In a landmark celebration of faith, unity, and leadership, over 4,000 people gathered at Ingoma Stadium in Burundi’s political capital to mark the establishment of The United Methodist Church’s new Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area. This historic event also witnessed the installation of its inaugural bishop, Emmanuel Sinzohagera, on March 29, 2025.
The occasion drew an esteemed audience, including Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, senior government officials, religious leaders, and community members. The festivities came alive with traditional music, dance performances, and uplifting church choirs, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
Strengthening the Church and the Nation
President Ndayishimiye congratulated church delegates on this significant achievement, emphasizing the importance of unity in fostering national development. He called upon the church to complement its spiritual mission with social upliftment, stressing that communities facing poverty and hardship must be supported through tangible development projects alongside spiritual care.
Bishop Sinzohagera, who was elected during the Africa Central Conference earlier in March, laid out a dynamic vision for the newly established episcopal area — one committed to revitalizing church life, strengthening evangelism, and fostering economic self-sufficiency. Among the initiatives already underway are agricultural projects cultivating sunflowers, mushrooms, and livestock, aligned with the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, which seeks to make use of church-owned lands for sustainable food production and income generation.
A Visionary Leader Bridging Church and State
Bishop Sinzohagera, who currently serves as Speaker of Burundi’s Senate until August, has played a pivotal role in strengthening ties between the church and government institutions. Notable agreements with the Ministries of Education and Health have ensured that church-led social services receive necessary state support, a partnership he aims to deepen even after his tenure in public office.
Plans are also in place to develop church-owned properties for rental income and implement a strategic plan prioritizing evangelism, discipleship, ecumenical collaboration, and theological education. The bishop’s leadership reflects a holistic approach, integrating spiritual, social, and economic development for lasting community impact.
A Movement for Inclusion and Growth
The formation of the new episcopal area comes as a resurgence of United Methodism in East Africa, after years of internal divisions. Leaders from across the region acknowledged this milestone, with Bishop Mande Muyombo, president of the Africa Colleges of Bishops, praising it as a rebirth of the church’s mission in East Africa.
Women’s leadership has also found renewed hope in this new chapter. Rev. Valentine Cimpaye, Burundi’s only female district superintendent, expressed optimism that more women would be appointed to leadership positions. Women’s groups in Burundi and neighboring Rwanda are now seeking closer collaboration, united by cultural ties and shared ambitions for ministry growth.
Laying Foundations for East Africa’s Future
As the newly formed East Africa Central Conference—spanning Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda—gathers momentum, church leaders see this as a defining moment. Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who presided over the conference’s first session in Gitega, called it a milestone for both faith and regional unity.
“This is a call to advance a higher mission,” Bishop Wandabula declared. “It’s about extending God’s love and grace to every corner of East Africa, building a church that uplifts communities through faith and development.”
This transformative moment signals the beginning of a promising chapter for The United Methodist Church in East Africa, with faith leaders and congregations united in purpose to bring about spiritual renewal, social progress, and a brighter future for generations to come.
