Rwanda has launched what many are calling one of Africa’s most sweeping religious reforms, and it’s causing a serious debate.
President Paul Kagame has shut down over 10,000 evangelical churches and several mosques for failing to comply with a 2018 law regulating places of worship. 
The 2018 law introduced stricter rules on health and safety standards and financial transparency in churches and mandated that all pastors and religious leaders should hold accredited theology degrees before leading a congregation.
What’s Behind the Crackdown?
According to the government, the aim is to curb exploitation, regulate informal ministries, and ensure that religious leaders are properly trained and accountable. They also add that too many unregistered churches have been operating without supervision, thereby conducting their service sometimes in unsafe buildings and with questionable financial practices.
Supporters say President Kagame’s decision is long overdue.
Reacting to the news of the closure, @Freezie had this to say: “When people question why religious leaders should have theological education, I think of it this way. Most of us would not trust someone to perform surgery just because they claim to be called to be a doctor without proper training. We value preparation when it comes to our physical health.
Spiritual leadership deserves the same seriousness. Theological education does not replace a calling. It refines it, strengthens understanding, and improves the quality of teaching. Since spiritual leaders shape people’s worldview and decisions, it is reasonable to expect proper training. It should be seen as a way to prepare leaders to serve better, not something to resist.”
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President Kagame’s Strong Words
President Kagame himself has been blunt in his criticism of the rapid growth of evangelical churches across the country.
Speaking at a news briefing, he said:“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t even reopen a single church.”
He also questioned the role of some religious institutions in Rwanda’s development:
“In all the development challenges we are dealing with, the wars, our country’s survival, What’s the role of these churches? Are they also providing jobs? Many are just thieving; some churches are just a den of bandits.”
President Kagame has also described the church as a relic of the colonial period.
In November 2025, when speaking about religious bodies, he said:
“You have been deceived by the colonisers, and you let yourself be deceived.”
What Happens Next?
For now, thousands of worship centres remain closed as religious organisations work to meet the new requirements. According to some news sources, many closed churches are seeking accreditation and upgrading their facilities to comply with the law.
Whether this reform will strengthen or strain religious accountability, It’s clear that Rwanda’s redefining the relationship between faith and state.
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