President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has credited the East African Revival with playing a major role in transforming Ankole’s moral, social and economic life over the past 90 years. Speaking at St. John’s Cathedral, Ruharo, in Mbarara City, during celebrations marking the Revival’s 90th anniversary in Greater Ankole, Museveni said the movement helped communities confront alcoholism, adultery, dishonesty, poor hygiene, superstition and harmful traditional practices while encouraging discipline, education and responsible Christian living.
The President said the Revival, which took root in Ankole in 1936 after spreading from Rwanda through Kigezi, became an important force for social change. He recalled his personal connection to Ruharo, saying he first visited the cathedral compound 77 years ago. Museveni also shared memories of his family’s religious journey, explaining that his great-grandfather and grandfathers initially rejected the Church of Uganda, while his parents and he later joined the Church in 1947 at Kinoni.
Museveni narrated several memories from his childhood, including returning to Ankole with his parents and sister, Dr. Kajubiri, in 1949 for celebrations marking 50 years of the Church’s presence in the region. He humorously recalled getting separated from his parents after mistakenly following a woman whose clothing resembled his mother’s. He later returned to Ankole in 1953 with his father and again in 1959 to join Junior Secondary One, where prayer formed part of their daily routine.
Reflecting on the Revival’s social impact, Museveni said the movement helped tackle excessive drinking, tobacco use, adultery, promiscuity and other behaviours that weakened families and communities. He recalled visiting a brewery established by South Africans and being told that research had identified the Mbarara area as a major market because of the high number of alcohol consumers. He said the Balokole also promoted hygiene, encouraged people to boil milk and water, discouraged sharing drinking vessels and urged families to send their children to school.
Museveni further called for the Church’s spiritual mission to be accompanied by practical economic transformation. He welcomed initiatives by religious leaders to support agriculture and improve household incomes, citing coffee-related projects in Ntungamo as an example. He also warned Ankole residents against destroying wetlands and water catchment areas, linking environmental degradation to the declining water levels in River Rwizi and urging communities to embrace irrigation while protecting natural resources.
The President also endorsed plans to establish a museum dedicated to the East African Revival, saying such a facility would preserve the movement’s history and showcase its contribution to humanity. He said the museum could document the stories of influential Christians and families, including couples who have remained married for decades. Museveni also praised the testimony of Prof. John Iraaka, whom he recalled knowing from their days at Ntare School, saying he was surprised by Iraaka’s account of his spiritual journey.
Religious leaders used the anniversary to call for a renewed Revival across the region. Retired Archbishop Luke Orombi thanked Museveni for his support toward the Church and urged national leaders to embrace righteousness and seek God’s guidance. Bishop Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the movement’s legacy and recommit to its values, while warning that alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS and other social challenges remain serious concerns requiring renewed spiritual and community action.
The East African Revival began in the early 1930s following the meeting of British missionary Dr. Joe Church and African civil servant Simeon Nsibambi, gaining momentum from Gahini in Rwanda before reaching Kigezi in 1935 and Ankole in 1936.
Historical accounts presented during the celebrations said evangelists including Blasio Kigozi, Paul Gahunde and Yosiya Kinuka arrived in Ankole on January 8, 1936, launching prayer and preaching activities that helped establish the movement.
Over the decades, its message of repentance, reconciliation, restitution and practical Christian living expanded into education, health, hygiene, work and community values, with the 90th-anniversary celebrations concluding in Ruharo with President Museveni, bishops, their spouses and elderly members who had embraced the Revival generations ago.
