Over 17,000 community mediators receive telephone handsets

{A total of 17,941 community mediators across the country yesterday received phone donations promised by President Paul Kagame on October 18th, 2014 to facilitate communication among co-workers and improve service delivery.}

Distributing the phones which started on March 7th 2016 was completed yesterday in Ngororero district in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnson Busingye.

Busingye said that community mediators have played a vital role in mediating Rwandans since they solve 70% of cases that would be referred to courts of law.
“Since 2004 community mediators have been amicably solving civil cases that would be referred to courts of law. Such mended cases have now reached 70%.

All Rwandans appreciate your efforts,” said minister Busingye addressing to community mediators.

He asked community mediators to be honest, stay committed and devoted, be truthful, impartial, respect themselves, become exemplary and keep secrets for better performance in their duties.

Ntirenganya Jean Baptiste, one of community mediators from Ngororero district who spoke on behalf of 602 mediators lauded president Paul Kagame for having fulfilled the promise of phone donations.

“We appreciate President Kagame for translating his words into actions. These phone donations will help us to improve service delivery and combating corruption,” he said.
Ntirenganya explained they have solved 1236 cases since they were delegated in the new association of community mediators while only 12 cases were referred to courts of law.

Community mediators have however expressed challenges of lacking permanent offices. The governor of Eastern province Cartas Mukandasira promised them that district administration and sectors will collaborate to handle their challenges.