Rwanda of 1884 assigned the territory to Germany as part of German East Africa, marking the beginning of the colonial era. The explorer Gustav Adolf von Götzen was the first European to significantly explore the country in 1894; he crossed from the south-east to Lake Kivu and met the king. The Germans did not significantly alter the social structure of the country, but exerted influence by supporting the king and the existing hierarchy and delegating power to local chiefs. Belgian forces took control of Rwanda and Burundi in 1916, during World War I, beginning a period of more direct colonial rule.
Presbyterian Church in Rwanda Presbyterian Church in Rwanda The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda has around 300'000 followers. The Church was founded in 1907. This year, Germans from the Bethel Mission accompanied by Tanzanians come to Rwanda. After the departure of the German missionaries at the end of the First World War, they were replaced by Swiss and Belgians and later Dutch missionaries. Until 1957 the Church activities were concentrated in three main locations: Kirinda, Rubengera and Remera. The Church became independent in 1959 and changed its name to the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda. They abandoned the term "Evangelical" as they did not want to