The Rev. Prof. Dr. Kandolo Kasolwa, former President of the Methodist University of Kamina [Université Méthodiste au Kamina] in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), former Secretary of the Africa Association of Methodist Institutions of Higher Education (AAMIHE), and Legal Representant and Theological Adviser of the United Methodist Church in North Katanga, DRC and Tanzania, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, after a short illness. He was 72.
(Prof. Dr. Kandolo Kasolwa. Photo: Kimberly Lord)
Kandolo Kasolwa was a well-known Methodist leader and educator in the DRC and Africa. He studied in his native DRC, received his initial degree in Theology from Mulungwishi, then continuing his studies in Library Sciences at the Université de Montreal in Canada, and completing his PhD in Theology at the same university. He served as teacher at Methodist primary schools in the DRC, the Nkenda Bantu Methodist Secondary School, and as School Director. He then became the librarian at the Université Méthodiste au Katanga, in Mulungwishi, DRC, between 1984 and 2001, and was a faculty member at that institution. He eventually became the General Director of the Institute of Higher Learning [Institute Supérieur Pédagogique] and President of the Université Méthodiste de Kamina, DRC. As an intellectual, he was concerned with the need for conciliation among conflicting political and religious groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, publishing articles on this theme, including a book: For an Intercultural Reconciliation Model in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Christian Appropriation of traditional practices of reconciliation [Pour un modèle inculturé de réconciliation en RD Congo: Une appropriation chrétienne des pratiques traditionelles de réconciliation] (Paris, L’Harmattan, 2015).
Professor Kandolo Kasolwa participated in various United Methodist educational projects in the DRC, Africa. and internationally. He was a member of the Africa Association of United Methodist Theological Institutions (AAUMTI), served as Secretary of the Africa Association of Methodist Institutions of Higher Education (AAMIHE), was a member of the Commission of the Central Conference Theological Education Fund (CCTEF), participated in various events and conferences of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) and was active in projects promoted by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). He was an elected delegate to various United Methodist conferences, including Annual Conference, Central Conference, and The General Conference of the United Methodist Church, always involved in committees on both theological education and higher education.
The Rev. Prof. Dr. Ilunga Kandolo Kasolwa was a great Methodist educator and leader in Africa. As his family, friends, colleagues, and students mourn his passing, we also have an opportunity to be thankful for his life and legacy. IAMSCU expresses the deepest condolences to his family and community.