One Dollar Campaign threatens to sue Umuseso

KIGALI - Officials of the One Dollar Campaign have threatened to take legal action against a local newspaper, Umuseso, for alleging that the program is a ruse to make money for the benefit a few individuals. Umuseso last week published an article written by Didas M Gasana implicating the Campaign’s leadership as the main beneficiaries. The One Dollar Campaign came about during the Diaspora retreat of December 22 last year. The Rwandan Diaspora Global Network (RDGN) is spearheading the effort to raise at least Rfw 1.3b to build homes for Genocide survivor students who have nowhere to stay. Diaspora head Gustave Karara dismissed the allegations as baseless and condemned the media house and other critics. “First of all, the story was not well researched. For example, they stated that we had collected Rfw 17m on the launching day instead of Rfw 1m. Secondly, it alleges that the organisers are using the public and hiding behind the charity to make money,” Karara told The New Times. Meanwhile, last week Rwandan musicians hit the streets to raise awareness for all Rwandans to donate at least one dollar each. The famous ‘walk of life’ started at the Union Trade Centre (UTC), down to the main round past the city’s taxi stage (Kwa Rubangura), then to the former premises of Nyarugenge Market and back to UTC. The second phase of the walk was held from Kabeza, to Giporoso (Remera), Remera Police station and culminated at Amahoro National Stadium, in Kigali. Dr Steven Buchanan, the Secretary General of RDGN explained that the 100-day campaign has been greatly supported by the artistes who also organised a concert Friday last week. “They have understood the important role they have to play and have faithfully done it. It is as vital as it is fruitful,” said Buchanan who is also lecturer at Malaysia National University. Ends