Now that Rwanda has joined the East African Community (EAC), Rwandans have developed aspirations to achieve their dreams. Countries have laid strategies towards improving human resource personnel to support the economic integration and develop peace and good relationship among member states.

During a recent mini survey conducted to get people’s views about the EACs Political Federation, of the 18 people interviewed, three women and 15 men, all but one expressed positive reception about the political federation.

It was also clearly noticed that majority of Rwandans are happy with Rwanda’s joining the bloc.

Muhammad Kubwimana, a businessman at the Trade Union Centre (UTC), says that, the political federation has played a key role to the EAC’s member countries and Rwanda in particular, because it has created markets since Rwanda is a virgin market, thus promoting and supporting Rwanda’s economic trade and tourism sector.

"Unfortunately, some Rwandans [who are lazy] are likely to fail in the competition, and soon they will be thrown out of the game due by competitive persons coming from member countries.”

 He says areas to be affected will include the service sector (hotels, restaurants, discothèques and bars), and the private sector in general.

"Rwandans ought to relinquish the culture of laziness.

Actually, President Paul Kagame has discouraged it, because it hinders the development of the country.” he says

Prosper Ngarambe, is a wholesaler and supplier of goods which he imports from Kenya operating from Nyabugogo.

He says that, its really good news for Rwandans to join the EAC, because we are going to gain much from it.

"Industrialization has captured the world, and now competition is the order of the day.

So, I think, it was wise for the Government of Rwanda to also jump on the band wagon and dance according to the tune of development.” He adds a little caution though.

"However, Rwandans should be reminded not to swallow the things wholesomely, but to instead copy only what would be of importance to the development of our country.

Certainly, trade and transactions have been made easier, as compared to the previous years.

Thanks for the EAC!”

Jacqueline Mukabaranga, an employ of Rwanda commercial Bank (BCR) says Rwandans will be able to learn more from those particular countries which are economically better-off than us [Rwanda], like Kenya.

She however expresses a little reservation "there will obviously be some negative effects, like theft and dirt in the city caused be the big numbers of people who will be coming to carryout business in Kigali.

Michael Rungemantwaza is an employ of Excel Security Company.

He says, as a Rwandan, he is truly happy about the political federation and he is certain that it will largely contribute to the development of the country, and it will also improve on the relationship between member states.

"Many people will be coming in the country to carryout businesses, because Rwanda is politically stable.

We therefore promise investors that security will stay tight even better than it has been because of the country’s leadership.

Alex Twahirwa, working in the budget department under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), says that, the political federation will make it easy for free movement of labour [employment] and movement of goods and services, and job opportunities to people in the member states.

"Big investment projects like road construction, railway, airports and other infrastructures will come up.

Rwandan markets will also gain the bargaining power in international trading blocs like World Trade Organizations (WTO), as well as in the world markets.

And the comparative advantage concept, like specialization where one performance is best, will also be developed in the country, in order to produce better quality products.”

Emmanuel Ningi Ntamuhanga, a journalist with Izuba says that, it’s good because the political federation will solve problems in the great lakes region, politically, economically and socially.He says business transaction will be simplified, because Rwanda will now be cooperating with coastal countries.

However, he says, "For this to be achieved, politicians have to be free to the local people and give them a chance to also express their views other than making decisions on their behalf.”

Mark Rudasingwa, wholesaler says, "As a dealer I believe that operations of the customs union will now be better, since Rwanda has joined the EAC, thus creating a favourable environment for business transactions.

"The market trade is going to be opened across East African countries.

Very soon, Rwandans will be able to adopt the culture of business dealings, thus reducing laziness.”

He says political federation will also develop the private partnerships, thus triggering investment and create employment opportunities.

Rukeba Vedasta is a driver with Onatracom buses. He says that with political federation, it is going to create unification and unity to East Africa countries. 

 He is optimistic political federation will lead to free trade area, customs union, common market and monetary union.

Jane Mutesi, a waitress at Gorillas Hotel says the benefits of a political federation which include laws governing employers and employees (labour law), will probably be uniform and shall be respected by member states.

Human resource will be improved to support and favour the key development areas.

"Again, the political federation will help to eliminate barriers that often arise from different political set-ups, stability to make the region more attractive for both regional and international investments.

 It will also increase trade and investment in the region, a more competitive environment for business and bigger bargaining power for businesses in the region.”

Lion Dee, Caribbean artist says, "It was really an appropriate idea for Rwanda to join the EAC. 

Here, the political federation will enhance political stability, economic integration, as well social affiliation, because countries will be operating like partners.”He suggests that the Government of Rwanda and the ministry in charge of entertainment industry in particular, support the music sector.

Manuel Rutikanga, journalist in Butare, says this is a great opportunity for the Rwandan sectors to develop easily, especially the media, where unlike in other East African countries, in Rwanda, freedom of press is still lagging behind.

Joset Nyinawagaga, student at Universte Libre de Kigali (ULK), says that, we are happy for our country to have joined the EAC.

The problem of language barrier will soon be solved and employment opportunities will be in abundance, since we shall be operating with more than one country.

John Ntagungira, an accountant with BCR, says negotiations on the political federation and Protocol on the common market have recently commenced.

Thus, this is going to make possible for the people of East Africa to move and work freely without barriers.

"Again, customs affairs, for instance centralized revenue collection and integrated computerization at the border points and ports is also vital.”

Gasana Celeste works for a transport agency in Kigali. He says it’s good for the Government of Rwanda to join the political federation, because they are high chances for her to develop.

 "When dealing with countries which are to some extent developed than Rwanda, the transport system will be improved, since there will be no barriers.

Jerome Rwasa, also a journalist with Izuba, says that Rwanda will again both politically and economically from political federation.

"As we know, those East African countries, like Kenya and Tanzania have a long history of economic stability, thus Rwanda can also gain from them.

He says, Rwanda’s economic history has not been systematic and her regime has not been smooth as compared to those other countries.

"Tariffs [the economic integration] will remove heavy taxes and custom duties.

 Again, Rwanda is going send delegates to participate in the Legislative Assembly (LA), with countries which are more experienced in the market trade, thus creating employment opportunities for Rwandans, and smooth market transactions.”

Rukeba Vedasta is a driver with Onatracom buses. He says that with political federation, it is going to create unification and unity to East Africa countries. 

He is optimistic political federation will lead to free trade area, customs union, common market and monetary union.

Suvati Nyarwaya, whom we met at MTN centre, says that the political federation will improve incomes to those involved in businesses. 

Production and incomes will increase, thus improving on the standards of living for people in the region.

Political federation will also simplify movement of all factors of production [labour, location of business capital].

Uwizeye Bosco, a teacher says, since Rwanda is a land locked country, its good that it has joined EAC, because now business transactions will not be as hard as it has been when one would be charged millions of francs during importation and exports of goods.

"Through political federation, we are now sure about the political stability in the region, because now East African states will be fighting to protect the same interests.

 Again, Rwandan companies will soon improve on their products, in order to meet the regional and international markets.”

However, Jean Claude Semukanya says that he is not impressed by Rwanda’s decision to join the East African Community.

"For Heaven’s sake, Rwanda didn’t need much from any of those so-called East African states.

 Because, in any case, they are the one’s who need our [Rwanda’s] support.

For instance, Uganda and Kenya are politically unstable, though they are a little bit better off economically than Rwanda.

I suppose, Rwanda shouldn’t have joined the EAC, but instead seek for partnership and collaboration with countries which are both economically and politically more established than her. 

Ends