgotten because of his efforts in training many professionals who continue to play key roles in various sectors in the country.
Prof. Mahalu was also a distinguished diplomat who left a unique mark in the country’s history. He became the only accused person in Tanzania whose defense in a corruption case was supported in court by former President Benjamin William Mkapa, who personally testified on his behalf.
Who was Professor Costa Ricky Mahalu?
Professor Costa Ricky Mahalu was born on July 9, 1948 in Katunguru Village, Sengerema District in Geita Region (then part of Mwanza Region). After completing primary education, he joined Kibaha Secondary School for his Ordinary Level studies before proceeding to Mkwawa Secondary School for Advanced Level education.
In 1971, he joined the National Service of Tanzania (JKT) at Makutupora Camp in Dodoma for basic military training. Later he enrolled at the University of Dar es Salaam, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1974. During his lifetime, Prof. Mahalu once revealed that former Prime Minister Joseph Sinde Warioba was the person who inspired him to study law.
In 1975, he was employed at the University of Dar es Salaam as an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Law. From 1976 to 1978 he pursued a Master’s degree in Law while continuing to teach at the university.
In 1979 he went to Hamburg in West Germany, where he earned a PhD in Law in 1983. Upon returning to Tanzania, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. In 1990 he returned to Germany for teaching work but came back to Tanzania a year later and was appointed Professor of Law at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Contribution to Higher Education Reforms
Prof. Mahalu also made a significant contribution to higher education policy reforms in Tanzania. From 1992 to 1996 he served as Director of Higher Education in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, where he played an important role in advancing the country’s education sector.
While serving in that position, he advised the then Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Benjamin William Mkapa, to allow the establishment of private universities in Tanzania. He was also among the pioneers who proposed the idea of student loans for higher education, which later led to the creation of the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB).
In 1996, he was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later posted to Germany as Deputy Ambassador. In 1999, he was appointed Tanzania’s Ambassador to Italy, serving from 2000 to 2006.
In 2019, the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) appointed Prof. Costa Ricky Mahalu as Vice Chancellor of the St. Augustine University of Tanzania. His appointment officially took effect on March 1, 2019. Before this appointment, Prof. Mahalu had served as one of the university’s lecturers.
