EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA —The Belgian government in partnership with the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) on Thursday donated building tools to 76 demobilised soldiers.

Others who benefited include residents of Rwamagana District.

The equipments that included hammers and landers among other things were given to beneficiaries who have previously been equipped with the necessary vocational skills in order to help the former soldiers resettle into civilian life.

Each individual received equipment worth Frw56.000 in order to enable them engage in viable income generating projects.
At the handover ceremony of the tools, at the district offices, the Mayor Valens Ntezirembo, said that through RDRC, the former soldiers and other residents were given work of constructing roads in the district.

Currently, they are to construct Kabale-Muhazi road and Duha-Musha road.

"These tools and the training you got are meant to help you develop yourselves, the district and your country,” he said, warning the beneficiaries against selling the tools or keeping them idle. 

The Mayor asked them to collaborate in their work.

"We decided to look for them what to do and chose to make them work on the roads, so that the money that would be allocated to road maintenance is given to the demobilised soldiers,” Faustin Rwigema, coordinator of RDRC said.

Etienne Nyemera, one of the beneficiaries thanked the commission, province and the district for the continuous support rendered to them.

Nyemera said they can now able to acquire loans to enhance their projects.

Brig. Gen. Bagabo said: "You should not forget your duties; you have to know that the nation is yours and have to help towards good leadership.”

He explained that half of the wages for the demobilised soldiers is given to them while the other half is deposited on their accounts to help them meet their responsibilities like paying their children’s school fees.

He reminded those who were given the construction tools to take good care of them.

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