President Paul Kagame has said that Rwandans we must rely on our homegrown solutions to address their challenges.
Kagame was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Judicial year 2012/2013 at the Parliamentary building in Kigali.
He added that Rwandans should work hard in order to prevent themselves from the aid trap.
“We are not short of places or agreements on rules for aid but if you think they respect you or rules, you are deceived” He said.
“Rwandans, you should not accept to be victims…you must work to improve your life no one else will do it for you” Kagame notted adding that Rwandans should do their best and get the best out of very little they have in their hands. “Let’s continue to be decent people” He urged.
Past judicial year saw an increase in cases handled by court, creation of e-filing system and first internationally transferred case to Rwanda.
Over 80,000 cases were handled in the past judicial year 2011/2012.
President Paul Kagame commended previous achievements while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of a MP, the Ombudsman and the Army Chief of Staff.
Clothilde Mukakarangwa took oath of office as Member of Parliament before the head of state and other government officials.
Aloysie Cyanzaire has taken Oath of Office as the new Ombudsman.
Maj. Gen. Frank MUSHYO KAMANZI, has taken Oath of Office as Army Chief of Staff.
They pledged to fulfill their responsibility and work for the consolidation of national unity adding they will never use power entrusted to them for personal gains.
Martin Ngoga, the Prosecutor General, said that during previosu Judicial Year, Rwanda issued 146 international arrest warrants for fugitives who are in more than 20 countries.”
Ngoga added that they have addressed challenge of case backloads and resolved all 35,000 cases last year.
He added that Frw201 Million embezzled by Government officials was returned to Government coffers.
President of the Bar Association Athanase Mutabingwa said that Rwanda has established a permanent legal assistance program for vulnerable groups.
The country has built a Genocide Fugitive Database with more than 600 entries currently.
Ngoga noted that the use of technology include video conference testimonies and online access to one’s personal judicial records helped in speeding up activities.
More than 80,000 cases in last judicial year were completed.
“Current statistics and international rankings show that Rwandans have trust in their judicial system,” The Chief Justice Prof. Samuel Rugege said.
Prof. Rugege added that Transparency international survey shows 80% of Rwandans believe justice is administered fairly.
He reminded that World Economic Forum Competitiveness report ranks Rwanda 25th in independence of judiciary.
“We need to reinforce grassroots mediation structures to support our ordinary courts,” Prof.Rugege said.
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