The new initiative by government to have all civil servants in public institutions take oath should not be taken lightly.

This is in line with the 2002 law on the general statutes for Rwanda public service which, among other things, requires all public servants to take oath before officially starting their jobs.

The move will inevitably promote accountability on the part of the public servants as well as enhance service delivery in the public sector. These are some of the key elements that foster good governance and development across the country.

Much as the country has undergone a series of reforms to improve the performance within the public sector, we have sometimes witnessed isolated cases of individual civil servants rendering poor service.

Government should not stop at administering these oaths.  Follow up mechanisms have to be devised, in case the public servants do not live up to their pledges.

Countrywide campaigns should be launched to create public awareness on the implementation of the Law. Leaders should keep their jobs only if they are working in the interest of the people that they serve.

There is no one better placed to determine the performance of the leaders than the people they serve. 

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