Rwanda Wins Praise Across Africa for Taxing Tithes and Shutting Down Churches
Several Africans have praised Rwanda for considering taxing church offerings and tithes as a measure to curb exploitation by self-proclaimed pastors and prophets.
As of this report, the Rwandan government had already closed down 8,000 churches for failing to meet infrastructure standards and legal requirements.
Rwanda to Conduct Nationwide Church Inspections
According to a statement from the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), inspections will be conducted at churches across the country. These inspections are intended to ensure that pastors and prophets possess the necessary academic qualifications and that churches are properly registered. Non-compliant churches will be closed.
Here is the full statement from the RGB:
The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, is conducting an inspection to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing faith-based organizations.
The inspection focuses on verifying that denominations and prayer houses have registration documents issued by RGB, letters of collaboration with the district when a branch is opened, and that prayer houses meet legal requirements (building codes) for their location. It also checks if the leaders hold the required academic degrees and certificates in Theology at both the organizational and parish/branch levels.
Where this inspection finds that certain FBOs are not complying with the legal requirements and regulations governing faith-based organizations, they will be closed.
Relevant authorities will continue to collaborate with religious leaders to promote transformational development while adhering to the laws and regulations governing faith-based organizations and ensuring that prayer houses/buildings meet legal standards.
Rwanda Wins Praise Across Africa for Taxing Tithes and Shutting Down Churches
After the statement was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @AfricaFactsZon, Africans applauded the Rwandan government for seeking to protect its citizens against hustler prophets. This move has been praised by many Africans, who have observed how some pastors and prophets have amassed great wealth at the expense of vulnerable believers. Here are some of the reactions:
@kwachiffu:
This churches should be taxed . Just look around and see in Kenya ,Nigeria ,south Africa and Uganda apart from business men and politicians the richest people are the men of the cloth. Now religion is being used to swindle cash from believers in Africa which is wrong
@ministerTP__:
I like that, they should also deal with fake Nigerian Fake Pastors
@JackM_Theegreat:
A good move, churches have been used by politicians to squander proceeds of corruption in the name of donations.
We can only admire Rwanda for having selfless leadership. One day, we will have a president like Kagame. What a man!
Vote wisely in 2026.
Indigo Tryol only a bitter PF idiot like you doesn’t know and understand the Freedom of Assembly right under Zambian Constitution. Only a PF fool believes that closing churches is a sign of wisdom. The truths remains that Closing churches is a dangerous undertaking which can easily annoy the unseen owner of those churches. Not all churches are fake ba PF loser imwee. Yes we shall vote wisely as always.
Zambezi provinces always vote 99% widely for their UPND regardless!!!
90 %of churches in zambia are fake..fake like pf
We already have one you Defunct TuPF criminal
Vote wisely vote for HH7,in 2026/31
We are voting extremely wise in 2026 HH with his united party for national development nothing else indigo. We shall never again vote for patriot for individual development. Iyee chikala ichili alelila till 2031
Comparing PK & HH? How long has Paul Kegame ruled Rwanda?
Sometimes we better to reason..
Kagame is right, the tuntemba churches are too many and too many fake prophets cheating the masses. Every Jim and Jack wants to be a pastor why? The reason is simple “get rich faster “. The gospel of Jesus is no longer preached in church, if they do it will be less than 5 minutes. More time is spent on telling the congregants to tithe and donate more and more money for them to receive blessings, so they are told. The preacher becomes richer and richer. There more preachers than labourers in our poor economy. Everyone wants to get rich faster without working. Praying for miracle money every day really? It shall not work.
Who in the Bible had a degree in Theology? He might have made a name for himself but on this one, he is wrong.
The Word of God should be void of such politics.
Accolades of men don’t mean the approval of God. Posterity will prove what kind of decision this is…
The Bible warns us of the fake preachers, and here they are in great numbers. Should people keep quiet in the name of ” don’t touch the anointed “. Being a preacher doesn’t mean God’s anointement. The point here is there is mushrooming of fake churches and pastors stealing from the poor. Some of these pastors are super rich owning 7 aeroplanes. What is this for? They tell that we are poor because we don’t tithe and donate all our belongings to the pastor. I don’t remember in the bible Jesus telling people to donate all their life savings.