Religion is a huge part of African culture. Perhaps because most African countries are largely underdeveloped, the church has become a place where people go to get answers and help.

However, this has also led to the proliferation of places of worship, most of which, critics argue, are more transactional than spiritual, paying little or no attention to the safety and security of their members.

Christianity is the dominant religion in Rwanda. The main denominations in Rwanda are Catholicism and Protestantism, with about 45 per cent of the population identifying as Catholic and 35 per cent as Protestant.

Recently, the Rwandan government led by President Paul Kagame did the unthinkable. The government clamped down on over 5,600 churches, including 100 cave churches. And the reason? The failure to comply with safety and health regulations, such as poor soundproofing, and the transactional nature of many places of worship.

Rwandan media outlet The News Times said the move is part of a two-week nationwide operation by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), which began on 29 July.

The majority of the affected faith-based organisations, according to RGB Chief Executive Usta Kaitesi, lacked basic infrastructure and proper hygiene and safety standards, while several others were operating illegally.

“This is an ongoing nationwide operation for those churches that remain non-compliant with the law. As RGB we are not deterred by any effort in the pursuit of having proper standards of places of worship. The idea is that people should understand that these are not healthy ways of worship.

PT