The Rwandan government has closed thousands of evangelical churches, including Grace Room Ministries, once known for filling large stadiums three times a week, citing non-compliance with a 2018 law regulating places of worship.
The law, introduced to enforce health, safety, and financial standards, also requires all preachers to have formal theological training. Authorities say churches must submit annual action plans demonstrating alignment with “national values” and channel all donations through registered accounts.
President Paul Kagame has repeatedly criticized the proliferation of evangelical churches, questioning their role in national development. “In all the development challenges we are dealing with, the wars… our country’s survival — what is the role of these churches? Are they also providing jobs? Many are just thieving… some churches are just a den of bandits,” Kagame said in a briefing last month.
Observers suggest that beyond regulatory concerns, the closures are part of a broader effort to control influential organizations. “The ruling party bristles when an organization or individual gains influence,” said Louis Gitinywa, a Kigali-based lawyer and political analyst.
The clampdown has forced many Rwandans to travel long distances to attend services, despite Christianity being the dominant faith according to the 2024 census.
Pastor Sam Rugira, whose two church branches were closed last year for failing fire safety regulations, said the rules primarily target newer evangelical churches that have mushroomed in recent years. “The government is regulating what it doesn’t understand,” he said, calling for collaboration to help churches meet the requirements.
The closure of Grace Room Ministries shocked many, particularly as Pastor Julienne Kabanda had been attracting massive crowds at the BK Arena in Kigali. The government cited unauthorized evangelical activities and failure to submit annual activity and financial reports as reasons for revoking the church’s license.
Some analysts link the crackdown to Rwanda’s historical context, including the 1994 genocide. Ismael Buchanan, a political science lecturer at the National University of Rwanda, noted that while churches have helped heal post-genocide trauma, an unchecked proliferation could divert resources from hospitals and schools.
Amid the closures, some church leaders express concern over what they describe as the president’s “open disdain and disgust” for places of worship, warning that even compliant churches are vulnerable under the current regulations.
