Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has criticized religious leaders who use religion as a cover to enrich themselves at the expense of others.
Speaking to the Rwandan Muslim community on March 25, Kagame said some individuals set up religious institutions solely to serve their own interests, creating barriers, taking property, and demanding wealth from believers.
“You find someone hiding behind a religion, hiding behind a church, setting up something that is only meant to serve their own interests and rob others,” he said.
He warned against allowing a few individuals to prosper at the expense of the community, noting that such abuses have occurred across different faiths and churches.
In December 2025, the Rwandan government moved to shut down several places of worship that failed to meet regulatory requirements.
Kagame Defends Religious Institutions Oversight in Rwanda
Kagame clarified that such practices should not happen in any religion and stressed that regulating religious institutions is not persecution.
“That should not happen in any religion, of whatever kind. That is different from persecuting religions or churches. Putting things in order is not persecution,” he said.
The Rwandan President dismissed allegations that his country is restricting religious freedom, stressing that the government’s role is to ensure faith-based institutions function properly and responsibly.
According to Kagame, religious organizations’ roles include educating, supporting citizens, and providing services in areas such as health and education, without exploiting their followers.
On his part, he explained that the government has put in place guidelines to ensure that religious institutions operate smoothly and effectively.
He reiterated that the measures apply not only to Islam but also to all religions and churches in Rwanda, stressing the broader importance of promoting security, mutual understanding, and development grounded in shared societal values.
Rwanda Moves to Close Thousands of Evangelical Churches
In 2025, Rwanda closed more than 10,000 evangelical churches that failed to comply with a 2018 law regulating places of worship.
The legislation introduced requirements on health, safety, and financial transparency, and mandates that all preachers undergo formal theological training.
President Paul Kagame repeatedly criticized the rapid growth of evangelical churches in the country, questioning their contribution to national development and highlighting concerns over financial misconduct.
Under the 2018 law, churches are required to submit annual action plans showing how their activities align with national values, and all donations must be deposited into registered accounts to ensure accountability.
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