20,000 cases handled by Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman has handled 20,350 disputes since its establishment in 2004. The figure was made public by the acting Chief Ombudsman, Augustin Nzindukiyimana, during his presentation of the 2010-2011 report at a joint parliamentary session. The biggest number of cases was reported between 2010 and 2011; 6,340, which is 31.2 percent of all cases filed to the office since its establishment. This year’s report indicates that 65 cases related to corruption were filed to the Ombudsman’s office – the majority of which involved local authorities. “So far, we have solved 24 cases related to corruption, 40 dossiers are still being followed while one particular case was sent to other institutions,” said Nzindukiyimana, without elaborating which agency received the cases. Regarding wealth declaration, the acting Ombudsman said that its performance had improved. “Last year, we distributed 7,563 wealth declaration forms to government officials, among those, 6,709 (88.7 percent) returned the forms filled while 835 officials are yet to declare their wealth,” he noted. Among particular cases highlighted in the report include those of people expropriated from Mbarara Island in Karongi District and those from Iwawa Island in Rutsiro, who were however promised access to their land. Water scarcity hits E. ProvinceMost districts in Eastern Province have been hit by scarcity of clean water leaving many to rely on untreated marshland water. The issue of water has been heightened despite the impending March-April rains. Local leaders say residents trek long distances or sometimes ride bicycles in search of water. They have to wait for long hours as water fills up the spring wells so that they can fetch water in turns. Jean Paul Mbonabucya, a resident of Rwanteru in Kirehe District, said a number of streams where residents fetch water were also drying up. He added that scarcity of water was common in the district, adding that there was need to rectify the water sources, to ensure that there is clean water for the affected communities. Meanwhile, Rwamagana District is overwhelmed by population growth that does not match with availability of water. According to the Mayor, Nehemie Uwimana, the water infrastructure remains the same despite population increase. Desire Kairu of Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA), Rwamagana branch, confirmed the existence of the problem, adding that a solution was underway. PM tours Rusizi, NyamashekePrime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, this Thursday started a three-day tour of the districts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke in the Western Province. The tour, according to Janvier Ndayizeye, Director of Public Education and Information at the Prime Minister’s office, is aimed at looking at the progress of the implementation of various programmes in the area “and listening to grievances.” While in Rusizi, the Premier toured the Pindura - Bweyeye road that is currently under construction and also met Bweyeye Sector residents. He will also visit Bugarama marshland and CIMERWA cement factory. The Premier is also scheduled to inaugurate the power connectivity to Nkombo Island and handover a boat to the residents to facilitate their movement. President Paul Kagame pledged to donate the Rwf 170-million vessels when he last visited the area. The Nkombo Island tour concluded by a visit to Nkombo Secondary School. In Nyamasheke, the Premier will visited Bushenge Hospital which is under renovation, before meeting with residents of Gatare Sector. Bushenge Hospital was destroyed by the 2007 earthquake that hit the area and left several people dead and others homeless.Mineduc, ADRA commit to fight illiteracyThe Ministry of Education (Mineduc) and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have vowed to strengthen efforts towards the fight against illiteracy in the country. The remarks were made early this week when officials from the two institutions held a one-day-meeting in Kigali. Erasme Rwanamiza, the Director General of Education and Planning in Mineduc, who officially opened the meeting said: “Illiteracy is one of the factors that leads to abject poverty and poor living standards of the citizens in any society. It’s therefore imperative that you join our efforts in this war”. He added that illiteracy is an enemy to any development process, calling for the need for all Rwandans and other stakeholders to teach people how to read, write and count. The official also noted that the cooperation between Mineduc and other stakeholders like ADRA, is a sign of a strong commitment towards eliminating illiteracy. The Country Director of ADRA, Jefferson Kern, said promoting literacy will help the population easily face community challenges and strengthen their ability to participate in various activities aimed at promoting good governance and democracy. He said that ADRA has been participating in various developmental activities, especially in the education sector in the country, for more than 30 years. Esperance Muziganyi, an expert in charge of literacy in Mineduc, said illiteracy in the country stood at 34.7 percent in 2006, most of them female.Rwandans rejected the poverty trap – KagamePresident Paul Kagame, said that the Rwandan people rejected the notion of a ‘poverty trap’ and worked closely with the government to plan and implement programmes that have resulted to a steady decline in poverty levels. The Head of State made the remarks during a joint launch of the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II), the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV 3) report as well as the fourth Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 4).The surveys show a remarkable 11.8 percent reduction in poverty as well as improved access to health care, over the last five years. “These communities inspire many innovative, home-grown initiatives such as Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP), Umuganda and One-Cow-per-Family. There has been a mindset shift. “Rwandans now know that we should aspire for more and better and that the solutions are there within ourselves,” President Kagame said. He added that, strong institutions within and central and local government, evidence-based policy making, accountable leadership, as well as the will and commitment on the part of the citizens have been the driving force behind the success.Cadres urged to foster changeMembers of the National Academy (Itorero ry’igihugu) have been called upon to become the catalyst and agents of change in the country’s quest for social and economic transformation. The call was made early this week during a one day workshop that brought together representatives of national cadres (Intore) from all districts of the country, organized by National academy. The cadres will facilitate the forthcoming Solidarity camp for 61000 students who completed their secondary School last year and are about to enter universities. Participants were lectured on dangers of genocide ideology, the role of the youth in Nation liberation and patriotism and their role in ensuring national security. The Executive Secretary of CNLG Jean de Dieu Mucyo asked Intore to play a crucial role in fighting against the genocide ideology. The solidarity camps will no longer be convened in Northern Province as it used to but rather will happen at district levels and will receive all students who have completed secondary school. Dutch officials tour MusanzeA team of officials from the Dutch embassy in Kigali yesterday visited several areas of Musanze District to assess the economic development and priority areas that may need support. Local leaders briefed the officials on the district’s development programmes, budget, opportunities, planning, the infrastructural development and what has been achieved in poverty reduction in rural communities. The delegation toured Ruhengeri Hospital to witness programmes for elimination of malnutrition as well as a food storage facility. Jolke Oppewal, Head of Cooperation, said the visit would help them understand how the district perceives the Netherlands’ contribution to development. He revealed that the Netherlands has unveiled a new four-year plan of supporting Rwanda’s development initiatives and that programmes that tackle malnutrition would be considered. “Food security is a priority in our programmes; this requires a multi-sectoral approach, as Rwanda is doing, especially access to market, investment in energy for food processing, help people to make an income. It’s about value adding and more income,” he said. According to a recent demographic survey, malnutrition fell from 52 to 44 percent. Mugesera to foot own bill if he hires foreign lawyersLéon Mugesera will have to dig into his own pockets if he is to have Canadian lawyers of his choice. This was revealed mid this week by Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga. This follows reports in Canadian media that Mugesera’s family had released a statement asking the Rwandan government to provide Mugesera financial and legal assistance necessary to enable him to pay his lawyers when his case resumes in April. It is stated that his family also petitioned the Canadian government to send an observer to ensure that Mugesera is well treated, and that whatever “happens to him in detention, the Canadian government will be liable”. Ngoga said that while no one has approached prosecution over the issue of an observer, the claims that something “evil” could happen to Mugesera is baseless, but in any case, an observer would be allowed if the need arises. “The only arrangement under which he can get a lawyer under our resources is if he applied and arranged with the Rwandan Bar Association for a Pro Bono representation. “If he wants his Canadian lawyers whom he says he trusts, he is free to have them with his own resources,” Ngoga said. Mugesera, who was deported from Canada in January, appeared in court on February 2 where he was charged with three counts that include planning the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, inciting the public to commit Genocide and distribution of weapons.