East African Revival 90th celebrations kick off in Ankole
The five-day convention, organised by dioceses in the Ankole sub-region, kicked off on August 26, 2026, and was officially opened by Rt Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese and Dean of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
Rt Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese and Dean of the Province of the Church of Uganda preaching at the Ankole Diocese Bishop's Grounds to commemorate 90 years of the East African Revival Movement. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)
________________ (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)
Christians from different parts of the Greater Ankole dioceses and beyond have gathered at the Ankole Diocese Bishop's Grounds to commemorate 90 years of the East African Revival Movement.
The five-day convention, organised by dioceses in the Ankole sub-region, kicked off on August 26, 2026, and was officially opened by Rt Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese and Dean of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
The convention has attracted believers from diverse communities in Ankole and beyond, turning the anniversary into a reunion of worship, gratitude and remembrance of the Revival movement that reshaped the region's religious landscape.
The convention is being held under the theme, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Bishop Mwesigwa challenged the faithful to treat the convention as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and a return to the foundational roots of the Revival movement.
Referring to Revelation 3:20, Bishop Sheldon reminded the gathering of Christ's invitation to believers: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
He urged Christians to open their hearts and answer God's call.
former Archbishop of Uganda Henry Luke Orombi at the (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)
He also urged them not to harden their hearts when they hear Him speak, but to respond in faith and obedience.
The five-day convention has brought together experienced Revival leaders, bishops, clergy and Christian speakers who are expected to facilitate various sessions.
Among the speakers and facilitators who have already arrived are Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, Dr Alice Mwesigwa, Bishop John Guernsey, Bishop Emeritus Henry Luke Orombi, Bishop Samson Mwaluda, Rev. Dr John Senyonyi, Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni, Bishop Nathan Amoti Rusengo, Rev. Isaiah Arinatwe and Rev. Canon Justus Miwanda, among others.
The celebrations will continue until August 30, 2026, with worship, teaching, fellowship and various sessions led by the invited speakers.
The East African Revival, which started in Uganda and Rwanda in the late 1920s and 1930s before spreading across East Africa, was a major Christian renewal movement.
In Ankole, the movement took deep root and transformed the spiritual and socioeconomic landscape. According to Bishop Mwesigwa, the Revival fire is still burning, and the fruits of the Revival are evident in different spheres of the Ankole region and beyond.