A cross is seen on the roof of a church. (Image file)
In Summary:
- Rwanda has closed over 4,000 churches for not complying with health and safety regulations.
- The closures mainly affect small Pentecostal churches and a few mosques.
In the past month, Rwanda has shut down more than 4,000 churches due to non-compliance with health and safety regulations, including insufficient soundproofing.
The closures have predominantly impacted small Pentecostal churches and some mosques, with a number of these establishments operating in unconventional locations such as caves or along riverbanks.
“This is not being done to prevent people from praying but to ensure the safety and tranquillity of worshipers,” stated Minister of Local Government Jean Claude Musabyimana in a statement to state media.
This action marks the first significant enforcement of a law enacted five years ago, which aims to regulate the proliferation of places of worship.
The legislation mandates that worship facilities operate in an organized manner within safe environments and prohibits the use of loud public address systems.
Additionally, it requires all preachers to undergo theological training before opening a church.
When the law was initially adopted in 2018, approximately 700 churches were closed.
At that time, Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed that the country did not require a large number of houses of worship, suggesting that such numbers were more suitable for developed economies capable of sustaining them.
President Kagame, who recently secured a fourth term in office with 99% of the vote, governs a society where critics claim there is limited freedom of speech.
The current crackdown on churches is being executed by local urban authorities in collaboration with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).
Authorities emphasize that they are taking a stringent approach since churches have had five years to comply with the regulations.
“The government has taken a stance against the proliferation of houses of worship. We still see cases of dilapidated structures and unhygienic conditions,” RGB chief Usta Kayitesi told the New Times news website.
Minister Musabyimana added that some of the closed churches operated in tents, putting worshippers at risk. To date, 4,223 places of worship have been closed, including 427 that were situated in caves, according to the privately owned Kinyarwanda language news site Igihe.
While the majority of Rwandans identify as Christians, many also practice traditional rituals. Pentecostal churches, often led by charismatic preachers who claim to perform miracles, have seen significant growth across Africa in recent years.
Some of these churches attract thousands of worshippers each Sunday, but many are small, unauthorized structures.