Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, emphasized that it is natural for church leaders to be held accountable for their actions. He added that if a clergy member wishes to act freely without oversight, it indicates their term of service has come to an end.
His remarks come amid tensions in the Anglican Church following the arrest of Dr. Samuel Mugisha, the former Bishop of the Shyira Diocese, on allegations of embezzling church funds.
After Dr. Mugisha’s detention by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on January 21, 2025, letters, internal meetings, and even a legal suit targeting Archbishop Mbanda began to surface.
Background of the Dispute
Earlier, on February 19, 2025, Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, former Bishop of the Gahini Diocese, sent a letter to fellow bishops raising seven concerns about the actions of clergy, including accusations against Dr. Mugisha. The letter referenced issues such as the use of church land, misuse of church vehicles, and the role of spouses in church organizations like the Mother’s Union. Bishop Bilindabagabo encouraged his colleagues to provide information to the prosecution to clarify matters.
On October 8, 2025, Bishop Bilindabagabo followed up with a letter titled “The Truth is Yours”, addressing the alleged misconduct of Dr. Mugisha. He explained that many of the alleged actions fall within standard episcopal duties and are common practices across dioceses. “Seeing Bishop Mugisha imprisoned for nine months may give the impression that he committed a severe crime. Yet, upon reviewing the charges, one realizes that many of the allegations relate to normal episcopal activities performed in dioceses,” Bilindabagabo wrote.
He further reminded bishops that some acts, although standard within church practice, may be considered misconduct if carried out outside church oversight, and urged fairness in addressing accusations.
Archbishop Mbanda Speaks Out
Archbishop Mbanda, who was first elected to lead the Anglican Church of Rwanda in 2018 and re-elected in June 2023, spoke to journalists during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Butare Diocese. He emphasized the importance of accountability and humility among clergy. “It is natural for people to be held accountable. We are human, and as humans, we make mistakes. What matters most is recognizing errors, humbling oneself, and seeking forgiveness from God and those affected,” he said.
Mbanda added that if a bishop wants to act independently without facing accountability, it simply shows their time in office has expired.
He also noted that arrests of bishops are not unprecedented in the Anglican Church of Rwanda, citing past cases of accountability enforcement within church leadership.
Regarding the letters sent by Bishop Bilindabagabo, Mbanda refrained from detailed comments, stating: “What one has done, God sees. Likewise, the history and actions of others are known. Those who speak should be cautious, as the truth will ultimately be revealed by God.”
Legal Actions Against the Archbishop
Archbishop Mbanda has faced two separate court cases initiated by Pastor Byiringiro Fabien and Japhet Rukundo, former leaders within the Shyira Diocese. The first case, filed in the Nyarugenge High Council, claims that Mbanda continues to lead the church unlawfully despite reaching retirement age. The second urgent case seeks to block him from making decisions on behalf of the church.
Both cases have been postponed twice, with hearings expected to resume later this month. Mbanda has chosen not to comment on the plaintiffs, stating that court matters are handled through proper legal channels and that God ultimately guides outcomes.
Call for Faith and Unity
Archbishop Mbanda urged members of the Anglican Church to remain steadfast in their faith, pray for guidance, and avoid spreading divisive remarks. He also called for prayers for the former Shyira Bishop, Dr. Mugisha Samuel, asking that justice and truth prevail.“As the saying goes, one cannot score a goal from the sidelines. Everyone has a role to play, but we must trust that God will ensure the right outcome,” he said.
Mbanda’s leadership term will continue until October next year, following his re-election in 2023, and he remains focused on guiding the Anglican Church of Rwanda through challenges while promoting unity and accountability.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
