Jude Thadaeus Ruwa'ichi, OFMCap (born 30 January 1954) is a Tanzanian prelate of the Catholic Church and has served as the Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam since 15 August 2019. A member of the Capuchin Order, he has been a bishop since 1998.

Biography

Jude Thaddeus Ruwa'ichi was born on 30 January 1954 in Mulo-Kilema, within the Diocese of Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. He joined the Capuchins and was ordained a priest on 25 November 1981. Within the order, he served as a member of the General Definitorium, its governing body.

On 9 February 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Mbulu. He received his episcopal consecration on 16 May 1999, with Archbishop Polycarp Pengo as the principal consecrator. On 15 January 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Dodoma.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Mwanza on 10 November 2010. In 2014, he participated in the launch of a program focused on preventing and treating HIV, in conjunction with combating discrimination against people living with HIV. The initiative involved partnerships with government agencies and was funded by NGOs. Between 2013 and 2015, he also served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Shinyanga.

On 21 June 2018, Pope Francis appointed Ruwa'ichi as the Archbishop Coadjutor of Dar-es-Salaam. He succeeded Cardinal Polycarp Pengo as Archbishop upon the latter's retirement on 15 August 2019.

In March 2019, Archbishop Ruwa'ichi announced a partnership with private insurers to extend life insurance alongside existing health insurance schemes. He urged these insurers to introduce education insurance plans, enabling families to finance education with less reliance on sponsors and patrons.

From 2006 to 2012, he served as President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference. An advocate of the Small Christian Communities movement, Archbishop Ruwa'ichi has championed grassroots evangelization and community building within the Church.