It is Thursday afternoon. Workers refurbishing the Huye multi-purpose hall, just in the town centre are busy fixing concrete, welding and painting.

But just below the building, in the yard, a group of people, mainly women sit firmly typical of Christians waiting for the sacrament of penance.

The skies are threatening to open up but they seem not to be bothered by the impending downpour. One by one, they draw closer to young men scattered all over the yard.

For an onlooker, it is visible that people are doing a lot of explaining and all the young men are doing is listening and giving them inquisitive looks as they examine writings scribbled on dirty pieces of paper.

Welcome to the National University of Rwanda’s Legal Aid Clinic. It is here that ordinary residents seek legal advice from Law students from the National University of Rwanda on unresolved cases to do with land disputes, rape, parentage, property, conflicts with local leaders, name it.

One such a case is of an old man from Maraba Sector. He is barely clothed. He is dressed in a long overcoat that rolls to his knees. He claims that a certain police officer has made life hard for him in the village, by detaining him on false charges.

"He has confiscated all my clothes, the reason why I am almost naked,” says the old man.

Innocent Hitimana, 50, a resident of Simbi Sector, has been visiting the Clinic for the last six months. His problem - never paid by his employers.

"I worked at a construction site but my employer stubbornly refused to pay for my services. He claimed that he too was not paid by the owner of the houses,” says Hitimana. He did not sign any contract. He relied on mutual trust until it could not stand the test of time.

"I trusted him that is why I did not have to sign a contract, but I have a few papers to show that I worked for him,” he says.

Hitimana needs his pay and needs it real bad; and for this to happen, officials at the legal Aid Clinic have a task before them.

There are many similar cases that await these young undergraduate students. Every Thursday afternoon, they have to listen to such cases and give advice accordingly.

Eve Sebirago is the deputy coordinator of the Clinic. He says that because of ignorance, people do not know their rights; they do not know where to seek redress.

"These are the people we are trying to help with the collaboration of local authorities,” he says.

According to Sebirago, the Legal Aid Clinic enlists services of mainly third year Law students and staff members from the Faculty of Law.

"The clinic is important for students because they get an opportunity to practise what they have learnt in class through serving the community,” he says.

Jean-Claude Rwibasira is one such student. Seated under the shade of a tree, he listens to an old man explaining what is understood to be a land dispute. As a fourth year student on internship, Rwibasira cherishes the challenges posed by work at the legal clinic.

"This work accords me an opportunity to practise what I have learnt and at the same time help people in the community,” he says, adding that the experience acquired at the clinic will offer him the necessary practical knowledge to practise in courts.

Sebirago explains that the clinic has a cordial working relationship with courts and offices of prosecution.

"We work together to solve problems faced by local people. They give us access to files of our clients wherever need arises. We also advise them on many issues that pertain to the interpretation of laws,” says Sebirago.

The Legal Aid Clinic staff also goes down to the community to sensitise local leaders on issues to do with the law.

"Some local leaders deliberately twist the law to suit their selfish ends. With our presence, they have realised that they cannot do such things anymore and walk away scot-free,” added Sebirango.  He is quick to add that the Legal Aid clinic does not influence courts, neither does it resolve cases.

"In most cases we do mediation. Over 90 percent of the cases that are brought to our notice are resolved. We have built trust in the community and that is very important in mediation efforts,” he says.

Sebirango says that in some cases, the clinic mobilises lawyers to represent people who would otherwise not afford their services.

"We have also been helping people going to court by preparing for them legal briefs. This is a service that even court authorities have come to appreciate,” adds Sebirango.

In all these interventions, the university has been supportive according to the deputy coordinator of the clinic.

"The University has always facilitated our activities like provision of transport and other necessary assistance requested by the Clinic,” he says, adding that the local people receive the services pro bono (free of charge).

Their services also target vulnerable people who cannot reach the clinic. The students go to them. One such intervention is the HIV//Aids and human rights programme.

Tom Mulisa, a legal assistant in charge of HIV/Aids and human rights at the clinic, said they offer legal protection to people living with HIV/Aids.

The programme is operational in the districts of Huye and Gisagara and works with 22 associations of people living HIV/Aids. He says that people living with HIV/Aids face stigma because of their sero status.

"HIV/Aids widows are denied property because of the perception that it is a matter of time before they, too, die,” says Mulisa, adding that people have to know that HIV/Aids is no longer a big threat today.

People infected with the virus can be able to live for over 20 years. Another vulnerable group according to Mulisa, is that of casual labourers. He says that the law is clear for other categories of civil servants but casual labourers are not provided for.

Through the Clinic, employers are sensitised on the rights of employees especially those living with the virus. The Clinic, through this programme, also campaigns for access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). 

"We want to know if people are getting first and second line treatments because the right to health is constitutional,” says Mulisa.

"I am optimistic that my problem will be solved. These young men have already discussed with my former employers and they have organised for a meeting. I will come back next Thursday for an answer,” says a jovial Innocent Hitimana as he departs for Maraba.

Ends