President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has credited the East African Revival with helping transform the moral, social and economic life of communities in Ankole over the past 90 years.
President Museveni said the spiritual movement confronted social problems including alcoholism, adultery, dishonesty, poor hygiene, superstition and harmful traditional practices, while encouraging education, discipline and responsible Christian living.
He made the remarks at St. John’s Cathedral, Ruharo, in Mbarara City, during celebrations marking 90 years of the East African Revival in Greater Ankole.
The five-day Ankole Revival Convention was held under the theme, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,” drawn from Hebrews 13:8.
The East African Revival took root in Ankole in 1936 after spreading from Rwanda through Kigezi. The movement emphasised repentance, personal transformation, reconciliation and practical Christian living.
President Museveni said the Revival had played a major role in confronting alcoholism in Ankole. “The Revival in many ways saved Ankole because it dealt with drunkenness,” he said.
He recalled that Banyankole were once associated with heavy alcohol consumption and narrated how he visited a brewery established by South Africans and asked why Mbarara had been identified as one of its major markets.
“They said they had done research and found that most of the drunkards were this side,” he said.
President Museveni said the Revival also challenged tobacco use, particularly among women, as well as adultery and promiscuity, which he said contributed to the spread of sexually transmitted infections and weakened families.
He said the Balokole also confronted superstition, witchcraft, dishonesty and untrustworthiness while promoting hygiene and healthier social practices. “They learnt the importance of sending children to schools. This was all done by the born-agains,” he said.
The President said Revival followers encouraged communities to boil milk and water before consumption and discouraged the sharing of drinking cups and beer mugs.
Beyond its religious influence, he said, the movement contributed to changing social attitudes and encouraged communities to embrace education and disciplined living.
President Museveni also used the occasion to caution communities against environmental degradation, particularly the destruction of wetlands and water catchment areas.
He said declining water levels in the River Rwizi were a warning that economic development could not be separated from environmental protection. “In Mbarara, I see you have a problem. You don’t have water. The River Rwizi does not have water,” he said.
President Museveni said the increasing demand for irrigation and pasture development in Ankole makes protection of water sources even more urgent. “You need to do irrigation, and to do that, you need water. All those demands mean that we must respect the environment. People should get out of wetlands,” he said.
He welcomed the Church’s growing involvement in socio-economic development, particularly initiatives aimed at helping communities improve household incomes. “I am glad that Bishop Ahimbisibwe and others are getting into socio-economic development. He has done a lot of coffee in Ntungamo there,” he said.
Museveni backs Revival museum
President Museveni also supported a proposal to establish a museum dedicated to the East African Revival, saying the institution would preserve the history of the movement and its contribution to Uganda and the wider world.
“On the issue of the Revival museum, I will take it. It is a symbol of civilisation, our contribution to the human race,” he said.
He said the proposed museum could also preserve stories of remarkable families and couples, including people who have remained married for several decades.
President Museveni also reflected on his personal connection to Ruharo, saying he first visited the cathedral compound 77 years ago. “I want to thank the Lord because He has really favoured me. I was first here on this compound of this cathedral 77 years ago,” he said.
He recalled that his great-grandfather and grandfathers initially resisted joining the Church of Uganda after missionaries arrived in Ankole in 1899.
“My great-grandfather, who was alive, refused to join the Church. All my grandfathers refused to join the Church. It is only my father, mother and myself who, in 1947, joined the Church at Kinoni,” he said.
He also narrated how he became separated from his parents during a gathering in Ankole after following a woman whose clothing resembled his mother’s.
“I followed a woman wearing the same cloth with the same pattern as my mother’s. I followed her, and later Mzee Kaguta followed me. This was 77 years ago. Praise be to the Lord,” he said.
Church calls for renewed Revival
Retired Archbishop Luke Orombi, who commissioned the Revival celebrations, thanked President Museveni for his support to the Church and other religious organisations.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for supporting the Church. You have always given to the work of the Church and other religious organisations of Uganda. You have always opened your door to us as religious leaders,” Rt. Rev. Orombi said.
He urged leaders to know the Lord and allow righteousness to guide their leadership, describing Christians as the salt of the world and the light of the earth.
The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, said the 90th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the movement’s contribution to Ankole while considering the challenges facing the region today.
He said the Revival had contributed to Ankole’s strong Christian identity, citing figures showing that 44.9 percent of people in the region identify as Anglican.
However, Rt. Rev. Mwesigwa said alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS remain serious challenges and called for a renewed commitment to the values that defined the Revival.
He also called for greater use of the media to promote positive values and urged Christians to rekindle the Revival.
Four couples who have been married for 75 years attended the celebrations, while people aged 95 and above who were saved during the Revival of the 1930s and 1940s also took part.
Prof. John Iraaka, who said he became a Christian in 1958 at about 15 years of age, shared his personal experience of the movement.
He recalled meeting a preacher near Nile Breweries while travelling to Ruharo, who spoke to him about Christ.
Although he said he later lost some of his spiritual focus while at Ntare School and Makerere University, Prof. Iraaka said he eventually returned to his faith and has now spent 68 years as a Christian.
From Rwanda to Ankole
The East African Revival emerged in the early 1930s following the meeting of British missionary Dr Joe Church and African civil servant Simeon Nsibambi.
The movement gained momentum from Gahini in Rwanda before spreading to Kigezi in 1935 and Ankole in 1936.
Historical accounts presented during the celebrations indicate that Dr Church travelled from Gahini to Mbarara towards Christmas in 1935. After failing to obtain spare parts to repair his vehicle, he was hosted at St. James Cathedral, Ruharo.
He was subsequently asked to send evangelists from Gahini to preach to clergy and evangelists in Ankole.
On January 8, 1936, evangelists including Blasio Kigozi, Paul Gahunde and Yosiya Kinuka arrived in Ankole and conducted a week of prayer and preaching, helping ignite the Revival in the region.
The movement emphasised repentance, the preaching of the Word of God, the cross of Christ, reconciliation and restitution. Those who had wronged others were encouraged to seek forgiveness and make amends.
Although initially resisted by some clergy, civil servants and officials, the Revival gradually spread and by the 1950s had become an accepted part of Church life in Ankole. Its influence extended beyond worship into education, health, hygiene, work ethic and community life.
The 90th anniversary celebrations concluded with a photo session involving President Museveni, bishops and their spouses, as well as elderly survivors of the early Revival.