The Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR) has installed and enthroned its new head, Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima.
Dr. Gahima was confirmed by the supreme council of Anglican Church leaders in Rwanda—meeting at the church’s headquarters in Kigali on September 11, 2026—succeeding the retired Archbishop Dr. Laurent Mbanda.
The installation and enthronement ceremony for Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima was attended by the Prime Minister of Rwanda, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, along with various other national officials, as well as members of the Anglican Church from Rwanda and across the globe.
Through an installation ceremony held in Kigali on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima became the fifth head of the Anglican Church in Rwanda and the third bishop of the Diocese of Gasabo. Bishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima previously served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Gahini, before being elected as the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda last month (September).
In March 2026, Dr. Gahima was elected to lead the Protestant Council of Rwanda (CPR). At that time, his election to this position brought his name into the spotlight as a potential successor to Dr. Laurent Mbanda in the leadership of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.
The ceremony for the installation and enthronement of Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima began with a symbolic knocking at the entrance to request entry. This was followed by the outgoing leader, Dr. Laurent Mbanda, reading a formal statement confirming the conclusion of his tenure as the head of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and as the Bishop of the Diocese of Gasabo.
Subsequently, the official document confirming the election of Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima as the head of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and Bishop of the Diocese of Gasabo was read by the Anglican Church of Rwanda’s legal counsel, Mr. Innocent Kayiranga Munyankindi.
After the outgoing leader—accompanied by other bishops of the Anglican Church of Rwanda—presented the newly elected leader to the congregation, the new head of the Church took solemn vows before God and the Church.
In his address to those attending the ceremony, Dr. Mbanda—who has served as a bishop for 16 years, including 8 years as the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda—expressed his heart full of gratitude, thanking God for sustaining him throughout that entire period.
He stated, “It is not that things were always easy, nor that we found solutions to every problem, or that every decision was welcomed by everyone. Rather, it is because, amidst all of this, we experienced God’s sufficient grace; He never abandoned us, and He helped us to persevere in this ministry with faith and reverence. God has done wonderful things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
He noted that during the more than eight years he has spent leading the Anglican Church of Rwanda, God has enabled the Church to achieve various milestones, including evangelism, the training of leaders, the care of children in nursery schools and daycare centers, sound financial management, and the pursuit of self-reliance.
Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima—who has been entrusted with the pastoral staff to lead the Anglican Church of Rwanda and the Diocese of Gasabo—expressed his gratitude to the national leadership for providing Rwandans with the opportunity to contribute to nation-building, regardless of their personal history or background.
He stated, “This enables every Rwandan to play a role in the governance and development of their country. I say this with a humble and grateful heart, because our history would not have allowed for this—especially for those of us who never imagined we would ever have a country to call home, to live in, to enjoy, and to serve. God has worked through the leadership of our nation, allowing someone like me to reach a point where I am entrusted with such responsibilities in my own country. May God be glorified.”
Munara, a Christian representative in the Diocese of Gasabo, stated that they are prepared to collaborate with their new leader.
He said, “We have warmly received the vision for the way forward that you presented in your address, and we fully support it. As Christians, we are ready to contribute our full part, to the best of our ability and with all our strength.”
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who represented the President of the Republic at the ceremony, reminded religious denominations and churches that they share a significant responsibility with the Government to transform the lives of Rwandans.
He stated, “Achieving this requires us to strengthen our existing partnership and ensure that the goals we have set are effectively implemented. Our collective aspiration is to foster strong and secure families, where members embody the positive values befitting a Rwandan, so that our nation may continue to progress.”
He also urged religious denominations and churches to refine and intensify their efforts in preparing individuals for marriage—in accordance with the laws of the country—and to continue collaborating with the Government to build capable and secure families.
Archbishop Dr. Manasseh Gahima was born in 1970 and grew up in Uganda after his family sought refuge there. He attended primary school in Kasonga, Uganda, and went on to pursue his secondary education at Kololo and St. Andrea Kahwa’s College.
He later obtained a degree in education and pursued higher studies in business at the University of Rwanda—known at the time as Umutara Polytechnic. He also holds master’s degrees in human resource management and theology, as well as a PhD in theological studies.
Before joining the leadership of the Anglican Church, Dr. Gahima worked in various capacities within the education sector and local government administration; notably, from 1995 to 1997, he served as the Deputy Headmaster of Lycée de Kigali, where he was responsible for students in the English-language stream.
Between 1997 and 2001, he served as the Bourgmestre of the former Karangazi Commune, and from 2004 to 2005, he served as the Bourgmestre of the former Gabiro Commune. Following administrative reforms in the country, Dr. Gahima moved to the leadership of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Gahini, where he served as the Deputy Head of the Diocese.
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