Out of 1,351 churches operating in Kigali, 714 of them have been closed down for failure to meet the standards.
Local leaders have closed over 355 churches out of 699 churches operating in Gasabo district, in Nyarugenge 203 churches out of 300 have been closed while out of 352 churches operating in Kicukiro, 156 of them were closed.
The closure which started two weeks ago is in line of harmonizing the operations of religious groups according to Rwanda Governance Board. The move is being carried out by respective urban district authorities in partnership with the Rwanda Governance Board.
The closed places do not meet basic infrastructure, hygiene, safety standards and had issues related to their legal status according to the officials.
In the recent press conference, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the chief executive of RGB said that the government needs effective operations among Religious groups operating in the country.
“Some churches conduct their worship services in shoddy and unclean structures that may harm people’s health and safety. Some are causing noise pollution and some are giving misleading sermons. This should not continue,”Shyaka said while addressing the press in Kigali.
Rwanda Governance Board has so far drafted a new law to govern FBO’s operation. The new law is expected to be effective as soon as possible not beyond March.
