NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — A number of local leaders in Gicumbi district this week started training in basic legal procedures.

The two-day seminar held at Byumba’s Eglise Episcopal du Rwanda, was organized by the National University of Rwanda, partnering with the Haguruka and the Ministry of Justice. Opening the seminar, Gicumbi mayor Bonane Nyangezi urged participants to use the knowledge from the seminar to improve their work.

He thanked the organizers for their efforts to educate local leaders the basics of law. "I call upon all those attending this seminar to apply the knowledge acquired in your daily duties," said Mayor Nyangezi.

Participants included Cell, sector, and district executive secretaries and district notaries.

During the two days, participants will be briefed on the role of local leaders in resolving conflicts, court procedure, documents issued to execute court orders and how courts dispose off cases.

Justice Epimaque Rubango, of the Justice Ministry said the seminar is a countrywide campaign to sensitize local leaders and other non professional legal practitioners on the basics of law in order for them to provide justice to society. It was sponsored by the World Bank. "Ignorance of the law is no defense," said Rubango.

Other facilitators include Aline Mutegwaraba and Benjamin Karema representing Haguruka, and Aimable Havugiyaremye and Getrude Kayitesi represented Rwanda National University.

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