Civil society organisations have called on government to include civil society organisations when deciding on the national priorities in the national budget.

The call was made by two umbrella organisations; Collectif des Ligues et Associations de Defence des Driots de l’Homme (CLADOH) and the Rwanda Civil Society platform, during a one day workshop discussing findings of a survey conducted in districts of Kigali to find out the level of awareness, aptitude and the practice of the budgeting process.

Speaking to New Times, the Vice Chairperson of CLADOH, Hillarie Mukamazimpaka, said it was important for government to involve in discussions civil society organisations when it comes to budget formulation.

"Our advocacy on the rights of citizens doesn’t end in legal practice alone, but a citizen has a right to know and decide how the money he pays as taxes is spent.”

Civil society groups said that participation of the citizens helps to promote transparency.

In his response, the director of National Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Elias Bayingana, called the civil societies to move beyond data collection and position themselves as indispensable groups in the budgeting process. 

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