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.
Prior to Bishop Nathan Muhutu, Cyangugu Diocese was led by Rt. Rev. Nduhura Daniel (19/07/1992 - 1994), Rt. Rev. Kenneth Barham (01/06/1995 - 25/02/2001), Rt. Rev. Rwubusisi Geoffrey (25/02/2001 - 19/02/2012), Rt. Rev. Nathan Rusengo Amooti (19/02/2012 - 14/07/2019), and Rt. Rev. Karemera Francis (15/09/2019 - 30/11/2024). Bishop Nathan Muhutu born on the 20th January 1970 in the District of Mpigi in Uganda from a Christian family, was married to Esperance Mukakamari and they are blessed with nine children (two sons and seven daughters) and two grandchildren. Fully committed his life to Christ in April 1999, he was ordained Deacon and Priest in the Diocese of Kibungo respectively in 2009 and 2010. He holds a Master of Divinity (MDIV) from Uganda Christian University (UCU), a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), a Diploma in Theology from Kigali Anglican Theological College (KATC) currently East African Christian College (EACC), all got after completing his secondary school in Kayonza Modern Secondary School. In EAR Kibungo Diocese he served as a Pastor of Nyagatovu Parish in the same time as a Coordinator of schools of the Diocese from 2009 to May 2015, from August 2017 to July 2020 as Archdeacon of Kigina Archdeaconry in the same time as a Pastor of Kigina Parish. In the Head Office of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, he served as a Provincial Executive Secretary from August 2020 to January 2023 in the same time as an Archdeacon of Kabuga and Kanombe in EAR Kigali Diocese. Thereafter, he served as Provincial Evangelism and Discipleship Coordinator in EAR until when he was elected as a seventh Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese.
Cyangugu Diocese is one of twelve Dioceses of Anglican Church of Rwanda, which is located in the south western part of Rwanda, where it borders with Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC) in the South West, the Republic of Burundi in the South, Nyungwe National Forest in the East, Lake Kivu in the North West. It was started on 19th July 1992 from the former Diocese of Butare which was divided into four Dioceses: Butare (mother diocese), Shyogwe (started on 09th August 1992), Kigeme (started on 12th July 1992), Cyangugu Diocese; later Kigeme Diocese split intp two to start Nyaruguru Diocese on the 28th August 2022 to make five dioceses, members and owners of RDIS. Cyangugu Diocese which started as a missionary Diocese with three parishes (Bweyeye, Banda and Nyarusange) administered by two Pastors had slightly above 800 Church members in the time of its inception, has currently 20,694 church members (according to 2022 statistics). It has 7 archdeaconries, 35 parishes: 19 in Rusizi and 16 in Nyamasheke District. It is a Religious based organization with Legal Personality No 85/05 in compliance with Law no 72/2018 of 31/08/2018 governing Faith Based Organisation with Diocesan head office located in Batero Village, Gihundwe Cell, Kamembe Sector, Rusizi District. Cyangugu Diocese serves the remote communities beyond and around Nyungwe rain forest, many of whom have never been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nor are they linked with a church family. Its actives are channeled through Evangelism and Church Planting, Contextual and Transformational Discipleship, Diaconia and Social Response, and Ministry Coordination.
All the best wishes for Bishop Nathan Muhutu, the 7th Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese.
