Faith-Based Organisastions
RGB is responsible to register, grant legal personality to faith-based organisations and to monitor whether their operations comply with the law. RGB also has the powers to request for explanations, suspend registration certificate or revoke the legal faith-based organisations for non-compliance with the law.
As provided by the Constitution, the Rwandan State is a secular republic and discrimination based on religion or faith is prohibited and punished by the law. The right to religion and freedom of worship is guaranteed by Article 37 of the Rwandan Constitution of 2003 amended in 2015 and is exercised in accordance with the law. Therefore in accordance with the law governing faith-based organisations in Rwanda, faith-based organisations are classified in the following categories;
Organisation: a faith-based organisation commonly known as religious denomination.
Ministry: a group of people affiliated to an organisation that carries out development-oriented activities;
Umbrella: a union of organisations with legal personality;
Forum of umbrellas: union of umbrellas with legal personality
Process for starting a Faith-Based Organisations
Faith-based organisations are only allowed to operate in Rwanda when they have legal personality.
The following are common procedures for starting and registration of FBOs
1. Application letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of RGB;
2. A letter issued by the District authorities agreeing collaboration with the organization and also certifying that the church construction meets standards of that area;
3. Notarized statutes
4. The names of the Legal Representative and his or her Deputy Legal Representative, their responsibilities, full address and their biographical information (CVs)
5. The non-criminal records certificate of the Legal Representative and of his or her Deputy Legal Representative;
6. A statement certifying that the Legal Representative and the Deputy Legal Representative were appointed in accordance with the organisation’s statutes (Declaration)
7. The Legal Representative should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in religious studies or any Bachelor’s Degree with a valid certificate in religious studies issued by a recognized institution;
8. A brief notarized document explaining the doctrine of the organization (Statement of faith);
9. Notarized minutes of the General Assembly that established the organization, approved its statutes and appointed members of the organs;
10. An annual action plan of the organization with its source of budget;
11. A document of partnership issued by one of the umbrellas of own choice;
12. Proof of payment of a non-refundable fee of 300.000 Frw (payment is done online via www.e-imiryango.rgb.rw
Application documents should be submitted by email at fbolp@rgb.rw
Download specific registration requirements for each FBOs category