RWANDAN President Paul Kagame’s recent remarks dismissing churches and religious worship have ignited a heated international controversy, with critics accusing him of attacking fundamental religious freedoms while supporters defend his stance against exploitation by religious leaders.
During a press meeting on November 27, 2025, when asked about the closure of approximately 10,000 churches, Kagame made sweeping statements about religious institutions that have drawn international condemnation.
According to accounts circulating on social media, the president stated: “If it were up to me, I would not allow any church to re-open…The church plays no role in development, in the survival of the country, nor in resolving war issues. Does the church give jobs? Running a church is scamming and cheating from people!”
He reportedly continued: “The church is a place full of bandits. I have no mercy for any church. You have been deceived by the colonisers and you let yourself be deceived!”
When addressing concerns about remaining churches becoming overcrowded, Kagame allegedly said, “To solve the issue of overcrowding, let’s close them all! We will close the ones that we allowed to remain open, and as for the people, let them pray from their homes.”
The president also reportedly told Rwandans, “Go cultivate your lands, go raise your animals. As for prayer, if you need to, pray over the phone!”
Religious leaders have responded forcefully. Reverend Coleman issued a direct challenge to the president, stating: “Mr Kagame, the right to worship, to open a church and to congregate does not come from you, it is a God given right to every human being – it is a gift to humanity.”
Coleman continued: “Thank you for testifying before the whole world that you are the man who has stolen the rights of Rwandans, but it will not end well with you. Like every thief, God will hold you accountable for stealing Rwandans’ freedom.”
Citing Christian scripture, the reverend added: “Christ said, ‘I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL.’ You are here today, but one day you will be gone, and God’s children will congregate again soon in all freedom and liberty!”
Critics on social media platform X have warned that Kagame’s words “should alarm every Christian, every human-rights defender, and anyone who believes in freedom of worship,” arguing this represents “state hostility toward Christianity and an escalating effort to control and silence faith communities.”
Another critic wrote: “Such statements should awaken our conscience. Faith is not a luxury — it is a fundamental right. It is crucial for Africans, whether believers or not, to stand up and protect essential freedoms in the face of any form of authoritarianism.”
However, supporters have vigorously defended the president’s position. One Rwandan wrote: “In Rwanda, we have more factories and businesses than churches! That is where our miracle lies. Our freedom of assembly is in the workplace. Our freedom of worship is with our families. Our Hallelujah is in our pockets, our bank accounts, our ability to feed our families.”
Another supporter dismissed the criticism as manipulation, claiming statements were “built on distortion and deliberate manipulation of President Kagame’s words,” asserting he “did NOT mock Christians” but rather “called out fake preachers who exploit” people.
A different perspective came from a user who wrote: “Pres Kagame is charged with responsibility of all, not some, so encouraging corruption & abuse of citizens is just dereliction for a lawmaker, there’s nowhere it is written people must be sold fake hope.”
Critics point to the closure of thousands of churches in recent years, with many forced to spend substantial sums upgrading facilities to meet government requirements, only to remain shuttered despite compliance.
Questions remain about the scope of closures, with one observer asking: “What types of churches have been closed? Have Anglican, Catholic and traditional churches been closed? Have mosques been closed?”
The controversy has attracted international attention, with calls for the global community to address what critics characterise as systematic religious repression in Rwanda.
