Employees of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), yesterday, donated blood as part of the celebrations to mark the 10th Taxpayers Day, slated for 13 August.

The exercise, which took place at the institution’s premises, attracted staff from neighbouring government institutions including the Prime Minister’s Office, ministries of Commerce, EAC, Foreign Affairs and Gender and Family Promotion.

Others were the Office of the Ombudsman, National Electoral Commission and Auditor General’s Office.

The two-day event is conducted by the National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT).

Speaking at the event, Gerard Nkusi Mukubu, the Director for Taxpayers’ Services department said that every year, RRA organises various activities to reach out to the public, as a way of celebrating the taxpayers’ day.

"We designated these two days for our staff and other well wishers to donate blood,” he said.

Mukubu added that the initiative is critical in saving lives especially hospitalized patients in dire need of blood.

Alexia Mukamazimpaka, the head of blood donors’ mobilisation service at NCBT, called upon people to donate blood to help replenish the blood bank.

"I am very pleased by RRA for organising the initiative and I thank all the people from various institutions who turned up to donate blood,” she said.

Mukamazimpaka stressed that there are many patients in hospitals in dire need of blood for survival, adding that such donations are vital to their lives.

After donating blood, Robert Ssali, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of EAC told The New Times that, he came with a large number of staff from his ministry, adding that they have a huge responsibility to help people and save lives.

"Donating blood is part of building our nation. Why shouldn’t I give blood if I very well know many Rwandans sacrificed their lives to liberate this country?” he noted.

Ssali called upon the general public to donate blood so that the blood bank remains safe.

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