HUYE - The Governor of the Southern Province, Fidele Ndayisaba, has reassured religious leaders in the province, that their freedom of worship will not be denied, despite reports that some religious sects were dissuading their followers from participating in government programmes.

Ndayisaba made the assurance last week while meeting the clergy from Butare Anglican Diocese, Huye District.

Recently, a breakaway faction of the ADPR church in the province, was accused of dissuading its followers from holding the national identity cards and boycotting the forthcoming elections.

However, the Anglican clergy at the meeting distanced themselves from that kind of teaching and appealed to the local leaders not to victimize their church on those grounds.

"The Constitution of Rwanda provides total freedom of worship to all legally recognized churches. All churches have freedom to congregate for prayers,” said Ndayisaba.

The Bishop of Butare Diocese, Nathan Gasatura, urged fellow clergy to promote unity and reconciliation in their respective parishes. He also advised them to educate their followers on the government development programmes.

"Some pastors never sensitise their flock about government programmes, fearing that they might be branded politicians. But you cannot be labelled a politician simply because of disseminating constructive messages,” Gasatura said.

Also present at the meet were, Francois Uhagaze, the Huye District Mayor, Brig. Gen. Mubarak Muganga, the regional RDF commander and Chief Supt. Faustin Ntirushwa, the Regional Police commander.

Ends