RGB meets church leaders to discuss the new regulations governing FBOs
On Friday 21st March 2025, Rwanda Governance Board in partnership with Rwanda Inter-religious Council (RIC) had an engagement meeting with different church leaders to discuss the regulations relating to additional requirements for faith-based organizations.
In this meeting, Judith Kazaire, the Head of Civil Society and Political Organisations Department presented to the participants the key changes in the new regulations emphasizing the rationale of the regulations and how they will help to enhance good leadership and the management of churches’ properties.
In her address, the RGB CEO Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard urged the church leaders to have participation in the implementation of the new regulations and in promoting the transparency and accountability in Faith Based Organisations.
Dr. Uwicyeza said that RGB will put in place all means through online system that will facilitate Faith Based Organisations to get services related to getting all required documents including registration and compliance certificates.
As indicated in the new regulations, A faith-based organisation applying for legal personality must submit to RGB additional documents including a certificate issued by the District or the City of Kigali confirming that the building designated for worship activities adheres to the legal construction requirements applicable to the specified location.
Also, a document confirming the exclusive use of the building for worship activities; and a document confirming the conduct of all religious rituals, ceremonies and practices exclusively within the building of the organisation designated for worship activities.
Other preconditions are a proof of payment of a nonrefundable service fee of Rwf2 million as a requisite for the legal personality application, paid to the national treasury; a notarised declaration of exclusive representation of the legal representative and his or her deputy certifying that they do not serve as representatives of any other organisation registered in Rwanda; and an equivalence certificate or degree in theology obtained by the legal representative and his or her deputy from foreign higher learning institutions, issued by the competent authority.