Kagame picks Karangwa, three others for Senate

President Paul Kagame today appointed Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa, the immediate former chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, and three others to the Senate – the same day six senators saw their eight-year, non-renewable term come to an end.The three other presidential appointees are Zephyrin Kalimba, who heads a local pressure group of historically marginalised communities, and little knowns Consolee Uwimana and Margaret Nyagahura.Article 82 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint a total of eight senators – in two phases – taking into consideration such matters as national unity, historically marginalized communities and national public interests.The quartet joins two other Senate-designates, Charles Uyisenga and Jeanne d’Arc Mukakalisa, who were appointed by the Consultative Forum of Political Parties a fortnight ago.The President appointed his first batch of four senators last year, as did the parties forum, which is mandated to pick a total of four – also over a period of two years.They are all due to be sworn in tomorrow, October 11, as new entrants to the Upper Chamber of Parliament, which was first constituted in 2003.Their soon-to-be colleagues – 20 in total – have already served their first year in office.The six senators whose term ended today include, Dr Joseph Karemera, Seth Esri Kamanzi, Henritte Umulisa and Teddy Gacinya – all presidential appointees.Others are Agnes Mukabaranga and Juvenal Sebishwi, who joined the august House as choices from the Consultative Forum for Political Parties.Some of these may not have served eight years having joined the Senate to fill the void left behind by someone else, but according to the law, such a Senator shall only serve out the period left on the predecessor’s term.

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Kagame picks Karangwa, three others for Senate