Pastor Julienne K. Kabanda, the founder of Grace Room Ministries, has issued a strong public warning to followers and the general public, urging them to beware of impersonators using her name across social media platforms to mislead people during a turbulent period for the ministry.
In an official statement released on May 13, 2025, Pastor Julienne clarified that she only operates two personal accounts; a Facebook profile under the name Julienne Kabirigi and an Instagram account using the handle @pr.juliennekabanda. She emphasized that any other accounts purporting to represent her are fake and potentially harmful.
“I take this opportunity to inform the general public to beware of impersonators on different social media platforms that are using my name to mislead people,” Pastor Julienne stated. “I request you to be vigilant at all times.”
The warning follows the recent revocation of legal personality for Grace Room Ministries by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) over non-compliance with national regulations. In a public notice issued on May 10, 2025, RGB stated that the ministry had been engaging in prayer-related activities that deviated from its officially registered objectives as an interdenominational organization. RGB emphasized that all faith-based organizations must operate strictly within the scope of their approved mission, warning that any deviations may result in legal action
Despite this administrative setback, the ministry continues to enjoy deep emotional support from its followers. A middle-aged woman who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity described the impact of Grace Room on her spiritual life:
“The ministry has helped me reconnect with my spiritual being and my faith. Even my daughter now attends the worship services. In the name of Jesus Christ, may the devil be defeated and we overcome whatever bad is on the way of praising the Lord. I hope the issue the ministry is facing is settled sooner than later.”
She added that despite living in Masaka, she regularly found time to attend prayer services a few times each month.
Grace Room Ministries had recently gained prominence through large prayer and worship sessions held occasionally at BK Arena in Kigali, where evening gatherings attracted thousands of worshippers. These events often featured emotional singing, testimonies, and collective prayer, elements that drew people of all backgrounds.
One such attendee, Patrick Niyonzima, a young adult who described himself as “not really a religious person,” told us: “Coming to these sessions to connect with people focused on the same thing, prayer and faith was starting to make me believe in some kind of higher power.”
Although the ministry’s legal status remains under review, Pastor Julienne’s statement aims to protect her followers from confusion and misinformation during this uncertain period. Her call for vigilance serves not only as a precautionary measure but also as a clear indication that the Grace Room community remains engaged and resilient, despite the challenges ahead.
As the situation continues to develop, the Rwanda Governance Board has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing compliance across the sector, emphasizing that all faith-based organizations have a responsibility to maintain lawful conduct and uphold the integrity of their operations.