Kiwanuka Kiryowa
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Ugandan government has announced that Born-Again churches (Balokole) will no longer be required to register as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) if they are only involved in spiritual work. This new directive brings an end to the law that has been in place for more than 60 years.
This move was confirmed in a letter dated July 9, 2025, from Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa. As per the letter, Kiwanuka Kiryowa instructed the NGO Bureau and Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to stop demanding that Pentecostal churches register under the NGO Act if they are not running other projects.
The letter was addressed to Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre as well as Bishop Josua Lwere, who leads the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches. Additionally, other government offices were also notified.
Pastors from different churches have since welcomed this decision. Pastor Robert Kayanja called it “the greatest good news Pentecostals have been waiting for over 64 years,” and added that the change now gives Born-Again churches the same freedom of worship that other religions already enjoy.
“We were being treated like second-class citizens,” he added.
Furthermore, Pastor Moses Odongo also shared his joy. He said that the government’s move proves that worship is not a business and should not be regulated as one.
“This is a great relief. I thank God and the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pastor Kyazze, who heads the Coalition of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches, praised the government for respecting freedom of worship.
As per the new arrangement, only church-run businesses like schools, hospitals, or charity organizations will still be required to register as NGOs. Purely spiritual ministries are now free to operate without that requirement.
