In order for people to live in a safe environment with access to good education, healthcare and other services, the country needs good leaders. For this reason, N° 11/2013/0L of 11/09/2013 Organic Law modifying and complementing the Organic Law nº 61/2008 of 10/09/2008 on the leadership code of conduct was instituted. Article 2 of the leadership code of conduct defines a leader as: “Any public employee holding or acting in any offices of the Legislature, Executive or in the Judiciary and other related institutions who is in charge of managing other employees and taking decisions affecting the State, department, institution or duties he/she is in charge of.” The leaders include high ranking officials such as the President, President of the Senate and the Prime Minister, and senior officials such as members of the cabinet, members of parliament and judges of the Supreme Court. People who hold such posts are expected, as par article 3 of the leadership code of conduct to love their country (be patriotic). They have a duty to promote and respect human rights and to be transparent and accountable. Additionally, they are expected to be efficient, to work towards quality service delivery, to promote national unity and fight against genocide ideology. Article 4 of the leadership code of conduct says that while leaders are performing their duties, they are prohibited from engaging in any activity based on “nepotism, ethnicity, clan, family connection, region, sex, religion or any other conduct that may demonstrate occurrence of discrimination or divisionism.” Leaders are expected to meet their legal and contractual obligations and as such are not expected to fail to clear their debts. And because they are expected to be transparent and accountable, leaders are prohibited from offering or taking bribes, using favouritism, illegal enrichment and other corruption-related crimes. As patriotic citizens, Rwandan leaders are not allowed to prioritise the interests of other countries over those of Rwanda. They are also not to do anything or support an act that will tarnish the image of the country. Leaders are also prohibited by article 4 of the leadership code of conduct from misusing state property or letting their subordinates misuse it. No leader has the authority to divert or donate property which is meant for the institution under his/her leadership. Countries with leaders who conduct themselves in a proper manner are peaceful and as such, achieve high levels of development.
