Senators  have endorsed last month’s Cabinet appointment of five people in various public offices, but stressed the importance of such officials awaiting the Upper House’s approval before assuming their new responsibilities.

Senator Joseph Karemera, the chairman of the Senatorial Standing Commission on Political Affairs, told a plenary session on Monday that the committee had approved the appointments after thoroughly scrutinizing their CVs.

Those approved include the new Governor of the Eastern Province Dr Ephraim Kabaija and the former State Minister for Labour and Skills Development, Angelina Muganza, who becomes the Executive Secretary of the newly established Public Service Commission.

Others are Lt. Col. Richard Masozera, a former security aide to Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, who was appointed the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to replace Joshua Mbaraga.

Karemera said that Masozera had told the commission that he would implement projects such as the construction and renovation of Kamembe and Gisenyi airstrips to help boost tourism.

Also approved by the Senate were Dr Anastase Kimonyo, the new Director General of Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS), and Narcisse Musabyeyezu who takes over the post of Inspector General in the Education ministry.

Kimonyo succeeded Dr Tito Migabo, who was recently sentenced to seven and half years in prison on corruption charges.

"We hope they will deliver in their respective appointments and promote economic development," Senator Antoine Mugesera said.

He added that appointees should always wait for the Senate to approve them before assuming office as the Constitution stipulates.

The Senate has repeatedly complained about officials begin their duties as soon as the Cabinet appoints them without waiting for the Senators to give their nod. Kabaija, who replaced Theoneste Mutsindashyaka – currently State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education – is among those said to have assumed office before the Upper Parliament’s endorsement.

On Monday last week, he spoke in his new capacity as the Eastern Province Governor, during the opening of a one-week Genocide commemoration period in Bugesera District.

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