In brief, below are the results of the votes cast during the selection procedures.
- Delegates voted 576 in favor of the Rt. Honorable Rev. Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA .
- Delegates voted 202 in favor of Rev. Lazare BANKURUNAZE.
- Abstention : 3 votes.
- Total voters participated : 781
The 7th ordinary plenary session of the United Methodist Church , Burundi Annual Conference was officially opened on 18th July, 2024 by resident bishop Daniel WANDABULA in Nyabugogo Parish at Gitega in Burundi.
The district superintendent of Gitega district Rev. BANKURUNAZE Lazare on behalf of Gitega district church members and himself welcomed the delegates and distinguished guests who attended and wished them good health while in Gitega.
The legal representative and Dean of Superintendent, Rev.Dr.Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA, after a brief information about church life. He also presented different guests of honor from Rwanda, Uganda, Searra – Leone, Kenya and Zimbabwe who came to share experiences with Burundi Annual Conference delegates during 7th ordinary plenary session of 2024.
Reverend Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA thereafter he invited the resident Bishop Daniel Wandabula to officially open the 7th session of ordinary plenary session of the United Methodist Church, Burundi Annual Conference.
The resident bishop reminded the delegates about the conflicts of the past which lasted for about 12 years and which did not bear any positive fruit for the church.
He thanked the already hopeful sign and insisted on working hard and strengthening reconciliation.
The resident bishop also gave different counseling on how to avoid homosexual issues especially this time where is talked too much in different churches of God worldwide. Among the issues scheduled on day one was to adopt the 7th ordinary plenary session agenda and then nominate through election of a future bishop of Burundi Annual Conference.
The nomination procedures were chaired by the resident bishop where secret ballots were cast and the results put the Rt. Hon. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA in first place with 576 votes while Rev. Lazare BANKURUNAZE was elected with 202 votes out of 781 voters who participated in the nomination process.
There was also afternoon Memorial service led by Rev. Manasse KANYUMAYINZU district superintendent of MUREHE district which closed day one.
It should be noted that before the official opening of ordinary plenary session, the church had also organized a two day workshop aimed at providing training to members of the executive committee in different work sectors.
The workshop started from 16th to 17th July, 2024 about various professionals including the best way to handle budgets and accounting, leadership, learn about the structure of the church, about the Yambassou project, organization of an Episcopal area, the strategic plan and others.