The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has revoked the legal status of five Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), according to a public notice issued on Friday evening. The affected organizations are Rwanda Victory Mission, Pentecostal Out-Reach Church, International Missionary Society-Seven Day Adventist Church Reform Movement, Eglise De L’heure Prophetique Du Septieme Jour, and Communaute Methodist Unie International.
RGB cited non-compliance with laws, poor governance, and internal conflicts as the key reasons for this decision. This move is part of an ongoing effort by RGB to regulate religious institutions in Rwanda. In 2024, the board closed 15 churches and mosques in Kigali for failing to meet safety standards and violating noise pollution regulations. In September 2023, it had suspended 12 FBOs nationwide for governance issues. The board has also previously closed several churches for not complying with hygiene and health standards, with over 80 churches closed or suspended in the past few years.
RGB’s actions are based on Law N° 72/2018 of 31/08/2018, which mandates that all FBOs register with the board and comply with national laws. Rwanda currently has over 1,000 registered religious organizations, with RGB intensifying its monitoring and oversight efforts in recent years, focusing on compliance with safety regulations, financial transparency, and good governance practices.
The board has urged remaining FBOs to adhere strictly to the law and maintain proper governance practices. The affected organizations have the option to appeal the decision or reapply for registration once they address the identified issues.
