Ombudsman uses drama to fight corruption

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA — The office of the Ombudsman has adopted the use of theatre arts to spread the anti corruption crusade.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — The office of the Ombudsman has adopted the use of theatre arts to spread the anti corruption crusade.

Tito Rutaremara, the Ombudsman, launched the use of drama and plays to stem corruption, in Muhanga district on Saturday October 4.

During the event, Kigali based "Abasare” theatre group presented a play on corruption which was attended by hundreds of residents including women and children.

"The same play will be presented in other districts countrywide and broadcasted on national television. The plays are aimed at rallying residents behind the government’s efforts to fight all sorts of corruption and injustice,” said Rutaremara.

He added, "There are three scourges in Rwanda which include Aids, genocide ideology and corruption. Each Rwandan should be involved in the fight against all these diseases, so as to maintain our culture, economy and avoid conflicts in community.”

Stressing that all nationals engage in the fight against corruption, the Ombudsman called on Muhanga residents to involve children in the different campaigns, so as to have future of patriotic citizens.

Abasare group presented a play called-ahari abantu nti hapfa abandi-literally meaning-"people cannot die in the presence of others-which points to various ways in which local leaders take bribes and how residents can stand up against corruption, and know their rights.

Most of the key players in the play are famous theatre artists in Rwanda.

According to the Ombudsman; residents can easily take lessons on corruption and know their rights and the message sinks faster in people’s minds when drama is used.

Ends