World Bank official hails VUP programmes

NYAGATARE-A World Bank official has hailed Rwanda’s Vision 2020 Umurenge programme (VUP), saying it is a milestone in the country’s steps towards development. Speaking to The New Times in an exclusive interview on Wednesday after visiting VUP projects in Kiyombe sector, Nyagatare district, Paul B. Siegel, a consultant with the bank said that what VUP has achieved in transforming rural residents in the country is impressive. ‘I was very much impressed by the progress VUP has made in the country. My visit was partly to see what VUP is doing on the ground,’ he said. Under the VUP activities in Kiyombe sector, residents were encouraged to acquire soft loans from sector credit and savings cooperative commonly known as Umurenge Sacco, to set up income generating activities to improve their livelihoods. The World Bank official said that unlike in other developing countries he has visited, the programme is seen as being pro-poor as it has transformed needy residents within its sites in Rwanda. ‘It is really promising to witness the residents who were needy some time back getting out of the vicious circle of poverty and seeing them helping their fellow residents,’ he said. He added that the country’s good governance was among the factors that have contributed to the success of this programme. Ends