Upcountry Insight: Too slow to grab hold of Vision 2020

Western Province Without hesitation, Nsabimana Venca gives what he considers an appropriate answer for the question of who crucified Jesus, although, of course, there really is no right answer. But this one is certainly wrong.Presidet Kagame, he says. What is scariest about this answet, though, is that Venca is far better than many of the Gasenyi residents for some don’t even know the name of the country’s president. As most look at their Umudugudu leader as a supernatural beings, they often believe they are the ones truly in charge.And as for the local and national security forces, they too are not given much trust.“I can’t trust any guns. When I see those people dressed in blue uniforms I am scared for my dear life,” says Muvunyi one of the residents. You will wonder that even in schools around, children are considered proud if they know much about the politics of the country. Apart from the 1994 Genocide, most other leadership issues are ignored. “What can we do to know them? They have cars and we fear people with such,” Muvunyi adds. He is a father to six children but he isn’t planning to stop yet.As Gasenyi Rugabano is occupied with people of an average income, superstitions and beliefs tend to keep it lagging behind. Some truly believe things like if you sweep at night, all your luck is swept away; once you greet a woman in the morning, you will stay cursed for the whole day. Most evenings, the people spend their time digging ditched and making local brew ‘Urwagwa.’ One would simply wonder if Vision 2020 was meant for Gasenyi as well. If only leaders would spare some time to make themselves known as well as their roles to such remote areas.Ends