Rayon Sport’s Jean Fidèle Uwayezu Builds Chapel: A Sanctuary for the Community

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, His Grace Bishop Jean Bosco Ntagungira of the Butare Catholic Diocese officially blessed a newly constructed chapel in Shari, Ruyenzi Parish, built by the family of Jean Fidèle Uwayezu.

Located in Ntyazo Sector, Nyanza District, near Muyira, this chapel serves as a heartfelt contribution aimed at providing local Christians a place of worship, especially during a time when their main parish and sub-parish churches were closed.

Named “BIKIRAMARIYA UTABARA ABAKRISTU,” or “Mary Help of Christians”– the chapel was first constructed in 2018 with a seating capacity of 120. In response to a growing number of worshippers, it has since been expanded to accommodate over 400 congregants and is authorized to host sacraments.

Local Christians have expressed deep gratitude to Uwayezu Jean Fidèle, referring to the chapel as a life-changing gift. One worshipper remarked, “This chapel has been a blessing. I used to walk nearly three hours just to attend Mass. Now I can worship close to home; it’s an answered prayer.” Another added, “We struggled to find places to pray. Thanks to this chapel, we now have a peaceful and accessible space to get closer to God.”

Jean Fidèle Uwayezu, a former president of the Rayon Sports football club, shared his motivation during an interview with Pacis TV: “God has given us so much, freely. Building this chapel is my family’s way of showing love and gratitude. This hill of Shari was once our family’s place of prayer before 1994, and we wanted that legacy of faith to live on.”

His father, George Gakire, praised his son’s selflessness, noting that instead of investing in profit-driven ventures, he chose to focus on the spiritual wellbeing of the community.

Bishop Ntagungira encouraged Christians to emulate the Uwayezu family’s example, stating, “Such acts of generosity strengthen our faith and help the Church reach more people in meaningful ways.”

The Shari Chapel now stands as a beacon of hope, love, and faith, symbolizing how personal sacrifice can lead to communal transformation.