Jesuits in Africa Welcome Elevation of Rwanda-Burundi Region to Province

Fr. Gasigwa, who has been serving the Rwanda-Burundi region since January 2021 as Regional Superior until his recent appointment, previously held several roles, including assistant to the Regional Superior, Treasurer, and Superior of the Centre Christus Community in Rwanda from 2012 to 2015.

Carved from the Central African Province, the new Rwanda-Burundi Province is the newest province of the Jesuits/SJ, comprising over 90 Jesuits and approximately 65 members currently in formation, according to the July 22 report.

The Province in Eastern Africa became a dependent region of the Central Africa Province in November 1995 and was later elevated to the status of an independent region by decree in May 1999.

On Tuesday July 22, the Society announced the elevation of the Rwanda-Burundi region, saying, “Now, Father General Arturo Sosa has decided to erect the new Province by a decree that takes effect from 31 July 2025, the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola.”

Members of the Jesuits/SJ have been in Rwanda since early 1950s where, according to their July 22 report, they first founded a secondary school in Kabgayi, in what is now the Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi, before the Belgian colonial administration relocated them to “Usumbura (now Bujumbura, Burundi) in 1955.”

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The Jesuits returned to Rwanda in the 1960s, after which they established the Our Lady of the Wayside Novitiate in Cyangugu in 1966, the Kigali Centre in 1972, and the Urumuri Centre in 1980.

As part of their educational apostolate, the Religious Institute runs an academic complex in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, which includes a nursery, primary, and secondary school.

In Burundi, the Jesuits continue to expand their mission through pastoral work, higher education, and social action.

In addition to their development projects in Kiriri, Viguzo, Mubimbi, and Gitega, the Jesuit members in Burundi also assist displaced persons in the region through the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and run the Service Yezu Mwiza Center, which supports people living with HIV.

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.