Healing crusade draws crowds

EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA — Thousands of Christians from Rwanda and beyond over the weekend thronged Cyasemakamba stadium in Kibungo, Ngoma district, to attend Father Obarde Rugirangoga’s crusade. It was a memorable weekend where people with all sorts of ailments got spiritual healing. Father Obarde, is a renowned preacher of the Cyangugu Diocese, and had visited Kibungo Diocese on Sunday, to pray for the sick. When news of his visit broke out, thousands of people largely Catholics from Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda pitched camp at Kibungo parish on Friday. Many of them came along with friends, relatives and in-laws with various ailments to get healing and blessings from Father Obarde- who is also said to be known for his miraculous healing powers. Business boomed in Kibungo town since Friday, due to the sudden upsurge of people - as many of them flocked restaurants and shops, buying food, snacks and drinks. By 10:00 am on Sunday morning, at Obarde arrival, all roads in Ngoma district were jammed with people heading to the venue. Traffic cops were deployed at every corner of the roads in Kibungo to ensure security and control traffic flow to avoid possible accidents. The crusade started with the usual Sunday mass before healing prayers kicked off at about 2:00 pm and went up to about 5:30 pm. During the prayers, various people including the dumb, blind, and the physically disabled claimed that they had been healed. A 49-year-old Louise Uwabyaye, a mother of six who came from Burundi, said that she could hardly walk because one of her legs was paralysed 10 years ago. “I can’t believe what I have experienced today. I can at last walk like other people…Oh God is great praise Him,” she said in her testimony. Another five-year-old boy was brought by his mother Alice Mukaruriza, who said her son was born damn-but received healing. “My only son was born damn and this day is a memorable one in my life,” said Mukaruriza, as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. Like Mukaruriza and Uwabyaye, many other people gave testimonies of how they had got healed of different ailments- which they had suffered for years. Father Obarde, called on Rwandans to step up the fight against genocide ideology. Ends