Aloyce Mwakisoma, a renowned plant expert from Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains, was killed in a tragic accident on October 6 when he was struck by a bus near Sanje village. Mwakisoma, 45, was celebrated for his deep understanding of the region's biodiversity, having grown up in the Kilombero Valley and gained knowledge from his father, a former hunter turned research assistant. His contributions included identifying new species, such as the giant rainforest tree Tessmannia princeps, and he was instrumental in forest restoration projects. Mwakisoma's expertise in indigenous plant names and their medicinal uses was invaluable to researchers and conservationists. His death is mourned by colleagues and the conservation community, emphasizing the critical role of local knowledge in preserving biodiversity.