Ninth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Since the announcement by the government of Uganda of its intention to enact a policy/law about regulating religions and Faith based organisations, there have been contrasting responses from those this policy intends to regulate. The traditional religious groups especially the Moslem community, Anglican Church of Uganda, the Roman Catholic Church and generally all those who subscribe to the Inter-religious council of Uganda have welcomed the State’s proposal. On the other hand, the proposal has met both stiff and liberal minded resistance from both the born again churches and relatively newly founded religious faiths and groups. This is partly so due to the historical relationship between the State and Religious institutions which has been characterised by uncertainty at one time and flowering at another. This paper analyses this historical relationship, showing how this influences the reactions of Religious institutions to State’s attempt to provide a regulatory framework over them. The paper uncovers power struggles between and among born again churches as a roadblock to state control.