Religious freedom advocates collect signatures to block RFOs proposed policy

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KAMPALA - Advocates for religious freedom have embarked on a countrywide collection of signatures with a view of opposing the proposed policy on Religions Faith Organisations (RFOs).

The RFOs Policy 2023 is a brainchild of the Directorate of the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President.

The policy draft highlights various shortcomings within RFOs such as manipulation, exploitation of followers, loss of property and lives, disunity among believers, increased domestic violence rates, family breakdowns, societal instability, promotion of immorality, and noise pollution.

Proposed changes include mandatory formal training and permits for religious leaders, accountability to the government for all their activities, and permission requirements for establishing worship locations.

However, leaders subscribing to the International Centre for Religious Advocacy and Development (ICRAD), an organization that advocates for the freedom of worship, believe that the policy is wrong as it seeks to control individuals' worship practices.

ICRAD is a multi-denominational organization that represents a wide range of mainstream Christian denominations, such as Protestants, Seventh-Day Adventists, Catholics, Orthodox, and Pentecostals.

During a press conference at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium on May 29, 2024, Simon Ssenyonga, the organization’s legal representative, announced that they have initiated a public petition to collect signatures from church leaders expressing their dissatisfaction with the issue.

“We have been able to traverse over 50 districts across the country in a period of two months and we have been able to gather 10,000 signatures of leaders,” he noted.

He emphasized that the petition will be submitted to the Office of the President, as the policy is being enforced under the jurisdiction of that office.

“The policy says we must please the stakeholders, but they don’t define who the stakeholders are. They are telling you that the RFO Board is the alpha and omega, there is no appeal process. The law also uses a very wide language, which means the law can be manipulated and because of that the law is unacceptable,” he noted.

Reverend Stephen Bamutugire drew a parallel between the proposed policy and the tragic event of 1885-1886 when the Uganda Martyrs were martyred for their unwavering faith.

“What we are seeing shows some degree of oppression, an oppressive spirit that is behind this policy,” he noted.

He stressed that like the Uganda Martyrs who are remembered for dying for their faith, all Ugandans need to stand up against the policy.

According to Pr. Michael Kyazze, the overseer of Pentecostals and Evangelicals, there is an attempt to encroach upon "our rights".

“I think on human rights we do not have a debate. We are watching every step and we are not ready to succumb or bend to any manipulation which is political,” he added.

The ICRAD Director, Wisdom K Peter, emphasized the need for President Yoweri Museveni's intervention to prevent the implementation of the proposed policy as it would infringe on people's freedom of worship.

“Freedom of worship and manifestation is God-given. The role of government and the Constitution is to uphold it not to control it. And therefore, this draft policy should be completely expunged,” he added.

He stressed that the proposed policy is a direct contradiction of the National Resistance Army's (NRA) historical mission of freeing the people of Uganda from domineering ideologies that were perpetrated by the previous authoritarian regimes that caused divisionism based on religion, faith, and beliefs and subsequently perpetuated suppression of the freedom of worship.

“In making their case justifying the need for the policy to regulate RFOs, they refer to vagabond rebel groups like the ADF, Al Shabaab, Kibwetere, Alice Lakwena, and the LRA. It is very clear to these people that RFOs to which 99% of Ugandans subscribe are nothing more than anti-government rebel groups that must be nipped in the bud. It is quite unfortunate that we have elements in government that think of us like that,” he noted.

The former Woman MP for Soroti district, Angeline Osege said there are enough laws already that can regulate any outrageous behaviour whether religious, economic, or political there is no need for such a law.

She said even though the Public Order Management Act came to parliament innocently, it has become an oppressing tool today, especially for politicians.

“This RFO policy is subjective and leaves a lot of room for manipulation, and oppression. As innocent as it may look in the eye, it has many demonic connotations,” she added.