EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — The members of traditional informal school -Itorero- of Rwamagana district have been urged to be disciplined. Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Mossa Harerimana who was addressing the group recently at St Kizito in Musha Sector likened them to new drivers who have just acquired a driving permit. “You were like drivers without driving permits; so you are now working for permits to do work in order to drive well. People who chose you to represent them in this training had trust in you basing on your conduct, this is why you were chosen,” he said. He cited traditional systems which have been applied by the government like Itorero, Gacaca, Ubudehe, Umuganda, mpunzi and called for their full reinstatement in the country saying they were useful but had only been destroyed by evil wishers. The mayor Valens Ntezirembo urged the participants to embrace the training and disseminate the knowledge acquired to the grassroots. The participants are being trained in government programs relating to cultural, political, economic and social developments geared towards restoring the lost traditional values before the coming of colonialists. Specific issues tackled include; good governance, justice, unity and reconciliation, agriculture development, environmental protection, social welfare, formation of cooperatives, job creation, among others. The country wide Itorero were formed following the official launch at the national level by President Paul Kagame on November 16. According, Tharcisse Kanimba, an elder among the group the traditional practices formed a useful school of thought where the young learnt virtues of good leadership. In Rwamagana they are camping at St. Kizito Secondary School with 501 and at Lycee de Muhazi accommodating 357 participants. Ends
