Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has revealed that an assessment carried out between February 24 and 28, left 20 faith-based organisations’ legal personality revoked. “The faith-based organisations whose legal personality was revoked were requested to submit an inventory of their properties to ensure their handling in accordance with the law. Some faith-based organisations did not adhere to this request,” the RGB Chief Executive Officer, Doris Uwicyeza Picard, told The New Times. ALSO READ: A look at 8 key requirements for faith-based organisations in Rwanda “Many of these faith-based organisations obtained assets (such as land and buildings) through fundraising from church goers. Faith-based organisations might also have creditors. We are overseeing the disposal of assets to ensure that they are not disposed of in a way that would dispossess these stakeholders,” she noted. ALSO READ: RGB revokes legal status of five faith-based organizations For closed faith-based organisations, she said, “the compliance assessment is continues. Any faith-based organisation found to be non-compliant will always have its premises closed until it addresses issues noted.” The reopening of faith-based organisations is done gradually and in accordance with the laws and regulations in place. There are ongoing engagements with faith-based organisations' leaders to ensure that they comply with the requirements across the board. ALSO READ: Closure of non-compliant faith-based organisations: What are the essential requirements? “A registered religious organisation or church should strive to have all its branches compliant. Some of those who have complied have had their faith-based organisations reopened and others are still under review to ensure compliance,” said Uwicyeza. According to the Minister of Local Government, Patrice Mugenzi, an inspection of faith-based organisations that began in July 2024 found out that there was a lot of disorganisation, leading to the closure of 9,800 out of the nearly 14,000 faith-based organizations in Rwanda.
