The constitution provides for freedom of religion and the government generally respects this right in practice. Religious groups must register with the government. Some small storefront churches have been denied registration but have been encouraged to reapply.
From 1990 to 1994, Rwanda experience a horrific civil war between Hutus and Tutsi resulting in the massacre of more than 800,000 Tutsis. When the Tutsis subsequently defeated the Hutu regime, millions Hutu refugees temporarily fled the country fearing reprisals. Order has since been restored and the country had its first elections in 1999.
The government has welcomed and works closely with numerous international religious and missionary organizations that have been helping to provide relief and development in Rwanda.
For a period of time however, night meeting of religious groups were banned because such meetings had been used in the past to plan attacks. Because some nuns and clerics had been implicated in the genocide of 1994 there has been some residual bad feeling toward the Catholic Church that has gradually been dissipating. Still there have been some attacks on Catholics by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) troops and Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD).
Furthermore, mass killings perpetrated by the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God in neighboring Uganda in March 2000, have caused the government to watch closely for religious groups that may be prone to such violent or destructive behavior.
2003 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Rwanda
Rwanda's religious reflections worldWide Religious News 4/01/04
Search Amazon.com for books on religious freedom in Rwanda