The ceremony installing Bishop Dr Gahima as the fifth Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Gasabo took place in Kigali on October 25, 2026.
It was attended by several government officials, including Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva, Minister of Local Government Dominique Habimana, Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana, and Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Consolée Uwimana.
Also present were leaders of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, members of the congregation and guests from abroad.
Bishop Dr Gahima was elected to lead EAR by the church’s Provincial Assembly on September 11, 2026.
He succeeds Archbishop Dr Laurent Mbanda, who served in the position for eight years. Dr Mbanda’s term was due to end in 2023, but it was extended by three years to allow him to complete ongoing church projects.
In his address at the installation ceremony, Bishop Dr Gahima thanked the church leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the institution. He also expressed gratitude to the country for creating an environment in which different institutions can fulfil their responsibilities.
He further thanked his family for supporting him throughout his journey.
Bishop Dr Gahima said he wants to build a Christ-centred church in its spiritual life, one that promotes unity, upholds good governance and becomes financially and materially self-sufficient.
“I want to build a church that transforms lives and responds to the challenges facing Rwandans. This is the kind of church I want to lead, with God’s help and the support of others. If they stand with me at every step, we will achieve this,” he said.
He said his leadership would be guided by respect for God, transparency, commitment, accountability, consultation and listening to colleagues to ensure decisions are made collectively.
He pledged to strengthen the management of church resources and establish a clear vision to accelerate the church’s development.
Other priorities include promoting unity, upholding the values of faith, strengthening cooperation with other churches and maintaining good relations with government institutions.
Munara Jean Claude, speaking on behalf of Anglican Church of Rwanda members, welcomed the vision and leadership approach outlined by Bishop Dr Gahima.
He said the congregation was ready to support him and work together to implement his plans, assuring him that they would not let him down.
Archbishop Dr Laurent Mbanda Bids Farewell
Archbishop Dr Laurent Mbanda, who led the Anglican Church of Rwanda for eight years, was among the church’s leaders associated with major reforms, including the decision to break away from the Church of England, from which the Rwandan church originated.
Although leading EAR brought him greater recognition in Rwanda and internationally, Dr Mbanda said becoming Archbishop had not been part of his original plans. Before being elected, he had been preparing to move to the United States with his family.
He explained that he had intended to return to his previous role at Compassion International, but his plans changed after fellow bishops asked him to consider taking on the leadership of EAR.
“The journey to becoming Archbishop was not something I had planned. At the end of 2017, my family and I were preparing to return to our previous responsibilities at Compassion International. We were ready to move to the United States, but God had another plan,” he said.
“We had made all the necessary preparations, and everything was in place. However, my fellow bishops asked me to consider becoming Archbishop, and in 2018, I was elected. I thank them, and I thank God.”
Dr Mbanda said he was glad he had changed the plans he had made with his family and accepted the responsibility of leading the Anglican Church of Rwanda, as the decision enabled him to contribute to various initiatives that advanced the church.
He emphasized that serving God should not be viewed as a way of seeking prestigious positions, but rather as a commitment to sacrifice for others and serve their needs.
One of the major developments during his leadership was EAR’s decision in February 2023 to break away from the Church of England.
The decision followed the Church of England’s announcement that it would allow priests to bless same-sex couples.
The move sparked disagreements among some churches within the global Anglican Communion, prompting the Anglican Church of Rwanda to distance itself from the leadership of the Church of England.
