Parliament has passed a draft legislation that will see the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) gain autonomy.

RGB has been an affiliate under the Ministry of Local Government.

Among various roles, RGB handles governance related matters including overseeing works of local Non Government Organisations, Faith Based Organisations and Civil Society Orgaisations.

The legislation adopted on Wednesday by the Lower Chamber of Parliament seeks to move RGB from its "mother-ministry’ – of Local Government, giving it autonomous powers.

The draft law was scrutinised by the Parliamentary standing committee in charge of Political affairs, gender and economic development before it was passed. Legislators said there was urgent need to give RGB autonomy as a way of improving its efficiency.

MP Alfred Rwasa Kayiranga, the chairperson of the standing committee in charge of Political Affairs says separating RGB from the Local Government Ministry will make the institution more neutral when executing its mandate.

RGB’s mission includes, promoting the principles of good governance and decentralisation; conducting research and policy analysis related to governance; monitoring the practices of good governance; coordinating and supporting media sector development; documenting and assessing home grown initiatives as well as registering, and monitoring civil society organisations and political organisations.

The institution is also in charge of providing policy advocacy to government, enhancing citizen participation in governance and creating strategic engagement and partnership with national, regional and international institutions.

"RGB has quite unique roles such as research, which requires it to be independent. Giving RGB autonomy will ensure independence and neutrality in delivering on its mandates and increase its credibility,” Kayiranga reiterated.

Francis Kaboneka, the minister for Local Government, who was also in parliament shared similar sentiments noting that, "indeed, promoting good governance and research requires RGB to be a stand-alone body.”

Under the new mandate, RGB will be in charge of commissioning local and international researchers who wish to work in Rwanda, and register International non-government organisations (INGOs) coming to Rwanda. Currently the mandate to register INGOs intending to operate in Rwanda is done by the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.

According to the draft legislation, senior managers at RGB shall be appointed in accordance with Presidential order for a five-year term renewable only once.Senior managers won’t be allowed to do private business during their term of office, according to the Bill.

RGB will be required to submit an annual report to the President and the Parliament. The restructuring will not affect employees and immovable assets under RGB supervision, according to the draft law.

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