Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE following her swearing-in ceremony on December 12, 2024, Justice Mukantaganzwa highlighted her key priorities: tackling the backlog of cases, promoting alternative dispute resolution, and combating corruption within the judiciary.

Upon assuming office, Mukantaganzwa stressed the importance of understanding the judicial system’s structure and personnel, with a goal to address the inefficiencies that hinder the timely delivery of justice.

{{Tackling the case backlog}}

One of the most pressing challenges facing Rwanda’s judicial system is the backlog of cases. Mukantaganzwa acknowledged this issue as a major barrier to delivering swift and fair justice.

To address this, she has proposed a categorization of cases to better understand their nature and complexity.

“For example, in civil cases, we can assist the parties in reaching a settlement. Even in criminal cases, some can be resolved through mediation, which can help speed up the justice process,” she said.

The Chief Justice believes that mediation, especially for less serious offenses, could significantly ease the burden on courts.

Mediation, according to Mukantaganzwa, is an effective tool in ensuring that both parties come to an understanding, even if the case is resolved outside the courtroom.

She emphasized that the primary goal is to “resolve the issue and have both parties reconcile,” which would ultimately lead to positive outcomes for society as a whole.

In her view, resolving cases outside the courtroom would not only save time but also reduce the overcrowding in prisons—a problem that is intricately linked to the backlog of cases.

“Not all cases are of the same nature or weight,” she pointed out. Some cases, she noted, are simple and could be resolved much quicker without formal court proceedings.

By promoting alternative dispute resolution methods, Mukantaganzwa believes that a significant portion of disputes could be settled without overwhelming the judicial system.

{{Strengthening public trust and fighting corruption}}

A major theme of Mukantaganzwa’s vision is cementing public trust in the judiciary. The Chief Justice highlighted that one of the core reasons behind public dissatisfaction with the judicial process is the perception of corruption.

To counter this, she emphasized the need for a transparent and unbiased judiciary.

“Corruption is an individual problem, not an institutional one,” Mukantaganzwa asserted.

She made it clear that any judge or judicial employee found involved in corruption would face strict legal consequences, including criminal prosecution and removal from office.

The aim, she explained, is to foster public confidence by ensuring that the judiciary remains free of corruption.

In her view, the fight against corruption must go hand-in-hand with a broader effort to educate the public about the importance of trust and fairness in the legal system.

“Ultimately, the responsibility is to build confidence in the judiciary,” she added. “We must continue to foster trust by ensuring the justice system is transparent, unbiased, and fair.”

{{Leveraging technology}}

While technology has been playing a role in streamlining processes across various sectors, Mukantaganzwa recognizes that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for the judiciary.

She expressed openness to using technology where it can assist in speeding up case processing but cautioned that technology should not be seen as a magical fix for the backlog.

“The backlog is more related to our mentality as Rwandans,” she explained.

In her view, many cases brought before the courts could be resolved through other means, such as community mediation or restorative justice, without the need for lengthy legal battles.

{{Upholding judicial integrity}}

The Chief Justice also emphasized the critical role of integrity in the judiciary. In her message to those working within the judicial system, she urged them to remain firm in their commitment to fair and transparent justice.

Mukantaganzwa highlighted the national implications of judicial decisions and the importance of making choices that promote unity and public trust.

“We must always ask ourselves, ‘Do the citizens perceive this decision as fair?’” she remarked. For her, the law is the ultimate guide, and decisions must be rooted in it.

She believes that the judiciary’s decisions have far-reaching consequences, and therefore, judges and court personnel must always ensure their actions align with the law, ensuring fairness and justice for all.

The Head of State was speaking at a welcome cocktail held at the Kigali Convention Centre on the evening of December 12, 202.

“I want to thank from the bottom of my heart FIA and Mohammed bin Sulayem [FIA President] and his team for putting all this together and doing Rwanda proud to be able to host you. We appreciate that and I hope for all the time you are going to be here, you are going to enjoy your stay.”

The welcome cocktail was held at the Kigali Convention Centre, attended by conference participants, high-profile guests, and leaders from various sectors in Rwanda.

Among those present were Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League, and renowned comedian and actor Steve Harvey.

Before the cocktail reception, President Kagame, together with FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, unveiled the first-ever FIA Level 2 Affordable Cross Car produced in Africa, an innovative project developed through collaboration between Rwandan polytechnic students, the FIA, and the Rwanda Automobile Club.

Kagame expressed his gratitude to the FIA for supporting the project, highlighting its role in facilitating knowledge transfer and encouraging the development of local talent and skills in various creative fields.

Kagame remarked that the initiative was not just important for Rwanda, but for the entire African continent, as many opportunities had long been overdue.

He acknowledged that while Africa is rich in talent, access to opportunities remains a major challenge.

Kagame emphasized that Africa should not only focus on exporting talent but also become a place where people from other parts of the world are attracted to come, contribute, and help develop the continent’s potential.

On his part, Sulayem praised the close collaboration between FIA and Rwanda in organizing the General Assembly, highlighting that it was the first time the event had been hosted with the head of state personally welcoming the attendees.

He expressed his gratitude to President Kagame for the trust placed in the FIA and thanked all attendees for traveling from around the world to participate.

The evening also celebrated the work of Rwandan artists who created pieces commemorating the FIA’s 120th anniversary. Ishimwe Gad, a student from Rwanda Polytechnic-Kigali College, was awarded first prize for his artwork, which will be displayed at the FIA headquarters in Paris, France.

From December 10 to December 13, 2024, Rwanda is hosting the FIA General Assemblies, which will culminate in the award ceremony at the BK Arena on the evening of December 13.

The signing ceremony was held during the 2024 FIA General Assemblies in Kigali.

The UAOA campaign highlights the need for collective action among governments, technology platforms, and sporting organizations to ensure safer digital spaces for athletes, fans, and stakeholders.

At the signing, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that their presence in Rwanda for such an important moment in the FIA’s calendar is a testament to the strength of this nation, in particular its growing influence in motorsport.

“We are aligned on our values and shared goals across key sectors such as innovation, sustainability, and road safety, and I look forward to our continued partnership. The future of motorsport in Africa, and in Rwanda, is bright,” he noted.

Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Richard Nyirishema noted that the step aligns with Rwanda’s values of inclusivity and accountability.

“We are proud to join the ‘United Against Online Abuse’ campaign and contribute to fostering a safer digital environment in sports,” he stated.

The President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem arrived in Rwanda on Monday to attend the federation’s General Assembly, scheduled for Friday, December 13, 2024.

Since then, he has participated in various activities including engagement with young girls at the BK Arena for the “Girls on Track” program welcoming over 100 young women from schools across Kigali.

The girls took to the track in karts for the first time as well, challenging themselves on the simulators, trying their hands at different sporting challenges.

On Thursday, Sulayem along with President Paul Kagame unveiled the first-ever FIA Level 2 Affordable Cross Car produced in Africa at Kigali Convention Centre.

This project was developed in collaboration with Rwandan polytechnic students, the FIA, and the Rwanda Automobile Club.

American comedian and television host Steve Harvey Harvey also attended the event, marking his second visit to Kigali in one month.

This project was developed in collaboration with Rwandan polytechnic students, the FIA, and the Rwanda Automobile Club.

The event, held on Thursday December 12, 2024 at Kigali Convention Centre also saw the presence of President Paul Kagame and the President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Harvey’s visit coincides with the ongoing General Assembly of the FIA, which will conclude on Friday, December 13, 2024. This marks his second visit to Kigali, following his first trip in November 2024.

During that earlier visit, Harvey engaged in discussions with President Kagame on potential investment opportunities in Rwanda’s events and entertainment sectors.

At the time, Harvey took to social media to share his admiration for Rwanda and President Kagame, saying, “We had the pleasure of sitting and meeting His Excellency my brother President Paul Kagame. I was truly inspired by his strength and humility. A testament to Rwanda’s resilience and acts of forgiveness.”

Known for his work on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, and his long-running role as the host of Miss Universe, Harvey’s career spans decades.

From his stand-up comedy days in the 1980s to his rise in the 2000s with The Original Kings of Comedy, he has become one of America’s most beloved personalities.

The awards were presented during the EAC Regional Hackathon held in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the 7th Annual Secretary General’s Forum.

The event focused on fostering collaboration for regional growth and integration, under the theme “Towards a Resilient and Fully Integrated East Africa.”

The hackathon attracted over 1,000 innovative solutions, particularly targeting sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, environmental protection, trade, digitalization, and financial services.

Projects presented by the innovators tackled critical issues related to regional economic integration. Each of the eight winning projects, four led by women and four by youth, was awarded €15,000 to help accelerate their impact.

Among the winners was Niyonkuru Kevin from Burundi, founder of SPOTA Company, and Cirhuza Birhaheka Onesphore from DR Congo, who runs AGRIMOD SARL.

Kenya’s Tayba Hatiym of BAUS Taka Enterprise and Rwanda’s Pacifique Niyorurema, who runs Fresco Fruits, were also recognized for their innovative contributions.

Somalia’s Mohamed Osman Abdulkadir, representing Greenlife Agribusiness LTD, and Anok Athor Deng from South Sudan, behind Future of Family Planning, were among the recipients.

Additionally, Faith Kuya from Tanzania, who founded SafeSip Limited, and Munyasa Hellen of Uganda’s Helton Traders Limited also received the award.

During the event, EAC Secretary General Veronica M. Nduva praised the hackathon as a testament to the region’s commitment to inclusive development.

She emphasized that women and youth are the driving forces behind innovation and economic resilience, noting that the hackathon was not just about competition but about fostering collaboration, learning, and growth.

Uganda’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, commended the EAC for its leadership, stressing the importance of collaboration in unlocking the potential of youth and women for regional prosperity.

Rwanda’s Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation highlighted the significance of such platforms in empowering the region’s youth and women, noting that the EAC continues to lead by example in fostering economic integration and innovation.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary, Abdi Dubat, spoke about the critical discussions that took place, which illuminated both the challenges and opportunities within the region.

He expressed confidence that shared commitment and collaboration would guide the path to a resilient, integrated East Africa.

Mr. Marius Weist, GIZ’s Component Lead for Organizational Development and Outreach, further emphasized the importance of empowering women and youth to help achieve EAC’s economic goals.

He praised the participants for their creative solutions to the region’s challenges, emphasizing that GIZ’s support would continue to foster an inclusive economy for all.

The forum concluded with several key recommendations aimed at advancing regional integration, including removing barriers to the free movement of goods and services, enhancing youth representation in policy-making, and boosting digital infrastructure in rural areas to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The two-day conference that started on Thursday, December 12, was organized by the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) in partnership with Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) under the theme: “Towards a digital tax administration: Lessons learnt and directions for reform.”

Tax experts delved on adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their systems.

Antoine Sebera, the Government Chief Innovation Officer at the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), emphasized the transformative role of AI highlighting Africa’s rapid digital transformation, with governments leveraging technology to bridge economic disparities, foster inclusion, and enhance public administration by streamlining bureaucratic processes and building trust.

In Rwanda, significant progress has been made in digital governance, with all essential government services now accessible online. The country aims to achieve universal access to e-government services by 2029.

Despite the advancements, Sebera said challenges persist in leveraging technology for tax administration. He observed that fragmented and incomplete data hinder accurate tracking and assessment of digital transactions, necessitating secure data-sharing mechanisms and interoperability. Additionally, deploying advanced tools for monitoring, analyzing, and enforcing tax compliance, he said, requires technological expertise and infrastructure.

“Building capacity in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity is essential in overcoming these obstacles. Particularly, AI has a very big potential to revolutionize digital tax administration and governance in low-income countries,” Sebera said.

“AI can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax systems. For example, AI-driven tools can help identify patterns of tax evasion, optimize resource allocation and provide real-time support to the taxpayers,” he added.

He called for international partnerships with organizations and the private sector to address challenges hindering digitalization progress.

Sebera stressed that ethical and regulatory concerns, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and accountability, should not be overlooked.

“Developing countries must establish robust legal frameworks and ethical guidelines to govern the use of AI in public administration. Infrastructure challenges, including reliable internet access, electricity, high-performance computing servers, and data centers must be addressed.

Rwanda has made significant progress in digitalizing its tax administration. Notable milestones include the introduction of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) ++ system in 2004, later upgraded to ASYCUDA World in 2012, which halved customs clearance times and saved $6.8 million annually in trade costs, according to the TradeMark East Africa. ASYCUDA is a computerized customs management system that covers most foreign trade procedures.

In 2011, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) launched the E-Tax system to revolutionize tax filing and payments, reducing errors and administrative burdens. The 2013 introduction of Electronic Billing Machines (EBMs) enhanced VAT compliance and curbed tax evasion. The EBM2 system upgraded in 2017 provide real-time data capture and improved fraud prevention.

“Between 2017 and 2022, VAT collection increased by 61%, and income tax collection has surged by 95%. In 2021, income tax overtook PAYE as the second largest revenue contributor, driven by the use of EBM in every taxable activity, a policy initiated in 2020,” said the RRA Commissioner General, Ronald Niwenshuti.

Studies conducted by RRA and the Tax Administration Research Centre further demonstrate the impact of digital reforms. For example, VAT increased by 5.4% in tax-to-GDP ratio, and EBM2 adoption led to a 12% rise in VAT collection among new users. Firms using EBM-supported goods achieved an average revenue increase of $33,400 compared to non-users.

These advancements reflect Rwanda’s progress toward self-reliance, the RRA CG said. Today, domestic revenue fund over 54% of the national budget, up from 51.2% the previous year. “This aligns with national strategies such as Vision 2020, Vision 2050, and the National Strategy for Transformation,” Niwenshuti added.

Giulia Mascagni, the Executive Director of the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), commended Rwanda’s leadership in digital tax transformation.

She highlighted the 10-year collaboration between ICTD and Rwanda, which has facilitated data sharing for rigorous research, policy analysis, and evaluation, contributing to improved revenue collection and taxpayer services.

Mascagni emphasized the importance of digitization in tax administration, which enabled the ICTD to explore emerging trends in digital financial services, mobile money, and their implications for tax administration.

“This conference is an opportunity to learn from one another and lay the foundation for the next decade of progress in digitizing tax administration and government services,” Mascagni concluded.

During the two-day conference, panelists will explore key elements related to Other data management and governance, digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, improving data quality and integrity, digital payments, data exchange systems; and underscored the need for robust tax ecosystems that foster fairness and innovation.

The ICTD is a global research body on tax and development, particularly in low-income countries, providing governments with robust evidence to help them design and implement more effective and equitable tax systems.

The Head of State made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief Justice, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, and Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Hitiyaremye.

“Hoarding and misusing public resources that should serve the interests of Rwandans must end, and there is no better way to stop this than through justice,” President Kagame emphasized.

“I believe that if the laws and justice system we have are properly implemented, they can help us address these issues. […] We still have a long way to go but we are determined to get there, and as quickly as possible,” he added.

The President also acknowledged that the country’s setbacks stem from poor practices, stating, “If we unite to fight them, we can put an end to them, and our country will progress.”

The President reflected on Rwanda’s painful history of injustice, much of it shaped by divisive political dynamics that led to the loss of many lives.

Rwanda’s experienced dark past where over a million people were killed 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This genocide resulted from decades of oppression and divisive politics, forcing many Rwandans into exile.

However, 30 years after the Genocide, Rwanda has risen from the ashes, transforming into a prosperous and resilient nation that serves as a beacon of hope and a role model for many countries worldwide.

Despite these remarkable strides, there are still individuals who harbor genocidal ideologies and continue to spread hate, and there have been reports of survivors of the Genocide being targeted and killed.

President Kagame emphasized that the path forward must be guided by the strict application of justice and the rule of law.

“There should be no substitute for justice, but where justice fails, other actions must follow,” he warned, reinforcing that the law must be the ultimate guide.

He also addressed those who continue to undermine the country’s progress, stressing the need for a collective effort to maintain peace and stability.

“There are still people who want to take us back to the past,” Kagame said, urging that those who attempt to reverse Rwanda’s progress be held accountable through justice.

The President called on leaders, especially in the judiciary, to continue building on the country’s achievements and to take further steps toward creating a more just and prosperous Rwanda.

After taking the oath of office, Mukantaganzwa thanked President Kagame for the trust placed in her and pledged to diligently fulfill her duties, working towards delivering fair and timely justice to Rwandans.

She reflected on the judicial reforms implemented after the Genocide against the Tutsi and emphasized the need for further improvements to ensure more efficient services.

Mukantaganzwa also vowed to build on the achievements of her predecessors, consolidate gains, and promote accountability and integrity as core values to uphold.

No casualty was reported in the incident, as the five-member crew onboard the Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft operated by the local Allied Air was safely evacuated, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, which shut down the runway thereafter, said in a statement.

The aviation authorities’ order disrupted flight operations, as several landing and departure schedules were delayed while emergency workers cleared the affected runway.

In a separate statement, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said it launched a probe into the runway incident, adding an investigative team had been dispatched to the site to conduct an “on-site assessment, recover relevant data, and interview involved parties.

For over a decade, EAC member states have agreed on the need to implement a common currency to boost regional economic integration.

The initial target for launching the currency was set for 2024, but the timeline has now been extended by an additional seven years.

Speaking before parliamentarians recently, Rwangombwa highlighted the challenges surrounding the creation of the EAC currency, particularly the unresolved issue of where the EAC Central Bank should be based.

He noted that this disagreement has been a key factor in the delay, pushing the projected launch of the currency to 2031.

“There are several unresolved issues that need to be addressed, and one of the main challenges is that the member states have not yet agreed on the location of the East African Central Bank’s headquarters. However, we are hopeful that the establishment of the currency by 2031 will contribute positively to regional integration,” Rwangombwa explained.

A recent assessment placed Tanzania as the leading candidate to host the EAC Central Bank, with a score of 82.4%. Burundi followed with 78.1%, and Kenya scored 77.3%.

However, several countries in the region, including Kenya and Uganda, have expressed dissatisfaction with the report, claiming that the evaluation process lacked transparency.