Rwanda
As a result of civil war and genocide in Rwanda, The Salvation Army became actively involved in relief work in September 1994. Operations were concentrated in Kayenzi Commune, part of the Gitarama Prefecture. Following mission work by officers from Zaïre, Uganda and Tanzania in 1995, officers were appointed from Congo (Brazzaville) to develop corps and mission work in Kayenzi Commune. Kayenzi Corps officially began its ministry in November 1996.
The command was privileged to welcome the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham) and Commissioner Brownyn Buckingham (WSWM) on what was their first visit to Africa. They presided at the commissioning of 10 cadets of the Messengers of Compassion Session, supported by Nairobi Central Temple Band and songsters from Kenya East Territory.
At a march of witness where the Chief and Commissioner Buckingham took the salute, the government was represented by Mr Paul Kabera (Rwanda Governance Board in charge of churches) and Protestant Council in Rwanda by the General Secretary, the Reverend Samuel Rugambage.
The Women's Ministries Department conducted a weekend rally at Kinigi outreach with teaching session on conflict management and family planning, and competitions on Bible knowledge, table setting and singing, as well as having a fashion show and crafts exhibition. On Sunday a march of witness and open-air meeting were held, in addition to a holiness meeting.
Kamonyi Division also conducted the first divisional Women's Ministries rally, comprising praise, drama, signing and Bible teaching by the CPWM and CSWM.
The command was blessed and privileged to host the Conference of African Leaders (COAL), coinciding with the welcome to the Messengers of Grace Session of cadets.
A challenge currently facing the command is the new law whereby churches showing a surplus at the end of the financial year will have to pay income tax.
Command Leaders
Lieut-Colonel Seth Appeateng - Officer Commanding (1 September 2013)
Lieut-Colonel Janet Appeateng - Command President for Women's Ministries
Major Dieudonné Louzolo - General Secretary (1 August 2015)
Major Edith Louzolo - Command Secretary for Women's Ministries
Command Headquarters
Plot 11737,
Kibagabaga Road,
Kimironko Sector,
Kigali,
Rwanda
Postal Address
PO Box 812,
Kigali,
Rwanda
Statistics
Officers - 41 Cadets - 10
Envoys - 7 Employees - 29
Corps - 20 Outposts - 18
Senior Soldiers - 3,306 Adherents - 1,020 Junior Soldiers - 1,765
tel: +(250) 252 587 639
email: rwa.leadership@rwa.salvationarmy.org
Country included in the region: Rwanda, Burundi
Languages in which the gospel is preached: English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kiswahili