Religious leaders and officials from the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) met last week in Kigali to discuss new regulations governing faith-based organizations. A key point of contention was the requirement for these organisations to gather at least 1,000 signatures from local residents in the district where they wish to operate.

The new regulations, issued by RGB Chief Executive Officer Doris Picard Uwicyeza on March 7, mandate that any faith-based organisation seeking to collaborate with a district or the City of Kigali must submit a list of at least 1,000 community members who support its activities in that area.

The list must include their signatures, national IDs or passports, and phone numbers.

Judith Kazaire, Head of the Civil Society and Political Organisations Department at RGB, clarified that this signature requirement applies to both newly established and existing faith-based organizations. It is a prerequisite for obtaining an official collaboration letter, which is necessary for any legal operation within a district or the City of Kigali.

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Kazaire stressed that the requirement is designed to encourage community participation.

"When faith-based organisations introduce development projects, they do so for the benefit of the entire community. Citizens should have a say in the establishment of churches and mosques," she said.

Religious Leaders cite challenges in meeting the requirement

Jolly Murenzi, President of the National Unity Fellowship of Pentecostal Christian Churches of Rwanda, expressed concerns about the feasibility of obtaining the required number of signatures.

"Getting 1,000 signatures is not easy," Murenzi said. "Convincing a Rwandan to sign for you without an established relationship is a challenge. This could create significant obstacles for many faith-based organisations."

Kazaire reassured religious leaders that the regulations are intended to enhance operational standards and ensure organisations contribute to national development goals.

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"These regulations aim to ensure that faith-based organisations fulfill their spiritual mission while also supporting community welfare in alignment with the country’s vision," she explained.

Addressing community reluctance to sign

Another issue raised was the reluctance of some residents to provide their signatures, particularly if they are not members of the faith-based organisation seeking approval.

To address this, Kazaire suggested that organisations engage local government officials and use community platforms, such as Umuganda (monthly community service activities), to inform residents about their activities and garner support.

For organisations operating in the City of Kigali’s districts—Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge—Kazaire clarified that they must seek collaboration directly from the city authorities, as the districts themselves do not have separate legal standing.

To streamline the process, she advised legal representatives of faith-based organisations to determine how many branches they intend to establish in a district before applying for a collaboration letter.

This letter, once obtained, can authorize the establishment of multiple branches, provided all other requirements, including adequate theological qualifications for staff, are met.