KIMIHURURA - Lawmakers on Tuesday elected Gabriel Semasaka and Alfred Rwasa Kayiranga as the new chairpersons of the disciplinary and political affairs committees, respectively.

The two were unopposed.

Semasaka replaces the late Aimable Nibishaka while Kayiranga replaces Alfred Gasana, who was, last month, appointed head of Internal Security in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

The disciplinary committee is not a standing committee but a special committee provided for by the Internal Rules of the Chamber of Deputies.

A Canadian-educated veterinary doctor, Semasaka is married with three children.

The disciplinary Committee’s responsibilities include: assessment of the activities of the House; follow-up on the conduct of Deputies and provision of advice in respect thereof both outside and inside the building of the Chamber of Deputies; follow-up on the respect of legislative immunity and provision of advice with respect to allowances allocated to Deputies.

According to the House’s internal rules, the Committee considers issues relating to Deputies’ conduct upon request by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and "shall have the power to require whoever it deems appropriate to provide information on issue under its consideration in compliance with the law”.

Members of the Committee are "bound by the strictest secrecy” while discharging their duties.

By press time, The New Times could not reach the new head of the political affairs committee for comment. However,  Rwasa’s profile in the parliament website indicates that he was born in June 1962, and hails from the Western Province.

He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration.

The Committee on Political Affairs and Gender is responsible for issues relating to: public administration and state institutional relations; justice; media; non-governmental organisations; gender promotion; promotion of women and family, family property, responsibilities of spouses ; and the fight against corruption.

It also follows-up on the harmonisation of laws with international conventions that promote women which were ratified by Rwanda; and considers the report of the Ombudsman and preparation of draft recommendations to the Plenary Assembly.

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