On Thursday, September 26, new Senators took their Oath of Office marking the beginning of a five-year term. President Paul Kagame urged members of the upper house headed by Francois Xavier Kalinda to “work for the people” and “ensure that no one is left behind.” The Senators were sworn in less than two months after the members of the Chamber of Deputies also began their five-year term. ALSO READ: Work to leave no one behind, Kagame tells new Senate The New Times spoke to Rwandans in various categories to hear about what they want the lawmakers to focus on in their respective terms. Ivan Ruberandinda, resident, Kamonyi District Members of Parliament should work on issues related to access to finance and microcredit schemes, including youth specific financial products. Here they should work with financial institutions to create youth friendly financial products, including low interest loans and grants to fund entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses started by youth. Tony Patrick Shema, university student, Bugesera District The lawmakers should tackle issues in the education system, especially Nine and 12 Years Basic Education, improving school infrastructure, quality of education. The students from those schools tend to perform poorly. So, Parliament should take this into consideration in the first place. ALSO READ: Kalinda re-elected Senate President Allen Muhoza, a youth based in Kigali I think they should focus on promoting programmes and laws that encourage job creation in various sectors, including technology, green energy, and manufacturing. Equally important is a focus on tax incentives for businesses and direct financial support for vulnerable households. Robert Rukikira, business analyst, Kicukiro My opinion on Parliament is to see them focusing on youth at the very beginning of their responsibilities, focusing on them employment opportunities and supporting development ideas. In addition, they should also promote unity among Rwandans, specifically young people, and again strengthening our families. Sonia Akaliza, project facilitator, Gasabo District Parliament could also focus on the digital preservation of Rwanda’s cultural assets. This would include the digitization of historical documents, recordings of oral histories, traditional music, and cultural artifacts to ensure that future generations have access to Rwanda’s cultural heritage. Parliament should also look at the ways of translation of cultural works and Rwandan literature, oral history, and other cultural works into multiple languages. This can help promote the country’s cultural richness globally. Yvonne Mutoni, resident, Kayonza District As Rwanda does not produce everything locally, imports are necessary to meet the needs of consumers. Essential goods like pharmaceuticals, fuel, machinery, and certain food products that are not produced in sufficient quantities domestically are critical for the well-being of the population. I would like to see Parliament in this new term pass laws that increase competition for local producers to ensure food security and stabilize prices for consumers.
