Presentation of diocese of Kibungo

The Diocese of Kibungo was erected from the Diocese of Kabgayi on September 5, 1968, by His Holiness Pope Paul VI. It is in eastern Rwanda, with an area of 2,670 km2. It covers the eastern part of Rwanda and borders Tanzania in the east and Burundi in the south. It is composed of 18 parishes : Four in the South (Kibungo, Bare, Zaza, Rukoma) ; Seven in the East (Rukira, Kirehe, Rusumo, Nyarubuye, Musaza, Gahara and Gashiru) ; Four in the center (Kabarondo, Gishanda, Munyaga, Kansana) ; two in the North (Mukarange, Rukara) ; one to the northwest (Rwamagana).

At its foundation, the Diocese was entrusted to His Excellency Monsignor Joseph SIBOMANA, born in Save (Diocese of Butare), on 25th April, 1915, until then Bishop of Ruhengeri. He was enthroned in Kibungo on December 29, 1968 by His Excellency Monsignor Amelio Poggi, then Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda.

On March 30, 1992, was elected the 2nd Bishop of Kibungo, His Excellency Monsignor Fredrick RUBWEJANGA, born in Nyabinyenga (Gitarama) in 1931. It was on August 28, 2007 that Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation and appointed His Excellency Monsignor Kizito BAHUJIMIHIGO then Bishop of Ruhengeri to replace him.
The 3rd Bishop of Kibungo was His Excellency Bishop Kizito BAHUJIMIHIGO. The latter was born in Rwamagana (Kibungo) on December 5, 1954. He was ordained a priest on July 25, 1980 in Kibungo. He was first appointed Bishop of Ruhengeri on November 21, 1997 and was inducted on June 27, 1998.

On August 28, 2007 , His Excellency Monsignor Kizito BAHUJIMIHIGO then Bishop of Ruhengeri was transferred by Pope Benedict XVI to the Diocese of Kibungo. On January 29, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation and appointed His Excellency Archbishop Thadda NTIHINYURWA, Archbishop of Kigali and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Kibungo.

Currently, the episcopate of the Diocese of Kibungo is provided by Bishop Antoine Kambanda.

For more details, clic on KIBUNGO