Rwanda cracks down on churches

Edicts handed down by the Rwandan government present Christian churches with two options: Comply with state regulations or shut down, voluntarily or under force.

For many churches, compliance would mean abandoning core religious convictions or facing various forms of persecution. Historically, such restrictions have given rise to underground churches, which have begun appearing across Rwanda as some leaders declare, “Christ is Lord over all, and therefore Lord over the church and state.”

One such leader is Pastor Imiza (name withheld for safety), who heads a small but growing congregation and warns of the edicts’ implications. “This act feels like a targeted restriction on religious freedom, especially since the closures disproportionately affect evangelical and independent churches,” Imiza said.

In 2018, Rwanda introduced regulations requiring pastors to hold at least an undergraduate degree in theology, churches to have a minimum of 1,000 registered members, and congregations to meet infrastructure and parking standards.

Regulations escalated in March 2025, imposing financial obligations, extensive documentation, and stricter approval processes for church activities. In June 2025, the government further limited public gatherings and restricted foreign preachers. Public assembly now requires permits, and foreign ministers face extensive vetting, accreditation, and ideological scrutiny.

“Many see this as a strategy to isolate Rwandan churches from global evangelical influence, thereby consolidating state control over religious life in the country,” Imiza said.

Unofficial penalties also target attendees of house gatherings. The government has pressed churches to adopt gender quotas and ordain female ministers, actions Imiza says contradict the convictions of many congregations. Financial oversight rules demand 20% of resources for internal use and 80% for external operations—an unsustainable burden for most congregations, he said.

Digital ministry has not escaped scrutiny. “There is greater oversight of churches operating online. Restrictions are rarely public but enforced through intimidation and surveillance, an attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty,” Imiza said.

Sources say that since the implementation of these laws, more than 10,000 churches have closed permanently.

At a November 2025 press conference, President Paul Kagame commented on the closures: “If it were up to me, I would not allow any church to re-open. The church plays no role in development, in the survival of the country, nor in resolving war issues. Does the church give jobs? Running a church is scamming and cheating people!”

Kagame further criticized Christianity itself: “The church is a place full of bandits. I have no mercy for any church. You have been deceived by the colonizers, and you let yourself be deceived!”

Rwanda, like several African nations, is highly influenced by post-colonial political theory, which applies critical ideology to rid social structures of Western practices perceived as oppressive. This anti-Western and anti-Christian stance has facilitated partnerships with countries such as China.

“In politics, Rwanda’s ruling party, the RPF, has strengthened ties with the Communist Party of China, signing agreements on governance models, ideological alignment, and capacity building,” Imiza said. “This alliance often prioritizes control over individual freedoms, especially religious freedom.”

Imiza’s congregation has begun seeking alternative means of gathering that preserve their fellowship without relying on clandestine meetings. “Our gatherings are marked by deep fellowship, fervent prayer, and strong devotion, as believers cling to their faith despite looming risks,” he said.

“Members live with the threat of exposure, financial penalties, or imprisonment. Still, their courage stands as a testimony that the gospel cannot be chained, and Christ’s church continues even under oppression,” Imiza added.

Many Africans have grown accustomed to statism—the belief that civil government is the ultimate authority in life. Statism assumes an atheistic framework, portraying the state as sovereign, omnipotent, and omniscient, deserving of worship and unquestioning obedience. The current situation in Rwanda offers both a warning and an opportunity for Christians in the country—and beyond—to reflect on a robust theology of the state, the church, and their proper relationship.

“In this difficult season, the church has many pressing needs. It needs courageous leaders and congregants, resources to meet infrastructure demands, safe spaces for gathering, biblical training, and wisdom to discern good from evil and how to live under persecution,” Imiza said. “Above all, the church needs to be reminded of Christ’s unfailing promises—that He will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”