18.03.2025

Reverend Emmanuel Muhozi from Rwanda Elected as New Head of UEM Division Africa

From the Protestant University of Rwanda to the United Evangelical Mision: Rev Dr Emmanuel Muhozi. Photo by: private

The Council of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) has appointed Rev Dr Emmanuel Muhozi from the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda as the new Head of the Division Africa of UEM. This personnel decision was necessary because the current officeholder, Rev. Dr John Wesley Kabango, will retire this year. The theologian, who holds a doctorate and will also be part of the UEM Management Team, will take up his post on 1 November 2025 at the Mission House in Wuppertal. Emmanuel Muhozi (46) is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance at the Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR).

The internationally composed Council is currently meeting in Botswana's capital Gaborone from 15 to 19 March at the invitation of Bishop Mothusi Letlhage from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana. They also appointed Rev Dr Dyah Ayu Krismawati as the new Deputy General Secretary of UEM, starting November 2025. With the appointment of the Indonesian theologian and Head of the Asia Division, for the first time, a woman from the Global South will become Deputy General Secretary of UEM.

Preparation for the next General Assembly in Tanzania

Another central agenda item of the meeting is the preparation for the next UEM General Assembly, which will take place from 14 to 20 September 2025 in the Tanzanian metropolis of Dar es Salaam. Particular interest will be given to the ongoing construction of the new UEM campus, "New Home for Africa." This construction project was made possible through the donation of a plot of land in an attractive location in Dar es Salaam by the Eastern Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania to UEM. The environmentally friendly construction of the campus is supported by the "Green Solidarity" fundraising campaign of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland.

Additionally, the Council is addressing amendments to the statutes that aim to ensure consistent internationalisation of leadership and greater participation of young adults in decision-making processes. The position of Moderator is to be filled on a regular cycle from one of the three UEM regions: Africa, Asia, and Germany. Furthermore, a youth delegate from each of the three regions is to be sent to the Council.

Study Day on "Mission and Colonialism" and "Sexual Violence in the Church"

Prior to the Council meeting, a study day was held on the topics of "Mission and Colonialism" and "Sexual Violence in the Church." In a World Café format, participants from African, Asian, and German UEM member churches exchanged views on their approaches to these sensitive topics. A report about the exchange of ideas will also be presented to the General Assembly for further discussion.

Statement on the Situation in Eastern Congo

The Council also adopted a statement on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo. In it, the Council calls on UEM members and all people to pray for the people suffering from the war in eastern DR Congo. Furthermore, it appeals to political decision-makers and the international community to work towards ending the war and conflicts in the region and to promote peace, mediation, and reconciliation. The actors in the affected countries are also urged to take concrete steps to address the causes of the conflict in Eastern Congo. The continuous provision of emergency aid for the severely affected survivors of the war and the people in the devastated communities is necessary to enable a normalisation of living conditions and ensure the security of the population in everyday life. The statement can be read here.

Internationally Composed Leadership Bodies and Positions

UEM is a globally active organisation that makes its decisions in internationally composed leadership bodies. In the Council, all three UEM regions are equally represented in its 14 members, including the Moderator and the Youth Delegate. The current Moderator and Chair of the Council is Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara from Tanzania. Since March 2024, the UEM Management Team is being led by Indonesian theologian Dr Andar Parlindungan and consists of four other members from Cameroon, Rwanda, Indonesia, and Germany. Leadership positions in the regional offices and specialised departments are also by principle internationally staffed.