The government of Uganda is developing a policy that will make it compulsory for religious leaders to account for offertory and other contributions made at places of worship in the country.
The national policy for Religious and Faith Organisations (RFOs) is being prepared by the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity (DEI) in the office of President Yoweri Museveni.
Discussions about the new policy to monitor finances in religious organizations started in 2016.
The policy is aimed at enhancing collaboration between religious organisations and the government.
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In addition, it will help promote accountability, and enhance social service delivery and economic development.
According to Alex B Okello, the permanent secretary at the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, the policy will ensure transparency in dealing with money at prayer centers.
“The policy just says let there be transparency in any religious institution. How you put that transparency measure in your institution is up to you,” said Okello.
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“Religious leaders said we want to tax their money. No! We want those resources that believers give to be used properly,” he added.
Okello made the remarks on March 6, during a meeting with religious leaders from Lango Sub Region in Lira.
“Government taxes taxable income. A giving in church or mosque is not an income, it is developmental money,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye noted that the policy aims at encouraging religious leaders to work with the government in promoting development in the country.
Mwesigye explained that the policy will help identify corrupt leaders in places of worship.
His sentiments were echoed by Sheikh Ibrahim Okello, who emphasized that the policy will help put in place structures of dealing with corrupt religious leaders.
