[Editorial] Leaders should stand and be counted

A new Deputy Ombudsman was sworn in yesterday. Her main functions will be to oversee the prevention and fighting injustice.It is only when President Kagame visits upcountry that the scope of injustices, away from the public eye, is found to be wide. People air their grievances in front of the Head of State most of the time caused by their local leaders who have carved kingdoms in the remotest parts that central government officials hardly visit. Does it really need the intervention of the President for someone to receive their indemnities? Does it need the intervention from Village Urugwiro to see justice prevail? As the President said during the swearing-in ceremonies, leaders should leave the comfort of the chairs and go on the ground where the real problems lie, and where they will be best equipped to solve the population’s problems. A leader’s worth is measured by the dedication to serve, not to be served. That is the first lesson any aspiring leader should cram. Just as the swearing-in of new leaders was winding up, another was about to take place at the other end of the town. The City of Kigali was conducting an assessment of its leadership’s Performance Contracts (Imihigo), another of our home-based solutions where leaders set goals, and pledge to achieve them. The competitive nature of the exercise has seen leaders work tirelessly not to be left behind by their peers. But the fear of not hitting the mark has also forced some to cut corners and in the end performing well just on paper while the reality was something else. It is only the culture of taking public service seriously and selfishly that will push this country forward, not laziness and empty rhetoric.

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[Editorial] Leaders should stand and be counted