GITEGA, April 2nd (ABP) –The United Methodist Church in Burundi ordained, on Saturday 29 March 2025, the new bishop of the United Methodist Church in Burundi and Rwanda, Mgr Emmanuel Sinzohagera, currently Burundi Senate President, in Gitega, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.The country’s highest authorities were present at those ceremonies, including the President of the Republic and his wife, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Gélase Daniel Ndabirabe, the Vice-President of the Republic, Mr Prosper Bazombanza, the Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca, the Ombudsman, Mrs Aimée Laurentine Kanyana, Mrs Denise Nkurunziza, as well as a delegation from abroad.
Marking that significant occasion, President Evariste Ndayishimiye extended his congratulations to the United Methodist Church of Burundi and its new Bishop. He expressed confidence in the Church’s future growth under his leadership and promised his full support, emphasizing his position as the father of all Burundians.
In view of the difficult times that that church has been through, the President of the Republic called on the faithful to safeguard their unity by avoiding divisions, fighting for equitable justice, resolving disputes with gentleness and wisdom, and working assiduously to make their contribution to the implementation of vision 2040-2060. He took the opportunity to congratulate them on the income-generating activities they are carrying out, including the cultivation of sunflowers in the Kumoso region.
In his speech of thanks, the new Bishop Sinzohagera promised that he would work with other churches to build a prosperous Burundi and contribute to the implementation of Vision 2040-2060. He then pledged to be an instrument of reconciliation and healing of souls within his church, to remain faithful to the Word of God, to preach the Word of God everywhere and to administer the sacraments as a servant of the Church and of God.
He also pointed out that the United Methodist Church of Burundi is currently cultivating sunflowers in Kumuso and would like to build a sunflower oil production plant there, with a view to contributing to the implementation of the national vision 2040-2060.
Bishop Daniel Wandabola, Bishop of the East African region, who presided over the ordination ceremonies, congratulated the new Bishop of Burundi and Rwanda, Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera, and encouraged him to work for the spiritual and material development of the Church.
Mgr Emmanuel Sinzohagera made it known that he remains a Mugumyabanga of the CNDD-FDD party and that he will not stop taking part in its activities and wearing his uniform.