History of UCE - Burundi

Bishop Martin Blaise Nyaboho presides over Makamba Diocese, which is one of five dioceses in the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi. Makamba Diocese has 165,000 members, 18 parishes, 152 local congregations, 22 priests and 152 evangelists. Bishop Nyaboho, concerned about the rate of HIV/AIDS in his diocese and aware of the remarkable success against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, decided to implement the same strategy in his diocese.

In October 2005, he and Mrs. Annociate Kwizera, (a teacher and the diocesan Mother’s Union worker) visited Uganda to learn more about the UCE outreach approach and participated in an outreach in Bushenyi district, Uganda. Upon their return to Burundi, they developed a modified UCE strategy which they felt would be most suited to Burundi’s culture and life and people.

Bishop Nyaboho is convinced that the UCE model can be implemented successfully in Burundi and in a recent interview said, “We need to talk about abstinence and fidelity. Young people must be taught that it is worth their while to wait before they engage in sex. They must be taught the value of being faithful to your spouse”. The UCE-Burundi Charter was written and signed by three Anglican Bishops, three other church leaders (affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the National Council of Churches of Burundi and the Roman Catholic Church) and five government employees/parliamentarians/educators.

UCE Burundi​

UCE Burundi is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to reach out to the people of the area. The team uses the traditional outreach format that is used in Uganda, but adds several components that make it more effective in Burundi. Young leaders are identified from within the student bodies and given an intense weekend UCE workshop. These youth leaders then prepare the school for a UCE visit and continue with the message after the team has left.

Additionally, UCE- Burundi has pioneered the couples seminar understanding that old and young are affected by HIV/AIDS. The couple’s seminar is an important part of UCE training. There are approximately 20 couple’s seminars each year, one seminar in each parish in the Makamba diocese. Couples and speakers share different experiences and learn from the Bible about how a Christian couple should live, treat their spouse, etc. Other topics include: home family matters, faithfulness in marriage, HIV/AIDS, and prayer time.

Burundi

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Chastity Pledges Signed!
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Fidelity in Marriage Pledges Signed!

Africa Program Director

Isaac-Lema

Isaac Lema

Africa Director

Mr. Isaac Lema was a co-founder of UCE-Tanzania and now Africa Director. He has served UCE continuously since then as an outreach volunteer and the Tanzania Programs Officer. Isaac is a professional counselor who graduated from Tumaini University in 2008 with a degree in Counseling Psychology. In 2012, he received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Muhimbili University. During those years he wrote two books on chastity, Love and Relationships and Sex Before, Within, and Outside of Marriage. He also is an assistant lecturer and clinical psychologist at Muhimbili University in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He and his wife, Emeline, have co-facilitated UCE outreaches, testifying to the reality of living chastely. They are now parents of a lovely baby girl. In his new role, Isaac will coordinate all of the UCE programs in Africa.

Meet the Burundi Team

Rev. Onesiphore Ndayizigamiye

National Director, Burundi

Rev. Onesiphore is a priest at Ebenezer Cathederal in Makamba Diocese. He graduated from Matana Theological Institute and also holds a degree from Carlilie College Nairobi. He is married to Mrs. Niyongabire Evelyne and they have 1 daughter. He teaches the youth Scripture that relates to abstinence.

Kwizera Annonciate
Facilitator, Burundi

Kwizera is a teacher by profession, and is also the Diocesan Mothers Union General Secretary. She is married to Rukundo Manasseh, and has 1 boy. She says as a mother and a teacher she wants to encourage youth to abstain and for married couples to live faithfully.

Rev. Gatoto Hermes
Facilitator, Burundi

Rev. Hermes graduated from Uganda Christian University with a degree in divinity. He was ordained in 2002 in the Angligan Church of Burndi. He has been working as the Diocesan Secretary in Makamba since 2004. He is married to Lydia Hakizimana and has 2 children. He is a member of the Commission of Security within Makamba District. He became interested in UCE because he wanted to help the youth save their lives. He encourages youth to abstain for their lives, and because it is the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Munezero Eliane
Treasurer, Burundi

She holds a diploma in management and Administration of Finance. She is the UCE treasurer.

Bishop Martin Nyaboho
UCE-Burundi, co-Founder

Bishop Martin is the Bishop of Makamba Diocese, Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi. He is married to Mrs. Emilienne Nyaboho Ruzobavako, and has 8 children. He holds a BA in Systematic Theology and has many certificates on topics ranging from HIV/AIDS to development in Burundi. He developed a passion for the UCE ministry after witnessing outreaches in Uganda. He wanted to bring the UCE message back to his people, and did so in 2006. He is the chair of the National Network of the Churches in Makamba (composed of 24 different denominations). He is the co-chair (with Roman Catholic Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye) of the National Network of Religious Confessions on HIV/AIDS and the promotion of health in Burundi. He has a great passion for reaching out to the  youth using the UCE model of a Christ-centered approach.