KIGALI - Regina Pacis Catholic church in Remera, yesterday, held a special memorial mass in honour of the late Bishop Aloys Bigirumwami, the first African Bishop of Rwanda, Burundi and Congo.

The service brought together over 400 Christians and various religious leaders. In 1952 Bigirumwami became the 6th Bishop in Africa and was also elected as the first African Bishop of the Belgian colonies.

"It has been 25 years since our brother left us. He made a remarkable contribution to this nation and left a legacy that can never be forgotten. He built the first schools and hospitals in Rwanda,” said Bishop Phillip Rukamba, who led the mass.

He also mentioned that Bigirumwami started the first science school for girls and sent them abroad for further studies in the 1960s.

"He suffered a lot during the regime of former President Kayibanda. He never kept quiet especially when it came to issues of racial discrimination. He spoke and fought against any sort of segregation. He educated Rwandans, Congolese and Burundians without preferential treatment,” said retired Bishop Rutembesa.

Sylvia Rugina, the brain behind Bigirumwami’s annual memorial services, said that the bishop was like a parent to everyone and led an exemplary life.

"He selflessly loved and served Rwandans. He spread the gospel of Christianity to Rwandans. Although he is gone, we shall keep remembering him,” Rugina said.

Rugina expressed her gratitude for the fact that the congregation turned up in large numbers and hoped that the turn up will be even bigger during the next commemoration.

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