Museveni: East African Revival Shaped Ankole's Morality and Development

President Yoweri Museveni recently celebrated the 90th anniversary of the East African Revival in Greater Ankole, highlighting its transformative influence on the region. Speaking at St. John’s Cathedral, Ruharo, in Mbarara City, he emphasized how the spiritual movement tackled societal challenges such as alcoholism, dishonesty, and harmful traditional practices.

The Revival, which took root in Ankole in 1936, promoted repentance, personal transformation, and responsible Christian living. President Museveni recalled his own early encounters with Christianity in Ankole, noting his family’s initial resistance to joining the Church of Uganda upon the arrival of missionaries in 1899, with his father, mother, and himself only joining in 1947.

He recounted how the Revival significantly addressed social problems, including the widespread issue of excessive alcohol consumption that had once been associated with Banyankole. The movement also confronted tobacco use, adultery, and superstition, advocating for improved hygiene, healthier practices, and the importance of education for children.

President Museveni also touched upon the Church’s growing involvement in socio-economic development, encouraging religious revival to extend beyond spiritual matters to improving livelihoods. He cautioned against environmental degradation, particularly the destruction of wetlands, which he stated is jeopardizing water resources in areas like Mbarara, citing the diminished flow of the River Rwizi.

Further, he welcomed the proposal for a museum dedicated to the East African Revival, seeing it as a vital way to preserve the movement’s history and Uganda’s cultural contributions. The event also featured testimonies from individuals who experienced the Revival firsthand and celebrated long-standing marriages as a testament to enduring values.

The East African Revival began in the early 1930s and spread from Rwanda to Ankole, emphasizing repentance, the power of the cross, and reconciliation. It influenced not only spiritual life but also education, health, work ethic, and community values across the region.

https://statehouse.go.ug/president-museveni-hails-east-african-revival-for-transforming-ankole