Govt frees Born Again Churches from mandatory NGO registration
Pastor Kayanja, who was party to the November 20, 2024, meeting with the Attorney General, said that this is the greatest good news Pentecostals have been waiting for over 64 years.
Kiwanuka Kiryowa, the Attorney General. (File photo)
By John Ricks Kayizzi
Journalists @New Vision
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Government, through the Attorney General, has directed that Born Again churches no longer have to register as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Churches were previously governed under the Non-Governmental Organisations Act, 2016, which mandates the NGO Bureau to register and maintain an up-to-date register of all NGOs in Uganda.
“You should cease the demand that Pentecostal churches that carry out only spiritual activities register under the NGO Act, pending further guidance,” reads the letter in part dated July 9, 2025.
It further directs that the NGO Bureau and the Uganda Services Registration Bureau (URSB) should refrain from demanding that churches register.
The letter was signed by Kiwanuka Kiryowa, the Attorney General is addressed to Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Center, and Bishop Josua Lwere, the General Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda.
“Subsequent to the meeting he held with pastors representing Born Again churches last year, I briefed the President, Gen. Yoweri Museveni on the same and await further guidance,” the Attorney General further stated.
Pastor Kayanja Born Again Churches can now have the freedom of worship as it is in the constitution, without any legal huddle. (File photo)
The letter was copied to the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Deputy Attorney General, Principal Private Secretary to the President, Executive Director, NGO Board, URSB Registrar General and the Deputy Solicitor General.
Pastors react
Pastor Kayanja, who was party to the November 20, 2024, meeting with the Attorney General, said that this is the greatest good news Pentecostals have been waiting for over 64 years.
“We are so grateful to President Yoweri Museveni for having kept his word, the First Lady and the NRM government and also the Attorney General, for having pursued this issue concerning the body of Christ,” he said, adding that Born Again Churches can now have the freedom of worship as it is in the constitution, without any legal huddle.
He said that finally, people can worship God without having to go through the NGO Board and experiencing the rush hour every one to five years, and filling so many documents.
“The Anglican, Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox churches are not required to go through all this pain. But finally, this is the real freedom of worship, courtesy of our thoughtful leaders. Pastor Kayanja called this a milestone, since “when other religions want to worship God or start a church or do whatever they want to do, they don't go through this rigorous process. It was maligning us and turning us into second-class citizens.”
Other spiritual leaders that New Vision talked to hailed the Government for its foresight, saying that Ugandans cannot say that they are completely free to exercise their spiritual rights when still faced with legal huddles.
Pastor Moses Odongo, the General Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, confirmed that he attended the meeting with the Attorney General and he appreciated the view that spiritual matters were at the hearts of many Ugandans, and should not be tampered with.
“This is a great relief to churches, since they are not business ventures. Our humble request that we be allowed to serve our Lord without any huddle and I thank God that it has been respected by Government,” he said.
He, however, said that church established initiatives such as schools, hospitals and foundations can fall into the category of NGO’s and register to meet the legal requirement.
Pastor Kyazze, the head of the head of the Coalition of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches, commended Government for appreciating the fact that the right of worship by citizens of Uganda is derived from the constitution.
“Churches are peaceful and have for many years offered spiritual healing to many Ugandans. This should not be restricted because of a law or ban. This was long overdue and we appreciate the authorities,” he said.