Religious organisations in Eastern Province have said they appreciate the closure of substandard churches in the past few months, saying it turned out to be helpful to them than they thought.

They expressed gratitude on Thursday afternoon during a meeting between provincial leaders and representatives of religious institutions operating in eastern region, which took place in Rwamagana District.

Pastor Jean Damascene Nkurunziza, representing the Methodist Church in Gatsibo District, said some people started churches pursuing other interests other than spiritual.

"It started with most Christians saying that the government had other intentions (in closing the churches), but today, we sit and say ‘thank you,” he said.

Eastern Province had 4,296 churches and mosques. 4,185 were inspected and 2,066 closed down for failing to meet standards.

To date, 470 of these have been allowed to reopen after fulfilling requirements, and the officials call on the others to do their best to fulfil what is missing.

The most affected churches in the Eastern Province were in Bugesera where 619 were closed though 31 of these have been allowed to operate again.

Pastor Damien Mugiraneza, head of ADPR Gahini in Kayonza District said that based on what he had been observed; church representatives that had been reluctant to have standard churches eventually changed minds.

Pastor Shema Vincent, Lutheran church Kayonza, Mukarange, as religious person whose church was closed, said they are thankful to the government that encouraged them.

"Our church was over 16 years old and it was closed when new construction was still at foundation phase, but now we have already put the roof on.” he revealed.

"We are pleased, we are not sad at all, now we can see a bright future,” he added.

Hubert Ngerero, representing Adventist church in Rwamagana, said the government’s decision to suspend some churches had not surprised them at all.

"It was no surprise for us to see the government working with us to clean our churches, even the Bible says that when there is a good leadership in the country, the Church becomes perfect too,” he said.

"Of our 16 churches that were closed in Rwamagana, nine have reopened and we are ready to fix the remaining flaws,” he added.

Eastern Province Governor Fred Mufulukye welcomed the feedback from the clerics.

"It made us very happy to see how everyone who spoke was thankful to what had been done,” he said.

The Governor told teams inspecting the standard of churches that:

"The job is not over, when you have responsibility, you do not tire,” also adding that the teams should remain functional, and ready to reopen any church fulfilling the requirements. Let this partnership continue,” he said.

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