In 1929, a wealthy Ugandan government official named Simeon Nsibambi experienced a spiritual crisis. Despite his status and education, something was deeply wrong in his soul. He was, by his own account, a nominal Christian whose faith had no power.
Then he met a humble hospital worker named Blasio Kigozi.
God Sparked Revival Through Prayer
Kigozi, working at Mengo Hospital, had been deeply impacted by reading about the Welsh Revival. He began to pray for similar awakening in Africa. When he met Nsibambi, the two became unlikely friends—the government official and the hospital orderly—united by a hunger for genuine spiritual life.
Together, they began to pray. And God met them.
Nsibambi experienced what the revival would call "being broken"—a deep conviction of sin followed by the joy of forgiveness and new life in Christ. The transformation was visible. His colleagues noticed. His family noticed. People began asking what had changed.
Birth of East African Revival
This was the spark of the East African Revival.
From these humble beginnings in Buganda (Uganda), the movement spread to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond. At its heart was a simple but radical practice: public confession of sin and testimony of Christ's saving power.
The "Balokole" (the saved ones) as they came to be called, would greet each other with "Tukutendereza Yesu"—"We praise you, Jesus." Their meetings were marked by spontaneous testimony, deep repentance, and joyful singing. When sin was confessed, the response was not condemnation but celebration: "The blood of Jesus cleanses!"
The movement challenged tribal divisions and racial hierarchies. African and European believers confessed to one another as equals. Social barriers crumbled before the cross.
Legacy of Spiritual Transformation
Blasio Kigozi died of fever in 1936, just as the revival was spreading. But the fire he and Nsibambi had kindled would not be extinguished. The East African Revival continued for decades, producing leaders like Festo Kivengere and transforming millions of lives.
It began with two men willing to be honest about their need—and a God who answers those who seek Him with their whole heart.
