New Legislators speak out

On Wednesday President Paul Kagame presided over the swearing-in ceremony of one new Senator and three members of the Lower Chamber of Parliament. The New Times highlights the new lawmakers; who they are, and their plans in the August House. Senator Teddy Gacinya replaced Aloysea Inyumba who was appointed the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion. The newly elected MPs are Zeno Mutimura, Marie Josée Kankera and Amiel Ngabo Semahundo. A teacher by profession, Senator Gacinya, 53, holds a bachelors degree in education with over 35 years of experience. Prior to her new position as MP, Gacinya was running her famous City Infant School, formerly known as English Medium School which has two sites; one in Gacuriro and another in Kimironko. She started the school back in 1994 after she returned to the country from exile in Tanzania. “For 17 years I have been serving my country in the education sector. I was dedicated to supporting education when I returned home, that’s what I have been doing,” Gacinya told The New Times. Married with two sons, Gacinya said that she received the news of her new appointment with great joy and promised to work to the expectations of the electorate and the citizens. “I intend to continue with my efforts to empower women in my new position. I will ensure that women are empowered and given life skills, especially in business and how they can earn sustainable incomes,” Gacinya said. Mutimura, who, until 2009, was Rwanda’s Ambassador to Tanzania, replaces Alfred Gasana who, on Tuesday, was appointed the new head of Internal Security in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). Prior to becoming Ambassador to Tanzania, Mutimura, a laboratory engineer by profession, served as First Counsellor to Ethiopia and China and also worked at the RPF Secretariat, among other positions. “My job as an MP is to be the eye and mouth of the citizens, which is an honour in itself. It is not an easy task, but I am ready for it. I am prepared to follow the rules of the house and fulfil my duties as I said in the oath,” Mutimura told The New Times. Kankera replaces the late, Aimable Nibishaka who passed away last month, while Semahundo replaces Alexandre Ashinzwuwera who lost his parliamentary seat after he allegedly physically assaulted his young brother and was thrown out for misconduct. On her part, Kankera, 46, and a mother of 4, vowed to continue serving the country as she has been doing. A holder of a Masters Degree in Project Management, Kankera has been self employed, with a consultancy firm specialising in project planning and management. She is also a coffee farmer and owns several coffee washing stations. Kankera said that her appointment brought her and her family joy and she will serve to the expectations of the people. “I have been serving my country in the private sector. I believe I am still young and energetic and there is no doubt that I will still serve in my new capacity. I will contribute to whatever develops Rwanda and its people,” she said. A former MP in the first Parliament, Amiel Ngabo, has been serving in the private sector. “I am glad that I have bounced back. I am especially glad because this was done through the choice of the people and they are the people I will serve,” he said. Ngabo holds a degree in education. He has served in different capacities in several government institutions. Ends