Bishop John RUCYAHANA was born on the 14 th November 1945 and lived in Rwanda until the 1959 when he went into exile because of the civil war in Rwanda. He met Jesus Christ in Uganda at the age of twenty-one and became a lay evangelist. He did his Primary Studies in three primary Schools Butete, Kinoni and Gitare in Bukamba District. He completed his secondary Studies in INYEMERAMIHIGO College at Gisenyi and in Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Rt Reverand John Rucyahana, Bishop of Shyira Diocese Rwanda

He became a teacher in KINYARA Primary Shool From 1965 to 1967 In 1968-1971 :He worked in an evangelical enterprise"Community Developpement"in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese From 1972-1974: He joined Mukono Theological College After his course he was ordained priest in the Anglican Church in 1974 and, after serving as a parish priest, he became rector of St. Paul's Cathedral in Hoima, Uganda, during the military rule of Idi Amin. From 1980 to 1982 He joined Bishop Tucher Theological College for MAKERERE University Diploma in theology. In 1983 he became an archdeacon, overseeing many churches and pastors in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese In 1988 he attended Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania and graduated with MAR degree. He returned to Uganda in 1991 to serve as The Director of Planning ,Development and Missions Coordinator in Bunyoro Kitara diocese until 1997, when he was elected Bishop of Shyira diocese within the Episcopal Church of Rwanda . Bishop John is married to Harriet RUCYAHANA and they are blessed with e five children: Grace, Patrick, Hope, Joy, and Andrew Bishop John started an orphanage in Uganda known as Mustard seed babies home in Bunyoro. It enjoys the pride of having been the best serving babies home nationally at a national festival held in Hoima · He was on the national board of planning and Development of the Church of Uganda for 9 years and was the chairman of the project committee. · He started a heifer project in Bunyoro which provided not only milk but also provide financial support to poor families. The Bishop is the current Chairman of the board Prison Fellowship Rwanda(PFR) with Unity and partnership with Prison Fellowship International in which Bishop John was elected as a counselor. With Prison Fellowship in Rwanda Bishop John has continously struggled for healing,Unity and reconciliation. Many prisoners are confessing their sins and receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior. Bishop John testified his belief against the recent contracting issue of homesexuality in the Episcopal Church of America where by some members welcomed the idea of homesexuality. Bishop John begun the spiritual fight against homosexuality and protected Christians of St Andrews in USA who were being persecuted for their true faith . For that in the 1998 Lamberth Conference he proclaimed it to all Anglican Bishops at the conference. Thus, there is a newly christian faith community known as " Anglican Mission in America" supported by both the Episcopal Church of Rwanda and the Episcopal church of South East Asia. Bishop John after being consecrated, he elevated the status of the diocese both spirituallyand physically. He has improved infrastructures by building new schools and renovating the old ones. The old guest house has got a new wing and contributes a lot to the church and country at large. Shyira hospital has been re-opened and new Cathedral has been built and will be inaugurated soon. Bishop John works with different boards in Rwanda and on the international scenes.