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Rwanda has taken a bold and controversial step by shutting down thousands of evangelical churches across the country. The move has shocked many citizens, especially in a nation where Christianity plays a major role in daily life. The closures are part of a government campaign to enforce a 2018 law meant to regulate places of worship, but critics say the issue goes deeper than rules and paperwork.
According to reports, more than 10,000 churches have been closed for failing to meet the legal requirements set by the government. These include health and safety standards, financial transparency, and proper registration. Many small and fast-growing evangelical churches were affected, leaving worshippers confused and worried about where they will now pray.
One of the most high-profile closures was Grace Room Ministries, a popular evangelical church that used to fill large stadiums in Rwanda three times a week. In May, the government shut it down, sending shockwaves across the religious community. For many followers, the closure came suddenly and without warning.
President Paul Kagame has been very outspoken about his views on evangelical churches. He has openly questioned their role in Rwanda’s development, arguing that many do not contribute meaningfully to society. In a recent news briefing, Kagame said that if it were up to him, he would not reopen a single church.
The president accused some churches of being dishonest and exploiting believers. He described certain religious groups as places where leaders steal from people instead of helping them. Such strong words from the head of state have fueled fear among pastors and church leaders.
The 2018 law that sparked the closures introduced strict new rules. Churches must meet health and fire safety standards, submit annual action plans, and show how their activities align with Rwanda’s national values. All donations must also go through registered bank accounts to prevent misuse of funds.
Another key requirement is that preachers must have formal theological training. The government says this is to ensure responsible teaching and to protect people from false doctrines. However, many pastors argue that this rule unfairly targets grassroots churches that lack resources.
Rwanda is a deeply religious country, with the majority of its population identifying as Christian according to a 2024 census. Since the closures, many believers now travel long distances to find open churches. This has increased costs and made regular worship difficult, especially for the poor.
Some observers believe the real reason behind the crackdown is control. Analysts say the government is uncomfortable with any organisation that gains large influence over the population. Churches, especially popular evangelical ones, can attract thousands of followers and shape public opinion.
Louis Gitinywa, a lawyer and political analyst in Kigali, noted that the ruling party does not like rivals in terms of influence. According to him, when any group grows too powerful, the government reacts quickly. An anonymous government official reportedly shared the same view.
Pastor Sam Rugira is among those affected by the new rules. Two of his church branches were closed last year for failing to meet fire safety requirements. He believes the law mainly targets newer evangelical churches that have rapidly grown in recent years.
President Kagame has also linked churches to Rwanda’s colonial past. He has said that religion was used by colonisers to deceive Africans and weaken their independence. In November, he told citizens that they had been misled for generations.
The closure of Grace Room Ministries deeply affected its followers. Pastor Julienne Kabanda, who led the church, had been attracting huge crowds at Kigali’s BK Arena. When the church’s licence was revoked, many people were left stunned and disappointed.
The government said the church was shut down for conducting unauthorised evangelical activities and failing to submit required financial and activity reports. Attempts to get a response from Pastor Kabanda were unsuccessful, adding to the mystery surrounding the closure.
Some church leaders fear worse is yet to come. One leader in Kigali, speaking anonymously, said the president’s open dislike for churches suggests tough times ahead. He complained that even churches that followed all the rules were still closed.
Others defend the government’s actions by pointing to Rwanda’s painful history. During the 1994 genocide, some churches were used as sites of violence, and religious institutions failed to protect victims. This history still shapes how the state views religion today.
Ismael Buchanan, a political science lecturer at the National University of Rwanda, warned that churches can sometimes be misused. He said they could act as recruitment channels for armed groups like the FDLR, which has roots in the genocide.
Buchanan acknowledged that religion has helped heal many Rwandans emotionally after the genocide. However, he questioned the need for a church every few kilometres while hospitals and schools remain scarce in some areas.
Pastor Rugira believes the government is regulating what it does not fully understand. He argues that instead of shutting churches down, authorities should work with them. This cooperation, he says, would help remove dishonest leaders while supporting genuine ministries.
He also pointed out that many churches rely on donations to survive and struggle to meet strict financial rules. Without guidance and support, compliance becomes difficult, especially for small congregations.
As the debate continues, Rwanda stands at a crossroads between religious freedom and state control. While the government insists it is enforcing the law, many believers feel their right to worship is under threat. The future of evangelical churches in Rwanda remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: faith, power, and politics are now tightly intertwined.
