Sumbawanga is a city located in western Tanzania. It serves as the capital of the Rukwa Region and functions as the municipal seat of the Sumbawanga Urban District, which had a population of approximately 303,986 according to the 2022 census.
The town is situated within the territory of the Wafipa Fipa tribe. While Kiswahili is the most widely used language in Tanzania, many residents also speak Kifipa. The name Sumbawanga translates literally as "throw away your witchcraft," a phrase believed to be a warning from local spiritual healers against bringing in superstitions from other areas.
Historically, Sumbawanga was a location for many witch doctors until approximately the 1980s; however, some healers continue to practice in the town and surrounding plateau villages. The city hosts significant medical facilities, including the government-funded Rukwa General Hospital, which is the largest in the region, and the Dr. Atiman Hospital, which is administered by the Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga.