Umuganda, the centuries-long tradition of community work, is one of Rwanda’s most popular homegrown solutions – one that continues to impact the lives of many Rwandans and significantly contribute to national development. Through Umuganda, Rwandans have demonstrated that a united people can achieve a lot together and that everyone has an important role to play in their community and country’s development. The revitalisation of Umuganda was part of the post-Genocide government’s policy to borrow from the country’s traditional values and practices as part of broader efforts to foster unity and reconciliation and fast-track recovery and development. Through Umuganda, Rwandans have kept their neighbourhoods clean, constructed housing units for the most vulnerable among them, built schools, hospitals and bridges, and cleared drainage channels. Twenty years ago, Umuganda was a nearly dead concept. But, thanks to a deliberate effort to rejuvenate the exercise and elevate its role in national development, many people today participate in the monthly activity and the results speak for themselves. Official statistics indicate that the country saves at least Rwf20 billion through Umuganda. Not a mean feat! And, there are other crucial benefits that are hard to measure. For example, the resultant social bonds and interactions among community members, and decisions that residents take to address specific needs in their respective localities, including security, family cohesion, schooling, garbage collection, among others. The importance of Umuganda cannot be overemphasised. And this must have been on the minds of senators on Tuesday when they urged the Government to revise the law governing Umuganda with view to harmonise it with the new policy on the activity and maximise its benefits. One of their proposals is to revisit the fine of Rwf5,000 slapped on those who boycott Umuganda and give residents more powers to devise an appropriate measure against the offender. While this remains a proposal, it is important that authorities examine the way Umuganda is carried out today with view to plug the loopholes and ensure maximum impact. There is need to continue promoting ownership of this practice at the grassroots, especially among young people, to ensure that Umuganda remains an integral part of our national ethos. Nonetheless, any revision should include safeguards against any form of abuse at the grassroots.
