Among the people contacted on what their New Year’s resolutions are, the biggest percentage pointed out starting entrepreneurial ventures to lead them to economic independence.

The people The Sunday Times contacted included employees of various companies, civil servants and other members of the civil society.

Ildephonse Uwizeyimana, a primary school teacher, when asked what his resolution for the coming year was, disclosed that he is tired of working for someone, especially when earning meager wages.

"Considering my current working conditions and earnings, it will be difficult for me to achieve my life’s dreams. So am planning to start a small business come 2009, I don’t mind how straining it is going to be for me. What I know is that it will grow,” said Uwizeyimana.

The plans of starting businesses further re appeared in other correspondents, for instance Dativa Uwantege a student who is currently working as a hotel usher. Her burning desire is that of setting up a fashion shop, selling a wide range of clothes and ladies’ bags.

François Gakwaya, a taxi operator along the Remera-Nyabugogo road, envisages starting up a small dairy farm to generate some income beside his taxi, come 2009.

Though business plans dominated people’s New Year’s resolutions, there emerged other resolutions. For instance, Innocent Muhizi, a trader in Nyabugogo market, disclosed that he wants to establish a family and start constructing a house.

For Josiane Murekatete, a fine artist by profession, 2009 will mean doubling her devotion and efforts towards charity most especially helping orphans and other vulnerable children.

The picture painted by people who have plans to start up businesses and become economically independent is a positive one and in line with the government dream of developing a strong private sector, where people innovate and create wealth to achieve a state of self sustainability.

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