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Rwandan President Paul Kagame has announced a proposal to introduce a tax on church collections, responding to growing concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable populations by some religious leaders.
Kagame highlighted the rapid increase in churches across Rwanda, many of which have been accused of manipulating the faithful to enrich their leaders.
In his statement, Kagame condemned the practices of these churches, stating, “These mushrooming churches are merely extracting the last penny from poor Rwandans, enriching themselves at the expense of those who can least afford it.” The President’s remarks reflect a broader concern within the government regarding the role and accountability of religious institutions in society.
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The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has already initiated a crackdown on non-compliant churches, leading to the closure of over 59% of the more than 13,000 churches inspected recently. According to RGB CEO Usta Kaitesi, these closures were necessary due to the churches’ failure to meet regulatory standards despite being given ample time to do so.
Kagame’s proposed tax is seen as a critical step toward ensuring that religious institutions serve their intended purpose providing spiritual guidance and support rather than exploiting their congregations for financial gain. The move is expected to spark significant debate within Rwanda and could influence how religious organizations are regulated across Africa.
