EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA—The long-awaited identity card issuing, commonly referred to as Indangamuntu in the local language, began Monday in Gishari sector. Activities were marked by document registration and the beginning of mass photographing.

Augustine Kampayana, in charge of good governance and territorial administration in the Ministry Local Government said it was not a moment too soon to begin issuing new identification. Citizens will likely begin receiving the first ID cards in November.

"Those entitled to acquire new IDs are registered Rwandans who are above 16 years of age,” Kampayana said.

"We intend to quicken the exercise because those who will get the IDs are expected to participate in next year’s election of parliamentarians.”

According to law every Rwandan above the age of 16 is entitled to new, high-tech identification. Gishari, in Rwamagana district, had been chosen for the pilot study and thereafter the process will spread to all other sectors in the district, the province and the country at large.

"The reason for starting the exercise from one sector is to determine the amount of resources necessary and the speed at which the exercise is taking,” Kampayana said.

One hundred and eighty-two machines will be used in the exercise, capable of taking photos, signatures, as well as thumb prints and it stores all data for as many individuals as possible.

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