The leadership of the Pentecostal Church of Rwanda (ADEPR) has stripped 35 people of their pastoral and evangelistic responsibilities for their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 18, ADEPR Senior Pastor and Legal Representative, Isaïe Ndayizeye, said the decision follows deliberations by the General Council of Pastors held on October 22, 2025, and February 11, 2026. ALSO READ: Jean Uwinkindi sentenced to life in prison for genocide “Based on the decision of the General Council of Pastors... the leadership of the ADEPR Church informs its congregants that those on the following list have been stripped of their pastoral and evangelistic responsibilities... because they were convicted of the crime of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994,” Ndayizeye wrote in the statement. Itangazo rigenewe Abanyetorero b'Itorero ADEPR. pic.twitter.com/L7ZVZoO0FQ — ADEPR Church (@adeprrwanda) March 18, 2026 Among those affected are people who previously held pastoral and evangelistic roles in different parts of the country. Some are currently serving sentences in various correctional facilities. They include Jean Uwinkindi, a former pastor in Eastern Province, who is serving a life sentence in Nyanza Correctional Facility; Matayo Ngezahayo, formerly based in Southern Province, currently detained in Mpanga Correctional Facility; Noel Nkubito, also a former pastor in Southern Province, now held in Muhanga Correctional Facility; and Joseph Ndemeye, who served in Southern Province and is currently in Huye Correctional Facility. ALSO READ: The failed church and five priests who refused to be silent Also listed is evangelist Aloys Habimana, who served in the Eastern Province and is currently serving his sentence in Ngarama Correctional Facility. The list also includes people residing in Rwanda and those in foreign countries. Among them is Joel Bizimungu, a former pastor in Kigali; Cyprien Gakwerere, who previously led the church in Southern Province and is now based in Uganda; Simon Pierre Gatera, currently living in Belgium; and Gerard Kagurano, also believed to be in Uganda. Others include Mathias Kananura and Celestin Muhire, both residing in Rwanda; Amoni Munyeboyi, currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Gervais Mwaruguru, who lives in Uganda; and Gaspard Ndarizigamye, who remains in Rwanda. Also on the list is Venant Ngendahayo, Theobard Niyonteze, and Antoine Nkubayimiheto. The statement also names several evangelists who previously served in different regions, including Innocent Ntakibuze (Western Province), Edouard Rusatsi (Eastern Province), Schadrack Sibomana (Kigali), and Vincent Uzabakirihó (Eastern Province).
