Kagame warns of church tax to fight religious exploitation in Rwanda

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. (Courtesy/Reuters)

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has announced that he may introduce a tax on church collections to address what he describes as extortion and exploitation by some evangelical leaders.

Kagame made the remarks during his first address after being sworn in for another term this week, where he expressed strong criticism toward church leaders who misuse religion to manipulate and extract money from followers.

"These unscrupulous people who use religion and churches to manipulate and fleece people of their money and other things will force us to introduce a tax so churches pay tax on the money they get from people," Kagame said, according to The New Times.

Rwandan authorities have recently closed down approximately 8,000 churches across the country, citing illegal operations and failure to meet infrastructural requirements.

According to Kagame, many of these churches target the poor, using the guise of religion to enrich their leaders.

"If truth is to be told, these mushrooming churches are just there to squeeze even the last penny from poor Rwandans, as those who own them enrich themselves," he added.

The rise of Pentecostal churches in Rwanda, many of which promote prosperity gospel, has drawn more impoverished individuals.

Kagame pointed out that these leaders sometimes go to extreme lengths, leading people to harm, as seen in cases where followers were manipulated into dangerous practices.

"We have seen cases of these cult leaders even leading people to their deaths, through manipulation and brainwashing them to starve to death and do all sorts of other things. It has happened in other countries," Kagame noted, referencing incidents from neighboring nations.

Rwanda's concerns are echoed across the region. In Uganda, the government recently announced plans to regulate religious practices following reports of extortion by clerics.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the courts are currently trying Paul Mackenzie, accused of convincing his followers to engage in deadly fasting.