The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested Bishop Mugisha Mugiraneza Samuel, who previously led the Shyira Diocese of the Anglican Church in Rwanda. Bishop Mugisha is being investigated for alleged embezzlement and misuse of church funds for his personal gain while he was still in office.
Bishop Mugisha was arrested on Tuesday, according to reliable information from IGIHE. He is currently being held at the RIB station in Remera while investigations into the charges continue. Issues surrounding Bishop Mugisha began to surface in early 2024 when some pastors in the Shyira Diocese started to highlight the mismanagement of the diocese’s affairs. They claimed that they were reassigned to new roles unfairly, a move they believed was aimed at silencing those who opposed the bishop’s leadership.
As the conflict escalated, the pastors, who had been reassigned, began accusing Bishop Mugisha of mismanaging church funds. These accusations included claims that he had awarded contracts to companies linked to him, such as the supply of sand for the construction of a diocesan building and the supply of eggs to early childhood education centers under the diocese’s management, with the businesses supposedly owned by close associates of Bishop Mugisha.
Some church leaders argue that these accusations are false, suggesting that the pastors were retaliating after their roles were changed. They claim the accusations stem from personal grievances, including financial disputes.
As the tensions persisted, the leadership of the Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR) initiated an audit of the Shyira Diocese and urged Bishop Mugisha to address the issues. Subsequently, EAR took the decision to temporarily suspend him from his duties as bishop due to the allegations of financial mismanagement. Bishop Mugisha is now facing legal actions regarding the accusations against him.
The Shyira Diocese has become a focal point for significant issues concerning leadership and financial mismanagement, leading to the interventions by EAR and the RIB. An investigation is underway, and legal proceedings are expected to determine the outcome of the charges against Bishop Mugisha.
