Religion is deeply ingrained in African culture. Churches often serve as places where people seek answers and support. However, this has also led to a significant increase in the number of places of worship, many of which, according to critics, are more focused on financial gain than on spiritual guidance, with little regard for the safety and security of their congregants.
Christianity is the dominant religion in Rwanda, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the main denominations. Approximately 45% of the population identifies as Catholic, while 35% are Protestant.
Recently, the Rwandan government, under President Paul Kagame, took an unprecedented step by shutting down over 5,600 churches, including 100 cave churches as a result of non-compliance with safety and health regulations, including issues like poor soundproofing and the transactional nature of many worship centers.
According to reports, this action is part of a two-week nationwide operation led by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), which began on July 29.
RGB’s Chief Executive, Usta Kaitesi, explained that most of the affected churches lacked basic infrastructure, proper hygiene, and safety standards, with many operating illegally.
Kaitesi emphasized that this ongoing operation aims to ensure that places of worship meet legal standards and do not put worshippers’ lives at risk. She questioned why people should endanger themselves by worshipping in unsafe environments when, according to Christian belief, God is omnipresent.
A law enacted in Rwanda in 2018 mandates that places of worship must operate in a safe and organized manner. It prohibits the use of loud public address systems and requires all preachers to have theological training before opening a church, aiming to protect the safety and peace of worshippers.
This current crackdown is the largest since the 2018 law was introduced. At that time, 700 churches were closed. President Kagame has stated that Rwanda does not need such a high number of houses of worship, arguing that this is more appropriate for wealthier nations that can sustain them.
Despite his recent re-election with over 99% of the vote, Kagame’s leadership is often criticized for its lack of freedom of speech. The government remains firm in its stance against the unchecked growth of places of worship, although, according to Kaitesi, issues with dilapidated structures and poor hygiene persist.
While Pentecostal churches run by charismatic pastors have proliferated in Rwanda, attracting large crowds with miracles and prophecies, many of these churches are poorly constructed and lack proper planning permission.
