Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the federal government’s forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism.
Kagame made the remarks while defending the federal government’s closure of 1000’s of non secular institutions under a 2018 law regulating churches.
More than 10,000 churches have reportedly been shut down under these regulations, which require preachers to undergo theological training, and mandate that every one churches meet health, safety and financial reporting standards, AFP reported. The law also requires that religious buildings be soundproofed to limit noise pollution and that annual motion plans align with national values.
Grace Room Ministries, an Evangelical church that had been drawing massive crowds to Kigali’s BK Arena thrice every week, was also closed in May for failing to supply required documentation. Authorities said it engaged in unauthorized Evangelical activities and did not submit annual financial and activity reports.
President Kagame said he wouldn’t reopen even a single church if the choice were his, questioning the relevance of such institutions to Rwanda’s survival and citing their limited role in addressing the country’s challenges.
At a news briefing last month, he said, “In all the event challenges we’re coping with, the wars, our country’s survival … what’s the role of those churches. … Are additionally they providing jobs? Many are only thieving.”
The government requires that every one church donations undergo registered accounts and that every church submit annual plans showing alignment with national values.
Pastor Sam Rugira, whose two church branches were shut down last 12 months over fire safety violations, was quoted as saying that the principles had mainly affected newly established Evangelical churches.
The pastor said the federal government was “regulating what it doesn’t understand” and may help churches meet requirements as a substitute of shutting them down.
Some churches that fulfilled all government conditions remain closed.
A pastor in Kigali was quoted as saying that the president’s “open disdain and disgust” for churches “spells tough times ahead.”
Political analyst Louis Gitinywa told the newswire that the ruling party resists any organization that amasses public influence. A government official, speaking anonymously, expressed the same view.
Muslim leaders in Rwanda have also raised concerns, particularly over bans on the general public call to prayer.
While Article 37 of the Rwandan Constitution provides for freedom of faith, enforcement of the 2018 law has varied, with some Muslim clerics stating they plan to challenge the restrictions.
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