Greater Ankole, Kigezi set to celebrate 90 years of East African Revival
The youth need to know where we came from so they can carry the fire forward,” Rev. Abraham Ahabwe emphasised, as Christians prepare to mark 90 years of the East African Revival.
The Archbishop of Uganda, His Grace Rt Rev Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, speaks during an interview at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala on Monday, August 17, 2026, as Ankole Diocese prepares to celebrate 90 years of the East African Revival movement in western Uganda. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)
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Christians across Greater Ankole are preparing for a five-day celebration to mark 90 years of the East African Revival, a spiritual movement that started in the 1930s and reshaped church life across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
According to Ankole Diocese chair and host bishop, Rt Rev. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the historic anniversary will run from August 26 to August 30, 2026, in Greater Ankole.
“Churches under the Church of Uganda in the dioceses of Ankole, North Ankole, South Ankole, West Ankole, North West Ankole and Kigezi are expected to host joint services, testimonies, and conventions,” Bishop Mwesigwa said.
Mwesigwa said the week will focus on prayer, repentance, unity and evangelism, which are the core values the Revival Movement was founded on.
What is the East African Revival?
The Revival, locally called ‘Okulokoka’, literally meaning to become a born-again Christian, began around 1936 in Rwanda and spread to Uganda through believers in Gahini.
“Public confession of sin and reconciliation started to be witnessed among our people. Bible study and fellowship in small groups began becoming a cornerstone for evangelism across East Africa,” he said.
Emphasis on holiness, honesty and servant leadership started to be propagated among Christians across divides, which we still want Ugandans to embrace, Kaziimba observed.
“Many of Uganda’s current church leaders, hymns, and mission practices trace their roots to the Revival which Christians must celebrate as a gift from God,” he noted.
Why 90 years matters
Rev. Abraham Ahabwe, the chairperson of the publicity committee and one of the church leaders in Greater Ankole, said the celebration is not just about history, but about renewing the Revival’s message for today's generation.
“90 years later, we still need the same spirit of truth, repentance, and unity,” Rev Abraham said.
Ahabwe said the planned activities will include inter-diocesan conventions with guest preachers, testimonies from elders who were part of the early Revival, youth and choir festivals, and medical outreaches.
Thousands of believers from across Uganda and neighbouring countries are expected to attend, with key stakeholders from the central government also expected to travel to Greater Ankole for the celebrations.
“Diaspora members with Revival roots are also being mobilised to attend. The climax is expected on August 30, 2026, with a thanksgiving service,” he emphasised.
Rugarama Hill
Kabale district in south-western Uganda is home to Rugarama Hill, a foundational historic site for the East African Revival that swept across the region in the 1930s.
Serving as the headquarters of the Diocese of Kigezi, the hill remains a central gathering place for periodic milestone conventions celebrating decades of spiritual renewal, personal confession and faith.
The Revival was an engine for the production of testimonial literature, and there are now dozens of books that present revivalists' autobiographies as evidence of God's work in eastern Africa.