Kigali: On October 10, 2019, eighteen (18) Senators will have completed their eight-year term of office, as provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015.
Since 2011, when the second Senate started, eighteen (18) Senators have now concluded their eight-year in the Senate while for six (6) others, the term will come to end next year. The said Senators are Hon. Uyisenga Charles, Hon.Uwimana Consolée, Hon. Mukakalisa Jeanne D’Arc, Hon. Kalimba Zephrin, Hon. Karangwa Chrysologue, and Hon. Nyagahura Margaret.
In the course of this term, two Senators did not serve their entire term of office and were not replaced because the remaining period of their term was less than one year. Those are Hon. Sezibera Richard appointed to other official position and Hon. Bishagara Kagoyire Thérèse who passed away.
During the same term, the Senate, under its mandate to represent the people, received and processed petitions presented by Rwandans requesting the amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04 July 2003. The Senate approved the relevance of those petitions, which were subsequently voted in the referendum held in 2015.
As regards fundamental principles specified in Article 10 and provisions of Article 56 and 57 of the Constitution, the second Senate accomplished 13 activities aimed to monitor the application of all fundamental principles. This activity was carried out through field tours across the country reaching out to the local community and their leaders. Still, on the same duty of monitoring the application of fundamental principles, the Senate held meetings with members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda as it travelled to head offices of all political organisations to meet their leaders.
Furthermore, regarding the monitoring of application of fundamental principles, the Senate published the findings of two studies, namely, (1) the Study on the Application of Fundamental Principle of Constant Quest for Solutions through Dialogue and Consensus and (2) the Study on Denial and Revisionism of the Genocide against the Tutsi and Possible Responsive Strategies: case of acts of denial and revisionism committed outside Rwanda.
Discharging its legislative duty, the Senate voted 270 laws comprised of 129 covering good governance affairs, 98 related to economic matters and 43 in the field of social affairs.
For the same period, the Senate concluded 55 oversight activities and held 33 sessions of consultation with Cabinet members.
Regarding the senatorial responsibility of approving the appointment of Government officials, the Senate approved 254 appointments of officials among them commissioners in various National Commissions; top officials in public entities; Governors of Provinces; President and Vice-President of the Supreme Court; other Judiciary officials, judges, and diplomatic representatives.
In its capacity of representative of the people, the Senate received and handled complaints filed by citizens and made recommendations referred to relevant authorities. The Senate held public awareness campaigns about community development programmes and joined the local community in community work (umuganda) held every last Saturday of the month or organised for other occasions.
As far as parliamentary diplomacy is concerned, Senators carried out a number of tours in different countries and attended international conferences which offered them opportunities to portray the genuine profile of Rwanda in all sectors. In the same regard, the Senate hosted numerous guests including Speakers of parliamentary assemblies, MPs, cabinet members from across the World as well as diplomatic representatives of foreign countries and international organisations. (End)