President Paul Kagame has called on the newly sworn-in senators to confront challenges directly, whether internal or caused by others, and to ensure that their work delivers tangible results for the country.
The Head of State said this on Friday at Parliament during the swearing-in ceremony of six senators, who have begun their mandate.
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They are Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, Evode Uwizeyimana, Valentine Uwamariya, and Alfred Gasana, who were appointed by the President, and Frank Habineza and Alphonse Nkubana, who were elected by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO).
With their induction, the Senate now comprises 26 members, 13 men and 13 women, achieving equal gender representation.
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“I thank the new senators who have been given these responsibilities,” President Kagame said.
He noted that the Senate plays a crucial role in the governance of the country, emphasizing that it guides government institutions on where to focus their efforts and provides the necessary oversight to ensure all institutions remain aligned.
Kagame emphasised that the work of the Senate should connect long-term legislative goals with the daily lives of Rwandans.
“When you look at it, what Rwandans want is often more than our resources can provide. But this reminds us that even with limited resources, we must use them wisely to achieve the most possible based on what we have,” he said.
President Kagame said that while policies may look good on paper, the most important thing is to put these ideas into action.
“For us, with the will to act correctly, those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities must be held accountable, and solutions must be provided so that mistakes are not repeated,” Kagame added.
The Head of State stressed the need to fully understand both the history of our country and the direction in which it is heading.
“Many things are challenging. Some problems originate internally; others come from outside. Even when a neighbor has problems, Rwanda bears the consequences. It is up to us to respond.”
“Therefore, instead of sitting idly by and waiting, people should find the strength to confront challenges directly.”
He noted that injustice against Rwanda is historical and not new. “We did not cause it, but we must confront it without letting it block our path,” he said.
Kagame reminded the senators to understand their responsibilities and to clearly communicate what the nation is accountable for, ensuring it is understood by all."
“You must carry out your duties accordingly. That is how you will truly serve our country,” he said.
