PM urges churches to fight drug abuse as new Anglican archbishop takes office

Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has urged religious institutions to strengthen families, fight drug abuse and promote national unity as Manasseh Gahima was installed as the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR).

Nsengiyumva made the call on Sunday, October 25, during Gahima’s installation ceremony at Camp Kigali, where he represented President Paul Kagame.

The Prime Minister said churches should work closely with the government to address social challenges, strengthen family welfare and support national development.

“We therefore call on religious institutions to play an active role in the fight against challenges such as alcoholism, drug abuse, the distribution and consumption of substandard alcoholic drinks known as ‘ibyuma’, and other harmful behaviours,” he said.

He added that such problems contribute to family breakdown, weaken household economies and can lead to crime and conflict.

Nsengiyumva also urged churches to strengthen marriage preparation programmes and promote stable families founded on Rwandan values. He called on religious leaders to challenge teachings that discourage people from working and improving their lives, while encouraging unity among their followers and across religious communities.

The Prime Minister further called on Rwandans to embrace productivity, savings and government programmes aimed at improving living standards. He urged families to send children to school, enrol in community-based health insurance, maintain hygiene and improve children's nutrition to reduce stunting.

He said achieving Vision 2050, Rwanda’s long-term development agenda, requires cooperation between the government, private sector, civil society, religious institutions and citizens.

Nsengiyumva commended the Anglican Church for its contribution to national development, particularly through education, healthcare, psychosocial support and other services.

He congratulated Gahima on his appointment and commended outgoing Archbishop Laurent Mbanda for his eight years of service, assuring the new church leader of the government's continued cooperation.

Gahima pledges unity and financial sustainability

In his address, Gahima pledged to strengthen unity within the Church, improve financial sustainability and expand its contribution to addressing challenges facing Rwandans.

“My leadership will be characterised by reverence for God, hard work, transparency, accountability, consultation, attentive listening and collective decision-making,” he said.

The new archbishop identified five priorities for his tenure: restoring fellowship among Christians to encourage spiritual revival, strengthening unity, building the capacity of church workers, improving financial sustainability and accountability, and transforming the lives of young people and the wider population.

He said he would lead through consultation and collective responsibility, while working with bishops, pastors, church workers and Christians to address challenges facing the institution.

Gahima also pledged to maintain cooperation between the Anglican Church, other religious institutions and the government, saying they share responsibility for building a peaceful and prosperous country.

“We will also work to maintain good relations and cooperation between the Anglican Church of Rwanda, other churches, the Catholic Church and the government, because we all share the responsibility of building our country,” he said.

He said he would convene a consultative meeting to establish a shared vision for the Church while building on the progress made under his predecessor.

Gahima praised Mbanda for strengthening the institution during his tenure, saying he had left a strong foundation for the new leadership.

“You leave us with a strong foundation upon which to build,” he said, thanking Mbanda and his wife for their dedication and contribution to the Church.

The new archbishop also expressed gratitude to the country's leadership for creating opportunities for Rwandans to contribute to national development regardless of their backgrounds.

“Given our history, we would not have imagined that we would one day have a country in which we could live, enjoy our lives and contribute to its development,” he said.

He pledged that the Church would continue working with the government and other partners to improve citizens' welfare.

Formal handover

Gahima’s installation followed his election on September 11. He succeeds Mbanda, who had led the Anglican Church of Rwanda since 2018.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nsengiyumva, other government officials and Anglican bishops from different countries.

The proceedings began with Gahima knocking to request entry, introducing himself and being welcomed into the church. The church’s chancellor then formally approved his election.

Mbanda subsequently handed over leadership through a series of religious rites, including the transfer of pastoral staffs, Gahima’s oath of office and his seating in the bishop’s chair.

Gahima pledged to serve the Church faithfully and with humility before signing the document confirming his commitment. Following his installation, pastors welcomed him in his new role, and he received the Church’s insignia.

Aged 56, Gahima previously served as Bishop of Gahini Diocese and president of the Council of Protestant Churches of Rwanda. He becomes the fifth bishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, according to the installation proceedings.

During his eight years leading Gahini Diocese, he said, the diocese constructed 18 churches and launched commercial agriculture and an irrigation project to strengthen its financial sustainability.

He has pledged to build on the work of his predecessor while encouraging Christians to contribute to the Church’s programmes and activities.