President Kagame to Impose Tax on Churches Amid Growing Concerns of Exploitation
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has hinted at the possibility of imposing a tax on church collections, a bold move aimed at curbing exploitation by evangelical clerics.
Kagame made this statement during his first address after taking the oath of office earlier this week, where he strongly criticised church leaders who, under the guise of religious authority, have been manipulating and exploiting vulnerable citizens for financial gain.
“These unscrupulous people who use religion and churches to manipulate and fleece people of their money and other things will force us to introduce a tax so churches pay tax on the money they get from people,” President Kagame declared.
His remarks underscore the government’s growing frustration with the unchecked proliferation of churches across the country, many of which have been accused of extortionate practices.
The President’s comments come on the heels of a significant crackdown on illegal churches by Rwandan authorities.
According to reports, approximately 8,000 churches have been closed in the country for failing to meet legal and infrastructural requirements.
The closures are part of a broader effort to bring order to the country’s religious landscape, which has seen a surge in the number of Pentecostal churches, particularly those that preach the prosperity gospel – a doctrine that often preys on the poor by promising them wealth in exchange for donations.
Speaking after overseeing the swearing-in ceremony of re-appointed Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente and new members of parliament, President Kagame did not mince words in his condemnation of rogue preachers.
The President vowed to take further action against those who exploit religion for personal gain.
“If truth is to be told, these mushrooming churches are just there to squeeze even the last penny from poor Rwandans, as those who own them enrich themselves,” he said, reflecting widespread concerns about the ethical and moral conduct of some religious leaders in the country.
Kagame also highlighted the dangers posed by certain religious groups, noting that some cult leaders have manipulated and brainwashed followers into engaging in harmful practices, including extreme fasting that has led to deaths.
While such cases have been more prominent in other countries, including Kenya and Uganda, where similar issues have arisen, Rwanda is taking proactive steps to prevent such tragedies within its borders.
The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), responsible for regulating religious organisations, reported that 59.3 percent of the over 13,000 churches inspected in the past month were shut down due to non-compliance with regulations.
Usta Kaitesi, CEO of the RGB, explained that the closures followed routine inspections, during which churches were given ample time to address deficiencies but failed to do so.
“The closure of these places of worship came after routine inspections as per our mandate. We had given these churches ample time to improve, but they didn’t, so we had to shut them down,” Kaitesi told East African Times.
President Kagame’s warning signals a potential shift towards greater oversight and accountability of religious institutions, ensuring that places of worship serve the spiritual needs of the community rather than exploiting them.
