KIGALI, Rwanda — Thousands of Christians from across Rwanda gathered at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday, August 16, 2026, for Rwanda Shima Imana 2026, a national thanksgiving gathering centered on worship, prayer and reflection on the country’s transformation over the past three decades.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva joined participants at the gathering, which brought together Christians from different churches and communities. Rwanda’s Office of the Prime Minister described the occasion as a celebration of worship and thanksgiving as well as an opportunity to reflect on Rwanda’s rebuilding journey over the past 32 years.
The gathering at Amahoro Stadium combined Christian worship with a broader message of gratitude, unity and hope for the country’s future. Organizers have presented Rwanda Shima Imana as an interdenominational initiative that brings Christians together beyond individual church affiliations to give thanks, pray for Rwanda and encourage continued peace and national progress.
The 2026 event also drew attention to the profound changes Rwanda has experienced since the devastation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Religious leaders associated with the gathering have emphasized the contrast between the country’s difficult post-genocide circumstances and the development, stability and opportunities visible today.
Ahead of the festival, Apostle Joshua Masasu, leader of Restoration Church, recalled the severe conditions Rwanda faced in the aftermath of the genocide, including damaged infrastructure and disrupted communities. Reflecting on the country’s subsequent transformation, he said, “Today Rwanda is a country people desire to visit,” pointing to the country’s recovery as one of the reasons Christians should come together in thanksgiving.
Masasu also encouraged believers to view their own lives and Rwanda’s continued progress as reasons for gratitude. “Everyone who believes that God has done something in their life should come and give thanks to God,” he said in remarks promoting the August 16 gathering.
Rwanda Shima Imana has developed into a recurring national Christian gathering attracting worshippers from different denominations. Similar events have combined prayer, preaching and worship with messages focused on national unity, peace and thanksgiving. The Prime Minister’s Office records that the 2024 edition was also held at Amahoro Stadium, demonstrating the event’s continuing place on Rwanda’s religious calendar.
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Sunday’s gathering highlighted a message that extended beyond celebration. For participants and religious leaders, thanksgiving was also presented as an opportunity to remember Rwanda’s difficult history, recognize the country’s recovery and pray for continued peace, unity and development.
With thousands assembled inside one of Rwanda’s largest national venues, Rwanda Shima Imana 2026 offered a visible expression of collective Christian faith while encouraging participants to carry forward a spirit of gratitude, responsibility and hope for future generations.
