Lawmakers in fresh push for Ndi Umunyarwanda drive

Legislators have resolved to integrate Ndi Umunyarwanda in their daily activities instead of treating it as a stand-alone- concept. This was one of the outcomes from Wednesday’s lawmakers’ meeting on Ndi Umunyarwanda, held at Parliament Building in Kimihurura. The discussion, held in camera, sought to analyse the impact of Ndi Umunyarwanda and propose the way forward. The lawmakers said such discussions are important in shaping Genocide commemoration and consolation of survivors who, in the remembrance period, relive horrible memories. Speaking The New Times after the session, MP Adolphe Bazatoha, one of the organisers of the dialogue, said that the lawmakers agreed on the need for an elaborate plan of action and called for more budget towards the programme in the next financial year. “We have agreed that it needs to be taken outside of premises of Parliament and we include it in our field outreach. We also agreed this programme should not be about discussions at the plenary level, it should as well extend to standing committees level,” he said. According to Bazatoha, parliamentary standing committees, in their oversight programmes, should be able to gather facts on the progress and challenges experienced in the Ndi Umunyarwanda drive. Bazatoha explained that, initially, the programme took the form of dialogue between MPs but in the future lawmakers will play an active role, including assessing its impact on members of the public. “This will eventually call for more budget support which we are going to solicit from the national treasury beginning next July,” he added. Ndi Umunyarwanda (Kinyarwanda word for Iam Rwanda), was launched in November 2013 and aimed at having open dialogue about the country’s tragic past to foster unity and reconciliation. One of its objectives was to shape Rwanda’s future that’s free of division. It also aimed to have a nation built on trust, accountability and unity, telling the truth, repentance, forgiveness and healing, officials said. Earlier, while opening the meeting, Speaker Donatile Mukabalisa reminded lawmakers of their role in unity and reconciliation, including the fight against genocide ideology. “We still have people who don’t understand the relevance of this programme; it is our role to promote the spirit of Rwandanness,” she said. Mukabalisa cited the heroic spirit of Rwandans, who liberated the country as one of the values which should characterise Rwandans. She recalled the process of rebuilding the nation under the national unity government that fronted the ideals of ‘Rwandanness’ as opposed to mirrors of ethnicity and division. “This will help us understand our role in strengthening this particular programme, to make sure it takes root in the workplace, our homes, and in our daily life,” she added. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Lawmakers in fresh push for Ndi Umunyarwanda drive