By KIGALI, Rwanda — The Rwandan government has suspended the operations of forty-three more churches, continuing its crackdown on faith-based organizations that fail to meet legal requirements.
The Ministry of Local Government announced the suspensions following an inspection exercise to assess compliance. These closures add to the thousands of places of worship that have been shut down since the enforcement began.
“Another forty-three faith-based organizations that have been operating from eighteen districts have been suspended due to failure to meet legal requirements,” the ministry stated.
The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) initiated a nationwide operation on July twenty-eighth to enforce regulations against churches lacking proper infrastructure, hygiene standards, or operating illegally. Usta Kaitesi, RGB chief executive, told media on August fifteenth, “As RGB we are not deterred by any effort in the pursuit of having proper standards of places of worship.”
The Association of Catholic Organisations in Africa reported on August seventeenth that more than five thousand four hundred churches had been suspended since the operation began.
Rwandan law requires places of worship to operate in an orderly and secure manner. It prohibits the use of loudspeakers and mandates that all preachers undergo theological training before establishing a church to ensure the safety and tranquility of worshippers.
To register a church, leaders must fulfill numerous requirements set by the RGB, including submitting names and credentials of legal representatives, providing criminal record certificates, and possessing a bachelor’s degree in religious studies or a bachelor’s degree in any field with a valid certificate in religious studies from a recognized institution.
The Rwandan government argues that these regulations are meant to safeguard citizens from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals promising miracles and other life fulfillments.
This recent enforcement represents the most significant action since the two thousand eighteen law regulating places of worship was implemented. When that law was enacted, approximately seven hundred churches were closed.
Rwanda’s constitution guarantees the right to religion and freedom of worship under Article thirty-seven. However, the government maintains strict public policies regulating various aspects of society, including religious organizations.
In recent years, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has expressed concerns over the proliferation of churches, particularly in the capital, Kigali.
The ongoing crackdown has sparked debates about the balance between religious freedom and government regulation in Rwanda. Critics argue the measures are overly restrictive, while supporters maintain they are necessary for public safety and order.
As the enforcement continues, religious leaders and human rights organizations are closely monitoring the situation, assessing its impact on freedom of worship in the country.
