All Saints Church Kanungu Archdeaconry: Our History, Growth, and Evangelical Impact
Nestled in the bustling heart of Kanungu Town Council, All Saints Church Kanungu Archdeaconry stands as a magnificent testament to rapid spiritual expansion, strategic marketplace ministry, and generous community partnership. As a key administrative and evangelical pillar of the Diocese of Kinkiizi, this archdeaconry bridges urban commerce with deep-rooted Christian revival.
🏛️ A Unique Milestone: Sovereign from Day One
The birth of All Saints Kanungu is completely distinct in the history of the diocese. While most archdeaconries spend decades evolving incrementally from small sub-parishes to full parishes, All Saints experienced a miraculous, rapid structural growth.
On October 1, 1995, just months after the Diocese of Kinkiizi itself was inaugurated, All Saints Kanungu was officially opened. On that single historic day, the church rapidly transitioned from a tiny local prayer cell overseen from the hill of St. Peter’s Cathedral Nyakatare, straight into a sub-parish, a full parish, and an independent Archdeaconry simultaneously.
🤝 An Ecumenical Foundation of Generosity
The physical sanctuary that anchors Kanungu Town Council today exists because of an inspiring act of cross-denominational love and unity. When the founding Bishop of the diocese, the late Rt. Rev. John Wilson Ntegyereize, sought a strategic, central plot of land to build a flagship church within the town center, he approached a local Catholic couple, Mr. and Mrs. Matayo Rukanyangira.
Recognizing that the house of God serves all His children, Mr. and Mrs. Rukanyangira graciously agreed to sell their prized commercial space to the Anglican Church. This foundational act of ecumenical brotherhood remains etched into the legacy of the building, reminding all who worship there that the church is built on shared Christian love.
👥 Demographic & Socio-Economic Strength
Today, the archdeaconry has grown to shepherd a vibrant population of approximately 13,250 Christians, predominantly belonging to the resilient and hardworking Bakiga community.
- The Urban Center: Centered around Kanungu Town Council, the archdeaconry serves as the urban, political, and commercial engine of the district.
- The Agrarian Engine: The primary economic driver of the congregants is robust agriculture. The local hills thrive on the production of high-quality coffee and tea, alongside diverse food crops. The financial stewardship of the archdeaconry is deeply tied to these agricultural seasons, with farmers consistently dedicating their harvests to resource the work of the Gospel.
⛪ Parishes and Current Pastoral Leadership
All Saints Archdeaconry has systematically expanded its local reach to ensure effective grassroots discipleship. It is currently composed of seven thriving parishes, led by dedicated clergy:
- All Saints Kanungu Parish (Archdeaconry Seat) – Shepherd by the Ven. Peter Begira
- Kirima Parish – Shepherd by the Rev. Wilson Twesigomwe
- Kifunjo Parish – Shepherd by the Rev.
- Nyarurembo Parish – Shepherd by the Rev. Onesmus Byamugisha
📋 The Lineage of Leadership (1995 to Date)
The steady administrative and spiritual growth of the archdeaconry is owed to a succession of passionate Archdeacons. Notably, this pulpit served as a crucial stepping stone for the current Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dan Zoreka, who served here as Archdeacon in the early 2000s.
| Serving Archdeacon | Tenure of Service |
| Rev. Begumisa Stephen | 1995 – 1996 |
| Rev. Kamara David | 1996 – 1997 |
| Rev. Can. Stanley Mbonabweira | 1997 – 1999 |
| Rev. Wilson Twinomuhwezi (First Tenure) | 1999 – 2000 |
| Rev. Kenneth Kanyankole | 2000 |
| Rev. Dan Zoreka (Now Diocesan Bishop) | 2001 – 2003 |
| Rev. Saasi Bahira | 2003 – 2009 |
| Rev. Can. Turinawe Levi | 2009 – 2014 |
| Rev. Eunice Maririire | 2015 – 2016 |
| Ven. Can. Wilson Twinomuhwezi (Second Tenure) | 2017 |
| Ven. Can. Patrick Habasa | 2019 |
| Rev. Peter Begira | Current |
⚡ Contribution to the Evangelical Ministry
Situated in the commercial heart of Kanungu, All Saints Archdeaconry contributes uniquely to the wider evangelical blueprint of the Diocese of Kinkiizi. It champions marketplace evangelism, actively discipling corporate professionals, political leaders, and business entrepreneurs to live out their faith in the public square.
Through its vibrant youth fellowships, dynamic schools ministry, and strong Mother’s and Father’s Unions, the archdeaconry continuously mobilizes human and financial capital to fund rural missions, church planting, and socio-economic transformation across the entire diocese.
