Varsity students to form governance clubs

In a bid to promote good governance principles in the country, students at Kigali Independent University (ULK) are set to form governance clubs at their institution. The students made the pledge on Monday evening during a heated debate between Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) officials and students on how ULK can contribute to the promotion of good governance ethics in the country. “We are going to establish governance clubs that will be critical in supporting RGB to enhance good governance in our country,” noted Fidele Katabarwa, a fourth year International Relations student. He stated that the clubs would be formed in every department where students can share best governance principles with the help of the governance body. Responding to concerns over the establishment of the governance clubs at ULK, the Chief Executive of RGB, Anastase Shyaka, welcomed the idea promising full support to the students. “For that matter, we are going to have a Memorandum of Understanding with your university which contains a number of areas we shall work on to consolidate good governance practices,” he asserted. The students also proposed that once the clubs are operational, they would spread to secondary schools to educate young people about good governance. Andrew Mugume, a First year Management student, said that good governance is still hampered by inefficient service delivery from some public and private institutions. “There is a need to strengthen better service delivery services in the institutions where the services are still lacking, RGB should help us to address this particular issue,” he stated. The meeting, which is part of the Governance month, provided a platform for ULK students to engage with Rwanda Governance Board on various issues. The Governance Month that kicked off on 13 December last year, is the first of its kind, where good governance is assessed and strengthened by looking at such issues as service delivery and demands of ordinary citizens. “We are going to open toll free lines where people will be calling in to tell us how governance ethics and practices are implemented in their areas and institutions,” Shyaka said. frank.kanyesigye@newtimes.co.rw

National

Varsity students to form governance clubs