New Senators take oath today

Former National Electoral Commission chief Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa is among four people who were last evening named senators by President Paul Kagame.The others are Zephyrin Kalimba, who heads a local pressure group of historically marginalised communities, and little knowns Consolee Uwimana and Margaret Nyagahura.The quartet is scheduled to assume office today after being sworn in at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura – along with other Senate-designates Charles Uyisenga and Jeanne d’Arc Mukakalisa, who were appointed by the Consultative Forum of Political Parties a fortnight ago.The Constitution accords the President powers 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 Head of State appointed his first batch of four senators last year, as did the parties forum, which is mandated to pick four overall.The new faces in the Upper House, which was first instituted in 2003, replace six senators who served out their eight-year, non-renewable term yesterday.The outgoing senators include Dr Joseph Karemera, Seth Esri Kamanzi, Henriette Umulisa and Teddy Gacinya – all presidential appointees. Others are Agnes Mukabaranga and Juvenal Sebishwi, who had been picked by the Consultative Forum for Political Parties.The Senate has a total of 26 members, the majority of whom are elected on the basis of geographical constituencies.Article 84 of the Constitution says, “with the exception of the former Heads of State who become members [of the Senate] in accordance with article 82 of this Constitution, members of the Senate serve a term of eight years, not renewable.”For purposes of continuity the Senate is constituted at different intervals because the senatorial term is not renewable. Unlike other senatorial candidates, presidential appointees are not subject to approval by the Supreme Court.Reactions“I extend my gratitude to President Kagame for entrusting me with a great opportunity to serve my nation which I am really happy of,” Prof. Karangwa told The New Times yesterday.Previously, Prof. Karangwa, a career academic, served as a lecturer at the National University of Zaire (now DR Congo), before returning to his motherland. Later, he became the director of the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST), rector of National University of Rwanda, and rector, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), a position he left about two years ago.A holder of a PhD in Physical Chemistry, Karangwa also served as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission Chairman from 2003 to 2010, during which he oversaw the country’s first two multiparty general elections and the promulgation of the 2003 Constitution.Kalimba told The New Times, “It is a great honour; I thank the President for giving me this opportunity to actively participate in the realisation of Vision 2020 (a national development blueprint).”Kalimba served as a police officer, from 1979 to 1982, before going on to establish an association that advocates for the rights of historically marginalised communities, which he headed until yesterday. In 1997, he served as the regional coordinator of the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests.He has also conducted research for Africa Human Rights Commission, particularly on indigenous people in AfricaReacting to her appointment, Nyaguhura said, “First, I thank God for this opportunity, and then I thank my President for the assignment he has given me. I am ready to take on the job and serve Rwandans effectively.” Nyagahura runs a nursery school in Gacuriro, an uptown suburb of Kigali City, where she is also a cell leader.She holds a bachelors degree in social sciences.On her part, Uwimana said: “It is an honour to be appointed to this position, I am happy for that.”Prior to her appointment, Uwimana was running a private business which she started six months ago after leaving Banque Populaire du Rwanda.She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Project Management.Some of those leaving the Senate did not serve eight years having joined the august House to fill the void left behind by those they were replacing, but according to the law, such a senator shall only serve out the period left on the predecessor’s term.