Religion and economic exploitation in Uganda

Abstract

This dissertation critically examines the necessity of regulating the operations of churches in Uganda while upholding the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. It seeks to assess the adequacy of current legal frameworks and propose balanced mechanisms that prevent the misuse of religion, particularly where it serves as a conduit for economic exploitation. The study is premised on increasing public concern over unregulated religious institutions engaging in exploitative practices under the guise of faith, particularly targeting economically vulnerable populations. It addresses the legal, institutional, and policy gaps that allow such practices to persist and draws from both domestic and international jurisprudence and scholarship to inform practical reform strategies. The research employed a qualitative methodology, relying on in-depth document analysis of legal texts, academic literature, comparative case studies, and policy reports. It examined the international and regional human rights instruments that safeguard religious freedom, followed by an analysis of Uganda’s domestic legal framework and its enforcement capacity. The study further investigates regulatory models from other jurisdictions—Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria—where religion is safeguarded but also subjected to oversight to deter economic abuse. Findings indicate that while Uganda has made constitutional provisions for religious liberty, there is no effective legal mechanism to oversee the financial and organizational operations of churches. This legal vacuum has allowed certain religious actors to operate without transparency or accountability, resulting in cases of manipulation, financial fraud, and psychological coercion. The lack of institutional coordination, minimal public oversight, and the political sensitivity surrounding religious regulation have further hindered efforts to introduce reform. The study recommends a multi-pronged approach to regulation that includes legal reform to establish clear operational guidelines for religious institutions, the introduction of a registration and reporting system for faith-based organizations, and the creation of an independent interfaith regulatory body. It also emphasizes public education on religious rights and protections, and the need for stakeholder collaboration among the state, civil society, and religious leaders to ensure that reforms are participatory, contextually appropriate, and non-discriminatory.