The project was launched on January 7, 2026, during the fifth memorial of Father Ubald Rugirangoga, with the foundation stone laid for the center, which aims to continue spiritual guidance and promote unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

Ibanga ry’Amahoro, initiated by Father Ubald Rugirangoga, has become a key place for prayer and inner peace, welcoming over 17,000 visitors every month from across Rwanda and beyond.

The foundation-laying ceremony was led by Bishop Edouard Sinayobye of the Cyangugu Diocese, alongside Western Province Governor Ntibitura Jean Bosco and other local and international church leaders.

Bishop Sinayobye explained that the idea for the Unity and Reconciliation Center emerged from the faithful themselves, especially those visiting Ibanga ry’Amahoro, who expressed a strong desire to continue healing the wounds caused by Rwanda’s difficult history.

Father Ubald Rugirangoga passed away on January 7, 2021, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, USA, due to complications from Covid-19.

During his life, Father Ubald was widely known for his spiritual work aimed at helping Rwandans live in peace and fostering reconciliation after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

To preserve his legacy, the Cyangugu Diocese initiated the construction of the Unity and Reconciliation Center, which will serve as a hub for teaching and practicing forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation.

The Catholic Church emphasizes that the center will not only serve as a memorial but will also function as a learning space, helping visitors of Ibanga ry’Amahoro become ambassadors of peace, unity, and reconciliation in Rwandan society.

The architectural plans for the center were finalized in 2025 with input from professional architects and the faithful. The building is expected to be large and symbolic, with the cross of Jesus Christ as its central feature.

Churchgoers and other visitors of Ibanga ry’Amahoro have expressed enthusiasm and hope for the completed center, with many pledging their support and contributions to its construction.