Community Service Slashes Government Expenditure in Rwanda, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday is a day of relaxation for many. In Rwanda though, everyone knows that the last Saturday of the month is spared for community work, locally known as Umuganda.

Residents pick up tools to clean up their neighbourhood or help to construct a house for a homeless family or repair a bridge.

President Paul Kagame, is no exception, he rolls up sleeves, grabs a hoe and digs trenches or clears shrubs with community members.

After the work around noon, local communities discuss problems around the village. Dodging the activity attracts a Rwf5000 fine.

Empirical data obtained by KT Press indicates that Umuganda has massive socio-economic impact that is monetarily quantifiable.

On average, this year's Umuganda activities were worth Rwf19 billion ($25 million), according to Francine Tumushime, Director General of Community Development and Social Welfare in the Ministry of Local Government.

The value of Umuganda is equivalent to an average annual budget for two districts, Tumushime says was measured from activities including; construction of houses for needy citizens, repair of feeder roads and building classrooms.

From July 2014 to June this year, Western province generated Rwf4.9 billion from Umuganda activities. Southern Province had Rwf4.6 billion, Eastern province made Rwf4 billion, Northern Province had Rwf3.4 billion, while Kigali City ranked last with Rwf2.2 billion. 

Local Government Ministry and office of the Prime Minister set a team of experts and activity evaluators to ascertain the value of each Umuganda activity and level of participation.

After every Umuganda, the team evaluates activities and citizen participation before forwarding report to the Ministry. A copy is sent to the Prime Minister, who submits it to President.

"When we put our hands together, there is nothing we cannot achieve," Kagame said on August 29, after joining residents to construct a feeder road connecting 20,000 families.

Northern Province had highest citizen participation in Umuganda with 93%, Eastern Province (91%), Southern Province 90.5%, Western Province 88.4%, while City of Kigali ranked last with 87%.

With every Rwandan obliged to participate, Umuganda value has increased from Rwf12 billion in 2012 to Rwf19 billion this year.

Over 400 micro finance institutions commonly known as Umurenge Sacco and 11,000 classrooms have been constructed, raising Rwanda's school enrollment above 95%.

Read the full article here: http://ktpress.rw/what-value-does-umuganda-bring-to-rwanda-3064/

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SOURCE KT Press