Bishop Dr Manasseh Gahima Elected New Archbishop of Anglican Church in Rwanda
KIGALI, Rwanda — Bishop Dr Manasseh Gahima, who has been serving as the Bishop of the Diocese of Gahini, has been elected the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Rwanda, succeeding Dr Laurent Mbanda.
Dr Gahima was elected on Friday during the General Council of the Anglican Church in Rwanda, held at the Church’s headquarters in Kigali.
Before the election, Dr Gahima was among the leading candidates considered for the position. In the final round, he faced Bishop Assiel Musabyimana, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kigeme.
Nathan Rusengo Amooti, Bishop of the Diocese of Kigali, had also initially appeared on the list of potential candidates but later withdrew, leaving two candidates in the final contest.
His rise within Rwanda’s Protestant leadership
In March 2026, Dr Gahima was elected to lead the Council of Protestant Churches of Rwanda (CPR). His election to that position increased speculation around his potential to succeed Dr Laurent Mbanda as head of the Anglican Church in Rwanda.
Dr Gahima had been serving as the Bishop of the Diocese of Gahini and was the second bishop to lead the diocese.
Education and early career
Born in 1970, Dr Gahima grew up in Uganda after his family fled to the country.
He completed his primary education in Kasonga, Uganda, before pursuing secondary education at Kololo and St Andrea Kahwa’s College.
He later obtained a degree in education and pursued higher studies in business at the University of Rwanda, which was then known as Umutara Polytechnic.
Dr Gahima also holds postgraduate degrees in human resource management and theology, as well as a PhD in theology.
Before joining the leadership of the Anglican Church, he worked in various positions in education and local government administration.
Between 1995 and 1997, he served as Deputy Head of Lycée de Kigali, where he was responsible for students studying in English.
From 1997 to 2001, he served as Mayor of the former Karangazi Commune, while from 2004 to 2005, he served as Mayor of the former Gabiro Commune.
From local government to church leadership
Following reforms in Rwanda’s local government administration, Dr Gahima moved into church leadership within the Anglican Diocese of Gahini, where he served as Deputy Diocesan Leader.
In 2019, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Diocese of Gahini, a position he held for seven years before being elected to lead the Anglican Church in Rwanda.
Dr Gahima is married and has eight children.
About The Author
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
