He made these remarks in response to growing tensions within the Anglican Church of Rwanda, following the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Samuel Mugisha, the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, who was accused of embezzling church funds.
In the aftermath of his arrest, the situation escalated as informal group meetings were held among church members, and one pastor went as far as taking the Archbishop to court.
{{The origin of the internal disputes}}
On January 21, 2025, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested Dr. Samuel Mugiraneza Mugisha, then Bishop of Shyira Diocese, on allegations of embezzling church property for personal benefit while still in office.
Following his arrest, the former Bishop of Gahini Diocese, Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, wrote to other bishops on February 19, 2025, raising seven questions, including accusations that bishops were blaming Mugisha for acts they themselves commit.
He accused some bishops of using church vehicles as personal property, grazing cattle on church land, and allowing their wives to lead the Mothers’ Union. He questioned why they had reported Mugisha to prosecutors, who later released him.
On October 8, 2025, Bilindabagabo wrote another letter titled “The Truth Will Set You Free”, saying that the alleged offenses committed by Bishop Mugisha were actually usual practices within the Church.
“It is shocking to see a bishop handcuffed and imprisoned for nine months. When you attend his court hearings, you realize that what he’s accused of is common practice among bishops, things that happen daily in every diocese,” he wrote.
He went on to argue that grazing cattle on church land is a long-standing Anglican tradition, not a crime. He urged fellow bishops to defend Mugisha, saying what he did was customary within the Church.
{{The Church’s official response}}
On October 14, 2025, the Anglican Church of Rwanda released a statement expressing concern about the behavior of some retired clergy who continued to interfere in Church leadership without any mandate.
During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Butare Diocese on Sunday, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda addressed the media, emphasizing accountability within the Church.
On the issue of Bishop Mugiraneza’s imprisonment, he said: “It’s not surprising for someone to be held accountable. People make mistakes, we are all human. What matters most is recognizing those mistakes, humbling yourself before God, and asking for forgiveness from both God and those you have wronged.”
He added that any bishop who wishes to operate independently of Church authority is no longer fit to serve: “If there is a bishop who wants to act outside the Church’s guidance, his time is over. Some think that because they acted in a certain way, others should too, but that’s a misconception.”
Archbishop Mbanda noted that it’s not the first time a Rwandan Anglican bishop has been imprisoned over accountability issues, citing similar past incidents.
{{Reaction to Bishop Bilindabagabo’s letters}}
When asked about the letters written by retired Bishop Bilindabagabo, Dr. Mbanda said he would not comment in detail, explaining that everyone’s actions are known to God: “He knows what he did, and so do you. Don’t ask me about it, he will answer to God. I too will answer to God for my actions.”
He criticized those spreading false information about the Church, saying: “We condemn those who tell lies about the Church, those who invent stories they don’t know about. There’s no reason to publicly humiliate others.”
Mbanda dismissed claims that he is the source of division within the Church, saying history will speak for itself.
He explained that the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, Dr. Samuel Mugisha, had already resigned on November 29, 2024, and that his resignation letter was read to the other bishops.
{{Archbishop Mbanda taken to court}}
Archbishop Dr. Laurent Mbanda has been taken to court by Pastor Fabien Byiringiro and former Shyira Diocese parish leader, Japhet Rukundo, who filed two separate lawsuits against him.
The first case, filed at the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court in Nyamirambo, accuses Dr. Mbanda of leading the Anglican Church of Rwanda unlawfully, arguing that he has already reached the official retirement age.
According to information obtained by IGIHE, the court set a distant hearing date for this case, prompting the plaintiffs to file a second, urgent case.
The second case, filed under urgent procedure, seeks a court order prohibiting Archbishop Mbanda from making decisions on behalf of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.
Their arguments include claims that he makes unilateral decisions without consulting others and that he has already reached retirement age.
The case has been postponed twice and is now expected to resume at the end of this month in the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.
Dr. Mbanda declined to comment on the individuals who took him to court, stating that he could not speak about matters that are before the judiciary.
He said: “I can only tell you one thing. I did not appoint myself. That’s one. Secondly, I did not lack anything else to do, nor did I have nowhere to go. And thirdly, we must thank God because sometimes He uses unexpected people or circumstances to take you exactly where He wants you to be.”
Dr. Mbanda urged members of the Anglican Church to remain steadfast in their faith, draw closer to God, and avoid spreading rumors, reminding them that the Church belongs to them and needs their prayers.
He also called on them to pray for the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese so that God may reveal the truth in due time.
Dr. Mbanda added: “Someone once said that those who are not on the field never score a goal. You may cheer and even criticize those playing, but you can’t score if you’re not in the game.”
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was elected to lead the Anglican Church of Rwanda in 2018. In June 2023, he was re-elected to continue serving as Archbishop until October next year.
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