Rt Rev. Louis Pasteur Kabayiza, the 3rd Bishop of Shyogwe Diocese
On the 23rd March 2025, a historic milestone was marked in the Shyogwe Diocese of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, one of the five Dioceses members of RDIS, as Rev. Louis Pasteur Kabayiza was consecrated and enthroned as the third bishop of the diocese succeeding Rt. Rev. Dr. Jered Kalimba, who retires after an esteemed tenure of more than 27 years of dedicated service. The ceremony, officiated on the 23rd March 2025 at Shyogwe Diocese Cathedral by the Most Rev. Dr Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda. It was graced by a large gathering of clergy, dignitaries, and faithful congregants, with Rwanda’s Minister of Local Government, Hon. Patrice Mugenzi, serving as the guest of honor.
The "Revitalizing Lake Kivu Basin in Nyamasheke and Rusizi through Landscape Restoration" project has made impressive strides toward its restoration goals over the past six months. Implemented by Rural Development Inter-diocesan Service (RDIS), the project aims to restore degraded ecosystems in the Rusizi River Basin through tree planting and sustainable land management practices. With an ambitious goal of planting 377,000 trees by 2025 and restoring 860 hectares by 2029, the project is on track to achieve these targets.
Progress and Achievements
In the year 2025, the project has successfully produced and planted 211,293 trees, representing over 56% of the 2024 planting target. These trees are strategically planted across six restoration sites in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts, which include Bweyeye, Kamembe, and Nzahaha in Rusizi and Gihombo, Kanjongo, and Kirimbi in Nyamasheke. The species planted include Ficus thonningii, Grevillea Robusta, Alnus acuminata, Persea Americana (avocado), Maesopsis emin and Bambusa balcooa, among others.
On the 1st December 2024, Cyangugu Diocese of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR) and one of RDIS founding member got a new Bishop; the Right Reverend Bishop Nathan Muhutu succeeding the Right Reverend Bishop Francis Karemera who reached a retirement age on the same date. Bishop Nathan Muhutu was consecrated and enthroned as a seventh Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese by the Most Reverend Dr Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda who also sieges as a Bishop of the Metropolitan Diocese of Gasabo and the Chairperson of the GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference). He was elected as a Bishop Elect by the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Rwanda on the 24th May 2024 among two candidates provided by the Synod of Cyangugu Diocese of the 04th May 2024. According to his inaugural speech, he emphasized among others to strengthen the welfare of family, partnership with the government in education in children and youth, stewardship and accountability. The guest of honour, Dr. Patrice Mugenzi, the Minister of Local Government praised the Church's vital role in the holistic transformation of the community and assured the church of continued government support and partnership.
As an organization committed to continue improving the professionalism, quality standards and impact in the community, RDIS held an Annual Workshop of RDIS Management and Technical Staff, from 07-09th October 2024.
During the workshop, the following items were discussed, and, resolutions taken:
1.Values of RDIS, Professionalism and Results Oriented Approach
2.Health at workplace, prevention of risks by both, Employer and Employees
3.Information about basic first aid at workplace
4.Rwanda labor law (Responsibilities of the Employer and Employee. Rights and Obligations)
5.RDIS projects (Carbon Emission Reduction for Self-Sustainable Environmental Care; Improved Cook Stoves -Rusizi; Climate Smart Agriculture to mitigate the impact of climate change and increase the production; Water Heaters and Solar Home Systems; Health insurance; housebuilding and Five Talents Saving and Credit Cooperative).
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