Category: Umushyikirano 2011

Rwandans appreciate the improvement in service delivery following efforts by the government over the last couple of years to see the level of service delivery improve to desired levels.

At the ongoing 9th National Dialogue Umushyikirano at the Parliamentary, it emerged that a bigger percentage of Rwandans are satisfied with the level of service delivery by government institutions and the business community in general.

The Minister of Labour and Public Service Anastase Murekezi presented a report on how Rwandans feel on service delivery. He pointed out that 75% of Rwandans expressed satisfaction on the way health services are provided by hospital and health centres. The survey which was done by the Rwandan Governance Board (RGB) using the citizens scorecard showed that people in the Western Province are happier with the health services followed by the Northern province.

“Access to clean water has also greatly improved. The government programme to ensure access to clean water in 200m in the city and 500m in rural areas is paying off. 68% of the people in rural areas said they have clean water while 80% of the people in Kigali said they have clean water access. In the Northern province, 75% of the people said they were happy with access to clean water,”

“On education, the survey showed that people were happy with the efforts of the government. 78% of the people were satisfied that their children can find a school in at least within 2km,” Murekezi said

75% of the people also said that they appreciate the land registration processes. The survey further indicates that 8.5 million land parcels have been demarcated with 88% adjudicated. A big number of citizens also stated that they were impressed by the improved Crop policy, land consolidation and market availability.

Residents of Kigali however reported that while there has been improvement, there is need to remove the remaining barriers to service delivery including bureaucracy, incompetent and lazy local leaders .

The report further states that 81% of the citizens say they are happy with community reconciliators know as ’abunzi’ while 63%% say they were satisfied with the Judges and 34% have trust in lawyers.

On transport, a survey done showed that the number of people moving in and outside Kigali by express commuters has gone up tremendously. It indicates that in 30 minutes express buses take 600 people to the Northern province, 900 passengers to the South, 500 passengers to the West and 700 to the Eastern province, indicating a major increase in the in and outflow of people into the city.

The problem here is that the city lacks planned areas such as modern parks were these people moving in and out of Kigali can be accommodated or hosted. We need to develop infrastructure to deal with these challenges.”

Despite the country’s progress in the World Bank Doing Business ranking, there is need to improve the business atmosphere mainly regarding business opening and closure which was cited as one of the challenges remaining. It was observed that people register business and start operations but when they make losses, they stealthily move out of businesses without going through the right procedures.

Banks doing a good job but customer service needs to improve. 90% of the citizens believe local government are doing a good job regarding citizens getting documents for immigration and the National ID and the period between applying for such documents and when you get them.

{{President Paul Kagame has said that only Rwandans can have the right
to define who they want to be and work towards that and only them have
that freedom to make such choices but not foreigners, intruders, the
press or rights groups.}}

Speaking at the opening of the 9th National Dialogue (Umushyikirano)
at the Parliamentary buildings today, President Kagame called on
Rwandans to stand up and defend themselves against intruders who
assume the responsibility of defining who they should be and what
should define their country.

In a powerful speech, President Kagame came out strongly against the
critics who usually say that despite economic progress, there are no
rights and freedoms of expressions and democracy in Rwanda, observing
that it is a responsibility of Rwandans to say whether such rights
exist or not.

Addressing a full house of central government leaders, local
government leaders, private sector and civil society representatives,
religious leaders and diplomatic corps, President Kagame said that it
is disturbing when foreigners, who sometimes dont fulfill the lessons
they teach others, ignore the progress made and instead start pointing
accusing fingers, calling upon Rwandans to reject this patronizing
attitude.

Amidst applause, the Head of State pointed out that Rwandans should
find it offensive for such critics to undermine the home grown
solutions such as the National Dialogue to instead accuse countries of
stamping on freedoms.

He said that the objective of initiatives such as the Dialogue is to
ensure that all Rwandans have a platform to participate and play a
central role in the development and decision making processes of their
country but such are never recognised.

“This meeting is a symbol of nation building through a process where
all Rwandans have a right to contribute to the process and play an
active role in deciding the path of their country,”

“They will talk about the many things Rwandans have achieved but then
they say ‘but’….why the but?They say Rwandans dont have freedoms of
expressions. I see three things involved, we are either dumb, even if
we have what we want to say, we cant because we are dumb. Secondly,
maybe Rwandans cant say anything because there is someone silencing
them,”

“Thirdly, probably you might not be dumb or no one is silencing you
but you have nothing to say. Today, I want us to find an answer to
this question, to assess what other people think we are and then come
up with a stand of who we want to be, regardless of what other people
think of us. Whoever considers us to be whatever, that’s there burden,”
President Kagame said

The Head of State wondered why people talk of the economy growing but
cannot put in perspective other aspects such as democratic processes,
freedoms of speech and other rights which Rwandans have defined and
put in place themselves along with the economic development that is
visible but continue to complain about space.

“Which space is bigger than this one?” President Kagame said in
reference to the dialogue itself.

“Infact the space that is lacking is that space which is constantly
being occupied by those intruders. This nonsense from outsiders is the
one occupying our freedom. These so called teachers of freedom, space,
the same people getting stuck with genocidaires murderers and
criminals,” he said, pointing out the case of Theoneste Bagosora, the
genocide mastermind whose sentence was on Wednesday reduce from life
to 35 years by the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR).

“It has taken them 17 years to try him and try him so badly and they
are the same people coming here to give us press freedoms? You are a
joker. Some of us you come to teach about freedoms have been freedom
fighters for their and other peoples rights since childhood. We have
interest in our own freedoms and rights than anyone else has. We have
have that responsibility more that anyone else,” President Kagame
said.

President Kagame said such people can do it, just because they can but
not becuase they are right.

“They can do it to Africans, they want to do it to Rwandans but I want
to assure you that we are different people. You Rwandans sitting here
should not accept this nonsense. Accepting it is un thinkable, but
accepting it is worse off for you, stand up and defend that right,
they should not speak for you,” he said.

The Head of State took a swipe at rights groups and the media, saying
that the two should not be the ones to be seen to have the right to
define or choose what Rwandans want and also make freedoms appear like
a myth where only a few have the power and previlege to define them
and know what suits others.

“My question is, who are you?Who are you speaking for?Are these
millions of Rwandans here waiting for you to come and tell them what
their interests should be and what their rights are?You Rwandans
should reject that. We cannot make this progress and then at the same
time fail in other areas, it doesn’t just add up,” he said.

The Head of State said that he was recently reading a foreign
newspaper where a certain person wrote that they cannot be governed by
a minority several years after the country failed to form a
government, observing that such a statement comes out wishful thinking
because Rwanda is not governed by a minority but rather Rwandans.

“They wish to be governed like Rwanda, these are people who havent
been governed for two years, they failed to put in place a government.
Who is minority?am not from a minority,I am from these Rwandans you
see here. We cannot be a minority in our own country. These are people
who need lessons about Rwanda, lessons in freedoms, you cannot teach
us about our own freedom,” he said

“The main problem is just one and thats what brings us here, they can
afford to call us all sorts of names, they can do whatever they
want—and they can do anything,ask where Mutara Rudahigwa went, they
will do that because you depend on them, they give you remains, when
you depend on them, anything will happen. Even passersby will poke at
you, thats the position we are in, thats the position we want to live
far behind us and thats why we are here,” he added.

He called on Rwandans to more determined than ever to be in the
position they want to be and end being in the position of being
beggars and that will be the only way Rwandans will be independent of
such negative references.

He called on Rwandans to bear that in mind that the dignity of
Rwandans is not defined in newspapers or wherever. The Head of State
also spoke about how on many occasions whether he will leave office
come 2017, saying that despite coming out clearly, journalists
continue to ask him the same, well knowing that he still has 6 more
years on his mandate.

“They are not patient enough for me to serve my term in office. I can
serve Rwandans in a different capacity, not in this office. I have
done that before and I can still do it,”

The Head of State then sent the house into bouts of laughter when he
pointed out that he paying for an offense committed by the Ministers
of Internal Security Musa Fazil Harelimana who in the first place
started the 3rd Term talk.

“Fazil should carry his own cross, not me. This is not serious, some
of us have some serious business to attend to,” he said.

He noted that alot has been achieved over the last 17 years and there
is need for Rwandans to maintain that process without any kind of
distraction.

“We have achieved alot and I urge you to continue on this path. Us
meeting here is an answer to the challenges we face but most
importantly we answer the question usually coming from outside Rwanda,
to those who question us,I dont understand why some people would feel
more concerned with the country’s processes than the Rwandans
themselves,” he observed.

The Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi presented a report on the
implementation of the recommendations of the 8th National Dialogue,
observing that progress in all areas was at 90%. A joint report on the
achievements of some of the home grown solutions Rwanda started a few
years ago to address its challenges was presented by Prof. Anastase
Shyaka from Rwanda Governance Board.

Millions of Rwandans were able to follow the proceedings live on TV,
on radio and online. Hundreds participated using Twitter, Facebook,
calls and SMS messages. The discussions continue in the afternoon.

{{The 9th National Dialogue opens today at the Parliamentary building. Over 1,500 delegates including representatives of the central and local government, legislators, private sector and civil society will convene for the two-day event.}}

President Kagame is expected to table the discussions also to be graced by religious leaders, development partners, Rwandan Diaspora as well as Diplomatic corps. A big number of Rwandans will participate using various online programmes.

According to the Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Foreign affairs, over 250 members of the Rwandan Diaspora are expected to attend the event, surpassing last year’s attendance of Rwandans living abroad.

The meeting which will be telecast live on the National TV as well as radio and online streaming is also expected to draw a big number of grassroot leaders.

President Kagame will open the meeting this morning and there after the Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi will deliver a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 8th National Dialogue.

The Minister of Local Government James Musoni will make a presentation on how Rwandans solve their problems and develop their country by upholding their dignity while the Finance Minister John Rwangombwa will make a report on the progress of the EDPRS Phase I.

In the same session, strategies and means of embarking on EDPRS Phase II will be laid while other prominent discussions are expected to rotate around service delivery, good governance and the role of education in development.

Members of the Rwandan Diaspora will play a vital role in the debates which will be followed across the globe.

According to Leonie Rutanga, the Vice President of the Rwanda Global Network (RDGN), over 250 members of the Rwandan Diaspora are in the country with keen interest to participate in the National Dialogue.

“Majority of them are here for the festive season, to visit their families, some are in holidays but they are those who specifically came to attend the National Dialogue,”

“As you know the Government has encouraged members of the Rwandan Diaspora to be part of the nation building process so we don’t want to be left out. We cannot wait,” Rutanga said.

Over 60 of these came under the government programme of “come and see” aimed at encouraging Rwandans in exile to return home by showcasing the available opportunities and the progress the country has made.

They will tour different parts of the country before they consider returning or staying abroad. Among the areas they visit are the northern and western provinces.

The dialogue whose theme is “Strive for our Dignity and Together We Pitch for Rapid Development” is expected to bring together leaders and citizens to debate, assess progress, take stock and lay strategies for the next year.

Igihe.com will be there to bring you live updates as they happen. You can also follow the proceedings on TV and different radio stations. The discussions will be streaming live at www.umushyikirano.gov.rw and www.orinfor.gov.rw.

Follow the 9th National Dialogue on Twitter @umushyikirano and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Umushyikirano-2011/252929371433184?ref=ts.

You can also call on a special toll free lines 0252585268 and 0252585267 during the discussions to voice your concerns directly. An SMS line will be announced.

{{As the country gets set with the 9th National Dialogue (Umushyikirano) scheduled for December 15-16, Igihe.Com team takes you back at the resolutions adopted at the last 8th National Dialogue.}}

After two days of deliberations at the Parliamentary building, development process and assessing the performance in 2010, the house set targets for 2011.

President Paul Kagame chaired the event during which the former Prime Minister Bernard Makuza presented a report on the implementation of the 2009 resolutions.

Last year’s edition attracted representatives of the central and local government, legislators, the private sector, civil society, religious leaders, development partners, Rwandan Diaspora as well as Diplomatic corps.

The dialogue was also broadcast live on national radio and television and close to 100, 000 people followed the proceedings online. The public was able to participate through text messages and phone-in interventions.

The Resolutions

Following the lengthy discussions, the house adopted a number of resolutions to be implemented in the next one year on the economy, good governance and social welfare.

Economy

Umurenge SACCO generated a lot of debate regarding it performance and progress. It was cited that the cooperative was yet to attract a large membership base. It was therefore resolved that leaders, at all levels, mobilise people to join the programme which is aimed at encouraging the saving culture.

It was agreed that the masses be encouraged to “own” the SACCOs and also understand that they are for their own benefit.

Also agreed was the need to increase the capacity of microfinance institutions to increase savings and lending especially in rural areas, as a way of supporting investment in rural projects like agriculture.

The house agreed on new measures of water harvesting to increase irrigation in marshlands and on hillsides in a bid to support agriculture especially at the time when rain is increasingly becoming unpredictable.

During the National Dialogue, the private sector was called upon to take part in the plan to see at least 100, 000 hectares of land put under irrigation over the next seven years.

It was also agreed that the youth savings scheme COOJAD be merged with Umurenge SACCO to make it more effective and also boost Umurenge SACCO membership and financial resources.

Among other things, government moved to claim all marshlands with a resolution that all people settling in marshlands be moved to upland areas with immediate effect. The decision was based on the need to reserve marshland areas for strictly agricultural purposes.

Also dominating the dialogue were high fuel and food prices particularly in the City yet rural farmers were failing to get market for their surplus produce, hence the need to create immediate supply chains by all the parties involved.

Good Governance

On good governance, it was noted that there was a need to streamline and strengthen measures to fight genocide and the genocide ideology as well as the need to urgently look into welfare of genocide survivors.

The immediate need to look into the state of genocide memorial sites was highlighted, with a call to all district authorities to take up the responsibility.

On decentralisation, it was resolved that all levels of governance and with in the private sector, leadership should be brought closer to the people through good customer care initiatives aimed at developing all Rwandans in general. Bad service was condemned.

Following the participation of over 30 members of the Rwandan Diaspora, it was agreed that all Rwandans still in exile be encouraged to return home and “see” with their own eyes the “new Rwanda” and thereafter consider returning home.

Social Welfare

It was resolved that Kinyarwanda language be allocated enough time on the curriculum to allow Rwandan children time to know their culture and language.

A need to make sports compulsory on the curriculum for healthier children was highlighted.

The government and its partners set themselves a goal to eradicate poor housing, particularly grass-thatched houses, atleast by the end of 2011.

Major among other recommendations was the need to involve parents, through their associations, to work hand in hand with teachers to monitor the education progress of their children as part of the plan to have parents pray a key role in the education of their children.

Special attention was also put on the need to increase the numbers and capacity of Vocational Training Schools (TVET) to encourage hands-on skilled training.

The Ministry of Sports and Culture was tasked to establish the “Kinyarwanda Parliament” to be established by the Ministry of Sports and Culture by 2011 while the urgent need to fast track the 12 Year Based Education was identified among other recommendations.

Details will be posted on both of our English and Kinyarwanda versions keep loged in to Igihe.Com for information about the 9th National Dialogue.

{{ENDS}}

This Thursday 15th December, all roads will lead to the Parliamentary buildings as the nation once again comes together for the annual national dialogue commonly known as Umushyikirano.

The 9th of its kind, the 2011 National Dialogue is to bring together central and local government leaders, the civil society, diplomatic corps, the private sector as well ordinary citizens and Rwandans from Diaspora.

According to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Protais Musoni, this year’s national dialogue will act as a platform to assess the country’s progress as well as lay new strategies that will guide the country towards a fast-tracked development path.

“This year’s National Dialogue will take place between 15th and 16th December and it will be an opportunity for us to handle issues which are of importance to the well being of Rwandans,”

“We will also use this opportunity to evaluate the progress in the implementation of the recommendations from last year’s dialogue and the goals we set for ourselves. The President of the Republic is expected to guide the discussion,” Musoni said in an interview with IGIHE.com.

Minister Musoni said that the full programme to cover the two-days is yet to be released but noted that it is expected to be highly interactive will Rwandans and non-Rwandans participating on phones and online.

“It is going to be highly interactive. Rwandans will participate through phone calls, text messages and online forums where the dialogues will be streaming live. It will also be live on the National TV and on several radio stations and websites,” Musoni said.

It should be noted that last year over 100, 000 Rwandans participated by calling in on a live call-in telephone line and a direct SMS line as well as on internet. The dialogue was also streamed live, especially for Rwandans in the Diaspora on http://www.umushyikirano.gov.rw/ and www.orinfor.gov.rw.

Musoni said that this year the number is expected to increase as more and more Rwandans gain access to internet and mobile phones.

The Cabinet Affairs Minister noted that the Prime Minister is expected to present a report on the implementations of the resolutions adopted during the 8th dialogue in the areas of the economy, good governance and social welfare.

Pertinent among the issues raised last year was the implementation of the anti-Nyakatsi programme, a government initiative to eliminate grass-thatched houses which had raised eye brows over the procedure used and the mismanagement of the resources set aside for the programme.

Also major among the issues raised was the performance and progress of Umurenge SACCO programme which was yet to attract a large membership base.

It was resolved that leaders, at all levels, mobilise people to join the programme which is aimed at encouraging the saving culture. Also touched were issues affecting the agriculture sector as well as 12 Year Basic Education.

The National Dialogue is mandated by the 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. It is convened by the Head of State, bringing together all major stakeholders in nation building. The first was held in 2003.

Igihe.Com is committed to be your number one source of news and information on the forthcoming 9th National Dialogue. We will update you on the progress made so far and what you should look forward to as we approach the d-day.