NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The minister of Infrastructure, Stanislas Kamanzi, has asked members of the traditional informal school-Itorero-of Gicumbi district to spearhead the fight against poverty.

Officiating at the closing ceremony of the one-month training of the group christened "Indashikirwa mu bahizi, this Tuesday at Rushaki, Kamanzi urged the members to engage in income-generating activities to improve their economic status.

"You should be the light to others in your villages,” said the Minister.

There were 465 participants drawn from 11 Sectors of the district. Minister Kamanzi commended the group for constructing terraces on 11 hectares of land at Rushaki hills and advised them to instill the same spirit of ‘hard work’ into others in their localities.

He further urged them to have a vision by creating long term economic ventures.

He advised them to form cooperatives to achieve their goals and appealed for harmonious co-existence among the residents.

Other officials who graced the function include the vice mayor in charge of social affairs Eugenie Uwamahoro, and the 503 Brigade commander Brig. General Augustine Kashaija among others.

Uwamahoro echoed similar remarks; advising the participants to ‘preach the gospel of Unity and Reconciliation.

On his part, the program coordinator, John Nkunzurwanda, thanked participants for their good conduct and hard work during the training.

He revealed that out of 360 participants tested for HIV/AIDS during the training, only two were found positive.

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