Rwanda and the other member states of the East African Community (EAC) are gearing up for the new financial year with the 2011/12 budgets to be read in the respective Parliaments, on June 8.

Over the last one month, members of parliament have scrutinized the broad elements that constitute the next budget, to ensure that national resources are allocated appropriately.

July 1 will officially mark the beginning of the new fiscal year and the implementation of the new budget.

However, a recent survey indicated that most ordinary Rwandans do not have a clue about the national budget, and, as such, hardly understand their role in its implementation.

The budget is aligned to the needs of the people and considering that the whole process is about how their tax-money is allocated, it is natural that they play an active role in the implementation.
 
And, the public’s participation can only be guaranteed through mass awareness.

This will help ensure public ownership and success of the various development and priorities out lined in the budget framework.

Citizens who are actively involved with the budget process will not only appreciate why they must meet their tax obligations on time, but will also work collectively towards financing the entire national budget – one of the country’s long term objectives.

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