86% of Ugandans profess Christianity, this high percentage implies that Christianity is the predominant religion of the country and that Uganda has numerous Christian temples, especially evangelicals. This strong Christian presence has shaped Ugandan society for decades, influencing culture, family dynamics, and even community development projects led by churches. Because of this, any decision that affects the freedom of worship becomes a matter of national impact, as it touches the daily life of millions of believers.
According to sources, the Ugandan government has made the decision after “Absolute Control in Numbers” training to obtain the right of temples, including religious NGOs working within Uganda. The goal, according to official statements, is to create a system of oversight that allows the government to identify all religious institutions operating in the country and regulate their activities. However, for many citizens and religious leaders, this decision represents a direct threat to the freedom of worship, since it gives the government the power to determine who can or cannot operate as a religious entity.
After this Ugandan government law, more than 12 thousand temples and non-governmental organizations have already been closed, which do not comply with the requirements created by the Ugandan government. These closures have caused deep concern among Christian communities, as many of these temples were small congregations located in rural areas, serving vulnerable populations who depend on the church not only for spiritual guidance but also for food, medical missions, and community support.
Ugandans have stated that the government gave them the freedom to worship, but that they are now depriving them of that right. And that, we are talking about a country where 86% of the population professes Christianity as their religion, and with all this, they are facing a difficult situation. Many believers feel that this measure is contradictory: the government recognizes the importance of religion in the nation, but at the same time places obstacles that are too difficult for small churches to overcome, especially those that do not have legal or administrative resources to carry out the demanding registration processes.
Why is the government closing temples in Uganda? They are closing them because the government has already expressed its rules on the matter, saying that they must register as companies in the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and in the NGO council. For the authorities, this registration ensures that all religious entities operate with transparency, accountability, and legal status. However, the problem arises when these requirements are applied equally to both large denominations with extensive resources and small congregations with very limited means.
For many religious leaders this law is absurd since they do not consider the church as an NGO. Many pastors argue that the church is an institution of faith, not a business, and that placing it under corporate or NGO regulations contradicts its spiritual nature. Furthermore, this type of requirement endangers churches that work independently or that survive solely through donations from their members, without the ability to maintain the bureaucratic structure demanded by the government.
In other countries such as Angola, this type of law has already been created. There, hundreds of churches were closed because they did not meet governmental standards, leading to social tension and strong debates about religious freedom. Uganda appears to be following a similar path, and many fear that this will set a precedent for other African nations where Christianity is also predominant.
As the situation unfolds, Christians in Uganda ask for prayer, wisdom, and international attention. They desire regulations that promote transparency but without suppressing the right to worship freely. For now, thousands of congregations remain uncertain about their future, praying that God opens doors and that the freedom to preach the gospel is preserved.