People with disabilities in Rubavu District have called on newly elected representatives to prioritise advocacy for improved access to affordable financing, saying financial inclusion is essential to expanding businesses, creating economic opportunities and improving their livelihoods. The call was made during elections of representatives of special interest groups— including women, youth and persons with disabilities— held on Saturday, November 15. Youth and persons with disabilities cast their votes at Gisenyi Sector, while women voted at Rubavu District headquarters. Yasini Niyonsaba, 26, was elected to represent youth, while Jeanette Mugire Kagaba was elected representative of persons with disabilities. Chantal Uwineza was re-elected to represent women in the National Women's Council (CNF). Theogene Hakizimana, 40, a member of the electoral college and a cross-border trader operating at the Petite Barrière border post between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said limited access to credit remains a major obstacle for people with disabilities seeking to expand their businesses. He urged the newly elected representatives to advocate for financial institutions to introduce more accessible lending arrangements that take into account the circumstances of persons with disabilities. Regarding our daily cross-border trade, which is our main source of income, we want the new leaders to advocate for easier access to finance because this remains one of the major challenges facing people with disabilities, Hakizimana said. We want them to engage banks to ease access to loans. The tricycles we use in our daily businesses are outdated and no longer meet the demands of modern trade. Access to affordable loans would enable us to acquire modern tricycles, improve our businesses and enhance our livelihoods, he added. Beyond financial inclusion, Hakizimana also called for improved sports infrastructure and opportunities for persons with disabilities, noting that Rubavu has sporting talent that deserves greater support. Speaking after her election, Kagaba pledged to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development programmes, emphasising that no one should be left behind. There should be no national development that excludes a particular group of people, she told The New Times. I will make sure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in national programmes and that their concerns are considered alongside those of other groups, including women and young people. JUST IN: Special Interest Group elections—covering women, youth, persons with disabilities—are underway in Rubavu. Youth and persons with disabilities are convening at Gisenyi Sector, while women are voting at the district headquarters. : @germain_rda /TNT pic.twitter.com/6MHrxaRVzZ — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) November 14, 2026 On access to finance, Kagaba called for financial institutions to consider more affordable lending conditions, including reduced interest rates, arguing that persons with disabilities have the capacity to engage in productive economic activities when given equal opportunities. We are also capable, she said. Some people do not have collateral, while others are afraid of losing the assets they own if they fail to repay their loans. That is a mindset we need to change. Francine Uwineza, Executive Secretary of Gisenyi Sector, said local authorities will continue working with elected representatives to identify opportunities and mobilise support from partners interested in improving the welfare of persons with disabilities. She acknowledged that financial institutions have established lending requirements but said there is a need for dialogue to explore financing arrangements that take into account the particular circumstances of people with disabilities.
