PARLIAMENT - President Paul Kagame yesterday hailed both chambers of parliament for their tireless efforts to study and pass legislations aimed at overhauling the process of doing business.

This has not only propelled Rwanda to the 67th position in the 2010 Doing Business report, but also emerged the top global reformer.

The President said this while officiating at the swearing-in ceremony of two newly appointed Senators.

He said that Rwanda’s new impressive ranking is proof that where teamwork exists, everything is possible. He added that had the parliament not worked with other institutions to put in place the necessary legislative reforms, Rwanda wouldn’t have moved up 76 places in the rankings.

Kagame added the report released by the World Bank on Wednesday does not only call for celebrations, but should also encourage all stakeholders to do more to acquire an even higher ranking.

He further emphasised that if the country is to achieve its development goals, there is a need for collaboration among various government institutions as well as the private sector, adding that the challenges are still immense.

He said that much as good laws have been enacted, the challenge now is to implement them in a more practical manner so that the impact is felt right at the grassroots.

The President said that it is high time Rwandans, even in rural areas, are sensitised on the benefits of the report and how they can actually benefit from the reforms.

Beyond the Doing Business Report, Kagame again came out strongly demanding more results from leaders and good service delivery as they are major incentives to the quick development and progress the country is looking for, adding that it is now that action and results are needed and not later.

The President recalled the speech he gave during his visit to the National University of Rwanda in Huye District, last month, where he decried the quality of education offered by universities in the country, clarifying that the speech which provoked a lot of public debate was not a message for teachers and students alone as has been perceived.

He said that quality education is a concern for leaders, institutions, parents and all Rwandans and stakeholders, as it is a critical prerequisite for development and it can only be improved through concerted efforts at all levels.

Meanwhile, Kagame said that he will be tasking the Prime Minister to regularly engage in interactions with MP’s and other levels of policy and decision making, as a way of encouraging debate on different issues facing the country.

Kagame encouraged the newly-appointed Senators to fulfil their objectives and to join hands with their colleagues as they work for the improvement of the lives of the people and the development of the country.

New Senators

The two Senators Jose Kagabo and Harriet Umurisa replaced Stanley Safari and Beatrice Mukabaranga, respectively, who lost their seats in the Upper Chamber of Parliament.

Prior to his appointment, Kagabo, was a Professor of History and Literature, specialising in the social and political history of Rwanda.

He also taught at Paris-based Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, and other French Universities and colleges.

"All I can tell you is that I am looking forward to my new responsibilities. I am committed to do my job; I’ll do what my country has tasked me with,” an excited Kagabo told The New Times.

He was also a commissioner on the renowned Mucyo Commission which had been tasked to investigate the role played by France in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Umulisa, who prior to her appointment was a teacher at Ecole Belge, promised to work for the development of the country after a long experience working with various organisations.

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