Senior medical officials have urged religious leaders in Rwanda to tackle the issue of conspiracy theories and rumors among their flock which impede the progress in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of the misconceptions around the pandemic that were outlined include rumors that Covid-19 is just a political hoax or that Covid-19 vaccine is within accomplishments of the apocalypse and a satanic agenda, or that the vaccine causes infertility, among others.

This was said during the launch of the five-day workshop dubbed "Accelerating faith leaders engagement in Covid-19 response in Rwanda”, which is to convene faith leaders under the Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH) and the Ministry of Health.

The training programme was organized by World Relief Rwanda in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).

According to Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga, the state minister in charge of primary healthcare, religious leaders are vital players in fighting against the pandemic.

"People go to these religious establishments voluntarily, which means they listen and obey their messages. 90 per cent of Rwandans are part of these communities and they are among those people who are infected by Covid,” he said.

He urged them to ensure their congregants adhere to guidelines during their gatherings but also remind them that they have to be vigilant even during their day-to-day activities. 

"Even though different activities have resumed, it is important to remember that Covid-19 is still a threat,” said Mpunga.

Usta Kaitesi, the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board said; "We found some people gathered for prayers in prohibited places, violating Covid measures, and curfew hours.”

Our rules and regulations are self-explanatory, she said, "We will guide them but also give punishments when necessary.”

She said that those who go to pray in prohibited places do not owe it to some places of worship being closed, since such practices were detected even before the pandemic.

Mufti Salim Hitimana, Vice Chairperson, RICH said; "Covid-19 fears no country, religion, race nor gender, when one is not cautious enough, it might take away your life.”

"We have been spreading awareness messages and we now look forward to doing more in educating people with such rumors to adhere to the guidelines put in place in order to have a win over this pandemic.”

RICH is made of religious organizations which are grouped in six confessional groups namely; the Episcopal conference of Rwanda, the Province of the Anglican Church in Rwanda.

And also, the Protestant Council of Rwanda, the Evangelical Alliance of Rwanda, Rwanda Muslim Community, Fédération des Églises Protestantes Réformées au Rwanda (FEPR).

Moses Ndahiro, Country Director of World Relief Rwanda said they started with RICH because "it is one organization that holds these faith-based organizations together."

He pointed out that they plan to also include the Jehovah's Witnesses community.