Governor| Province

Dr. Ephraim Kabaija | Eastern Province

Boniface Rucagu | Northern Province

| Western Province

Fidele NDAYISABA| Southern Province

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Full information about the Presidency is available on the President's section of this website.
Contact details: P.O. BOX 15, Kigali, Rwanda
Tel. (250) 08182000, 59062000, 08182105, 59062105

Fax. (250) 584390

website: www.presidency.gov.rw

Email: presidency@gov.rw


OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Contact details: Tel. (250) 85444, 84648
Fax. (250) 583714

website: www.primature.gov.rw


MINISTRY OF HEALTH

www.moh.gov.rw

The Ministry of Health is committed to improve and provide quality and sustainable health services to the entire Rwandan Population.

The priority areas are to provide access to treatment through universal coverage health insurance (Mutuelles de Santé ), to enhance public health services, to address the major traditional problems of health as well as the new challenges set by the pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

Contact details: P.O. BOX 84 , Kigali , Rwanda
Tel: (250) 577458

MINISTRY OF LANDS, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY, WATER AND MINES

1. Phone number: (250) 58 26 28 / 58 26 23
Fax number: (250) 58 26 29

2. Sectoral policy

A. The mission statement
The mission statement of the ministry of Lands, Human Resettlement and Environmental Protection (MINITERE) consists of insuring a rational management of lands, favouring the development of viable human settlement and taking care of the conservation and protection of the environment in view of a sustainable human development.

So, MINITERE provides its services to the population, the public and private sector, and to the different development partners.

The fulfilment of its mission is assured through:
- the elaboration of policies and laws regarding lands, human settlements and environmental protection ;
- the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of policies and laws regarding lands, human settlements and environmental protection ;
- the preparation and supervision of management programmes for lands, human settlements and environmental protection.

For providing it services, the MINITERE leans up on the values of equity, effectiveness and efficiency as well as the strict respect for the environment.

B. Objectives and Programmes

a) Objective 1: To ensure a rational management of land ressources able to promote sustainable human development;
Programme 1: Planning and management of lands.

b) Objective 2: To ensure the human settlements in terms of viability and sustainable human development;
Programme 2: Planning and supervision of human settlements.

c) Objective 3: To ensure the conservation and the protection of the environment in view of sustainable human development;
Programme 3: conservation and protection of the environment.

d) Objective 4: To guarantee the best functioning of the ministry;
Programme 4: Management and support services.

2. Major Projects under MINITERE

* AFRICOVER Project
Objective: Elaboration of land cover mapping in East-Africa.

* Soil Center of Rwanda Project
Objective: - Production of soil types of maps, land capabilities, and soil fertility.
- Soil physical and chemical analyses;
- Giving advises and support to different land users.

* Master plan of allocation and utilisation of Lands Project
Objective: - Land classification and allocation according to its capacity;
- Land allocation and utilisation maps.

* Support in Resettlement of Refugees Project (FAC 97001500)
Objective: Resettlement and reinsertion of refugees;
Rehabilitation of socio-economic fabric.

* Urgent Urban resettlement of returnees project (RWA/95/B22)
Objective : To find solutions to housing problems in Kigali and Butare.

* Natural Resources Protection Project / Akagera National Park (PRORENA / PNA)
Objective: Management and protection of Akagera National Park

. 5. Main Development Partners

- World Bank
- French Cooperation
- DFID (UK Department for International Development)
- FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation)
- GTZ (German Technical Cooperation)
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commission of Refugees)
- UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
- SHELTER AFRICA
- UNICEF (United Nations Children. s Fund)


MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL RESOURCES 

1. a) Telephone numbers of the Ministry

i. 585008 : General
ii. 585053 : Minister
iii. 586104 : Minister of State
iv. 584644 : Secretary- General
b) Fax numbers

i. 585057 : Minister
ii.5 87038 : Minister of State
iii. 584644 : Secretary-General

2. The sectoral policy of the ministry aims at developing agriculture in such a way as to contribute towards attaining food security and increasing farmers. revenues.


The mission of MINAGRI

- To develop, initiate and administer programs for transformation and modernisation of Rwandan Agriculture.
- To develop and promote appropriate systems to enhance and improve agricultural marketing especially through better storage and produce processing.
- To develop and manage programs to promote and improve animal production including fisheries so as to give it a paramount role in the national economy and welfare of the population.

In order to achieve the above mentioned mission, the following strategies are implemented:

- Intensification of Agriculture using improved methods of crop and animal husbandry in order to increase productivity;
- Professionalisation of Agriculture; To carry out farming as profession rather than a way of life;
- Rational utilisation of soil and water ;
- Market . Oriented farming . rather than for subsistence;
- Strengthening of research and extension.

3. Institutions and parastatal bodies under MINAGRI

- National Research Institute (ISAR);
- Coffee Board (OCIR-CAFÉ);
- Tea Board (OCIR-THE)

4. The main Projects and their objectives:

a. Gikongoro Development Agriculture Project (PDAG);
b. Buberuka Rural Development Project (PGERB):
c. Umutara Development Project (PDM);
d. Byumba Agriculture Development Project (DRB II);
e. Butare South East Socio-Economic Development Project (BSE);
f. Food Security Support Project (PASAR).

g. Urgent Agricultural Activities Support Project,

The main objective of the above projects is to contribute towards food security through increased agricultural productivity as well as increased farm incomes of the rural population.

h. Seed Sector Support Project (ASSR);

The objective is to produce certified seeds and coordinate their multiplication diffusion to the farmers.

i. Forestry Rehabilitation and Reconstitution (PRRB)

The main objective is to rehabilitate damaged forests and to plant new trees in designated zones.

j. Rural and Agricultural Markets Development.

The objective is:
§ To intensify agriculture by utilising modern input through supporting the private sector;
§ To import and distribute inputs to farmers so as to increase production and farmer. s incomes

The specific objectives are:
§ To facilitate farmers to have access to agricultural inputs through credit;
§ To offer technical services concerning the utilisation of those inputs;
§ To promote a sustainable system of distribution and utilisation of inputs;
§ To promote investments in agricultural marketing by the private sector.

5. Main development partners are:
FAO, USAID, World Bank, UNDP, EU, PAM, CARE INTERNATIONAL, WORLD VISION,ACTION NORD SUD, ACCORD, CSR.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COOPERATION

Address: Boulevard de la Révolution
Telephone: (250) 574522, 575379, 575737
Fax: (250) 572904
Email : minafet1@rwanda1.com
P.O. Box 179 Kigali, RWANDA.

¨ Office of the Minister :

· Secretary Tel.575339
· Personal Assistant Tel.577652

¨ Office of the Secretary-General :

Tel.577653
· Central Secretariat Division
· Code and Diplomatic Bag Division Tel.576457, Fax 572904
· Communication Division

¨ Directorate of Bilateral Relations:

Tel. 574679
· Europe Division
· America Division
· Africa and Middle-East Division
· Asia and Oceania Division

Directorate of International Organisations and Conferences:

Tel. 575341
· UN and UN Agencies Division
· OAU and African sub-regional
Organisations Division
· Other International Organisations
· Conferences Division
¨ Directorate of State Protocol:

Tel.575830
Fax 573797
· Ceremonials and Visits Division Tel.575386
· Privileges and Immunity Division
· Legal Affairs Division

¨ Directorate of Consular and Diplomatic Missions:

Tel. 573785
· Consular and Diplomatic
Missions Administration Division
Consular and Diplomatic
Missions Inspection Division
¨ Directorate of General Services:

Tel.572902
· Finance and Administrastion Division Tel.574695
· Human Resources Division
· Studies, Computer and Planning Division


MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC PLANNING

Full information about the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning is available on the Economy section of this website.
Contact details: Tel. (250) 575756, 575113, 574785
Fax. (250) 577581, 575719


MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Full information about the Ministry of Justice is available on the Justice and Genocide section of this website.
Contact details: Tel. (250) 586561,5 86398, 585844
Fax. (250)5 86509, 587051


MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, GOOD GOVERNANCE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Contact details: Tel. (250) 585406, 583170
Fax. (250) 582228


MINISTRY FOR INTERNAL SECURITY

Contact details: Tel. (250) 585477
Fax. (250) 584373,5 83170


MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT PROMOTION, TOURISM  AND COOPERATIVES

Contact details: Tel. (250) 574725, 574734
Fax. (250) 575465


MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH

Contact details: Tel. (250) 583051, 583854
Fax. (250) 582162


MINISTRY FOR YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE

Contact details: Tel. (250) 583527,5 83525
Fax. (250) 583518


MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Contact details: Tel. (250) 577942
Fax. (250) 576969


MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Contact details: Tel. (250) 585503, 586623
Fax. (250) 585755


MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND LABOUR

Contact details: Tel. (250) 585714,5 82218
Fax. (250) 583374


MINISTRY OF GENDER AND FAMILY PROMOTION

Contact details: Tel. (250) 577626, 577203
Fax. (250) 577543



ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY

The government of national unity of the Republic of Rwanda was established on July 19th 1994. Two weeks earlier the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA), now Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) had taken control of Kigali and put an end to the genocide that had been planned and executed by the MRND government of Juvenal Habyarimana.

The 1994 genocide resulted in the violent deaths of one million people. Earlier cycles of genocide had occurred, claiming tens of thousands of lives, but failed to attract any interest or concern from the international community. Each life lost over three decades of oppression and genocide represented unfulfilled dreams and the betrayed hope of the people of Rwanda in their leaders and the international community.

The government of national unity inherited a deeply scarred nation where trust within and between communities had been replaced by fear and betrayal, whose economy had ground to a complete halt, where social services were not functioning, and public confidence in the state had been shattered. Almost the entire nation was either internally displaced or had been forced to flee to neighbouring countries by the perpetrators of the genocide.

It was with these enormous challenges that the Government of National Unity set about rebuilding the social, political and economic fabric of Rwanda. Some of the achievements and challenges of the Government are listed below.


GOOD GOVERNANCE

The Government of National Unity is committed to ensuring good governance at all levels of public administration. Laws have been passed by the Transitional National Assembly that create checks against the abuse of executive power, mismanagement and corruption. This is a marked departure from the 1962-1994 era.

Institutions have been created and given constitutional powers with which to ensure accountability and transparency. These institutions include the National Tender Board which ensures transparency in the award of government tenders; the Office of Auditor-General which audits all government accounts and expenditure; the Rwanda Revenue Authority which is a semi-autonomous body charged with tax collection.

In addition, the Transitional National Assembly has been empowered as never before to take up its role as a check against the abuse of power, corruption and mismanagement. Government ministers must justify their ministry budgets and account for expenditure to the national assembly.

A Human Rights Commission has also been established to investigate and take action against allegations of human rights violations by the central or local governments and individuals. Given the painful history of Rwanda where violations of human rights and impunity were the rule rather than the exception, the government of national unity has set out to guarantee the rights and liberties of all citizens.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The security situation in Rwanda was extremely unstable in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Almost the entire population was displaced, creating a volatile situation inside the country. Remnants of the murderous Interahamwe and ex-FAR (former Rwandan army) roamed the country looting property and harassing, raping and killing survivors of the genocide. On the western border, the ex-FAR and Interahamwe carried out cross-border attacks on a daily basis from the DRC. The Prefectures of Gisenyi and Ruhengeri were so badly affected by insurgency between 1994-8 that normal economic and social activity had ground to a halt.

When the government of national unity took office in July 1994, it immediately set out to establish peace and security in all parts of the country. Peace and security were to underpin the political, economic and social recovery of post-genocide Rwanda.

With the exception of Ruhengeri and Gisenyi, peace and security was restored to all other parts of the country by September 1994. The security situation remained volatile in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi because ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia continued to make cross-border attacks from their refugee settlements in the DRC (then Zaire).

When the refugee settlements were dismantled the security situation improved slightly. However, it was only when the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA), now RDF began operations to seek and destroy Interahamwe and ex-FAR bases in the DRC in 1998 that peace and security were fully restored. The two Prefectures have been totally peaceful now since the last quarter of 1998.

The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) has politicized, re-trained and absorbed 15,000 officers and men from the ex-FAR. Recruitment into the army is carried out on the basis of merit. Recruits are drawn from all parts of the country and all ethnic groups. The RDF also has active programmes for rehabilitation of casualties and demobilization. Those due for demobilization are given intensive courses in carpentry, tailoring and animal husbandry at a school in Nyagatare, Mutara. They are also given financial packages to enable them start small businesses and lead productive lives in the community.

The RDF maintains a high standard of discipline and ensures that its officers and men are well trained and equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead for Rwanda. Currently RDF is involved in peace keeping missions in Darfur and Khartoum in Sudan on behalf of the African Union and United Nations respectively. This is a sign of confidence in the ability of the Rwandan Defence Forces by the international community.


UNITY AND RECONCILIATION

Rwanda has had a troubled past caused by internal division. It all began when the colonial administration divided the society along ethnic lines in order to weaken it and thereby make its dominance possible. The post-colonial Kayibanda and Habyarimana administrations intensified this policy of divide and rule, and devised policies to marginalize and disenfranchise large sections of the community.

Upon assuming office, the Government of National Unity began the challenging task of reversing the effects of decades of division. A national commission charged with the responsibility of educating and mobilizing the population for unity and reconciliation was established in 1998. Since then, the Unity and Reconciliation Commission has conducted seminars, debates and courses across the country aimed at fostering these ideals and re-building confidence and trust within and between communities.

Rwanda has already begun harvesting the unity and reconciliation dividends. Across the country, rural and urban communities now live together in greater harmony and mutual respect than ever before. The March 1999 grassroots elections in which all Rwandans voted for leaders on the basis of merit not ethnicity, is a testament of the success of the unity and reconciliation programme.


JUSTICE AND GENOCIDE

The 1994 genocide was a carefully planned and executed exercise to annihilate sections of Rwanda. s population that did not agree with the prevailing extremist politics of the Habyarimana regime. One million lives were lost in only one hundred days. It is the fastest and most vicious genocide yet recorded in human history.

The Government of National Unity made it among its highest priorities to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes. Thousands have been arrested and await trial. Others have already been tried and were either released for lack of evidence or convicted and sentenced. It is pertinent to the reconciliation process that the people of Rwanda feel that justice has been done. There can be no reconciliation without justice.

The sheer bulk of prisoners and cases due for trial have placed severe strain on Rwanda. s criminal justice system which had already been crippled by the murder of professionals during the genocide. The Government of National Unity decided to ease pressure on the criminal justice system by categorizing genocide suspects according to the crimes they are accused of. Category 1, the planners and authors of the genocide numbering 2,133, will be tried in the conventional courts. Categories 2-4 where involvement was slightly less serious will be tried in traditional community courts or Gacaca courts. This new process will significantly speed up trials and sentencing, which if restricted to conventional courts would take over 200 years to complete.

The Gacaca courts also have the advantage of involving the community in the trial and sentencing process. The Government of National Unity believes that involving the population in the trials can also contribute significantly to reconciliation.

The government has also made it a priority to strengthen the criminal justice system. Special training has been provided to Magistrates and Judges, while courts around the country have been renovated. A national police force has been created and charged with civil security matters and criminal investigations.


DEMOCRATISATION

The Government of National Unity is committed to empowering the people of Rwanda to make policy-decisions and to become masters of their destiny. Despite decades of dictatorship, division and state-inspired violence against the people of Rwanda, they have eagerly embraced initiatives by the government to give power back to them.

In March 1999, grassroots elections were held across the country at the Cellule and Secteur levels. The elections were a great success. They demonstrated the success of the unity and reconciliation programme as people voted on the basis of merit, not ethnicity.

In March 2001, the democratization process will move up to the Commune. Officials at this level will be directly elected by the people for the first time in the history of Rwanda.

Rwanda will soon begin the process of drafting a new constitution. The constitution will be based on the views of the people. This will also be unprecedented in Rwanda. s history. In the past, constitutions were written by a handful of legal and political . experts. . Once the new constitution has been promulgated, general and presidential elections will be held.


ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Government of National Unity inherited an economy completely destroyed by genocide and mismanagement over three decades. Some regions had been deliberately prevented from realizing their economic potential for purely political reasons. Human resource development was also neglected.

The Government of National Unity immediately set out to create fiscal stability and economic growth. Inflation was brought down from 64% in 1994 to under 5% from 1998-2000. In 1994, annual fiscal revenues were ZERO while today they stand at nearly 70 billion Rwanda francs. The economy has grown steadily at an average of 11%, while gross domestic incomes have grown at an average of 14.3% per annum since 1995.

The government is also implementing structural adjustment programmes which aim to eliminate public sector inefficiency and waste, and strengthen the economy.

Most sectors of the economy have surpassed pre-war productivity levels. The main towns around the country have been experiencing an unprecedented construction boom, evidence of confidence in the economy by investors. Foreign direct investment from South African and the east African sub-region have also reached record highs.

The process of privatization of government enterprises has been underway since 1996. Forty-six (46) enterprises have been put up for privatization, and shareholding in another eighteen (18) enterprises will be sold. So far, twenty-five (25) have been sold to local or foreign investors. Another ten (10) enterprises in the banking, insurance, hotels and coffee and tea processing sectors are due for sale soon.

The government of national unity has also made it a priority to diversify Rwanda. s economic base. Enormous success has been achieved in the horticultural sector.


EDUCATION

Neglect of education by the colonial and post-colonial administrations has left Rwanda with one of the lowest skilled populations in the sub-region. In addition to this, an ethnic quota system for entry into schools and the university existed making access to education limited for sections of the population.

On entering office, the government of national unity immediately instituted meritocracy in the education system and put measures in place to address the country. s manpower incapacity.

Since 1994, the number of institutions for higher learning has gone up from one to six in 2000. The total number of students receiving higher education rose from 3,000 to just under 7,000. The number of university graduates between 1963 and 1993 was 2,160. Between 1995-2000, a period of just five years, the Government of National Unity has produced over 2,000 university graduates.

A former military college in the heart of Kigali has been transformed into a modern institute of science and technology. The new Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST) was established in 1997 to provide technical, skill-based training to 2,500 full and part-time students. The institute also hosts the African Virtual University and conducts business and entrepreneurship courses. Licenses and facilitation have been granted to other institutions and colleges to make more training opportunities available to the population.

The number of secondary schools in Rwanda increased more than 30-fold, from 10 in 1994 to 363 in 2000 while the number of students increased from about 3,000 to approximately 124,000, in the same period.

Similarly, from 1994 to 2000, the number primary schools increased more than one and a half times. The number of qualified teachers rose by 53% between 1994 and 2000. More resources have been made available to build new schools and to develop old ones. In addition, The Government of National Unity plans to introduce universal elementary education soon.

An examinations board has also been introduced to ensure fairness, transparency and uniformity in standards.

The Government of National Unity aims to create a highly skilled and productive workforce that will drive Rwanda towards industrialization and development in the years to come.


THE SUPREME COURT

Contact details: Tel. (250) 587407, 587408

The Supreme Court directs and coordinates the activities of the lower courts and tribunals in Rwanda. It is the highest court in the land, and is the guarantor of the independence of the judiciary. It also ensures that the professional code of ethics of the legal profession are upheld.

The Supreme Court ensures the constitutionality of laws and statutory orders before promulgation into law. It also makes decisions on appeals emanating from decisions from subordinate (lower) courts and administrative authorities.

The Supreme Court comprises five (5) sections. These are the Department of Courts and Tribunals, the Court of Appeals, the Constitutional Court, the Council of State and the Revenue Court.

Senior Officials of the Supreme Court:

President
Aloysia Cyanzayire

Vice-President 
Prof. Rugege Sam

Judges of the Supreme Court

Patricie Mukanyundo, Louis-Marie Mugenzi, Fedelite Kanyange, Therese Mukamulisa, Paul Ruyenzi, Jean Mutsinzi, Fabien Hatangimbabazi, Julien Havugiyaremye, Immaculee Nyirinkwaya, Jean Batiste  Mutashya, Desire Kayihura and Emily Rusera Kayitesi.

President-Gacaca Courts
Donatilla Mukantaganzwa

Prosecutor-General
Martin Ngoga

THE RWANDA DEFENSE FORCES (RDF)

Contact details: Tel. (250) 577947
Fax. (250) 577992

The Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) is the national army of the Republic of Rwanda. The RPA was established in 1990 by thousands Rwandan men and women who had, for three decades, been denied the right to live in their motherland. They were soon joined by other Rwandans who had faced years of persecution, marginalisation and genocide under the Kayibanda and Habyarimana regimes.

The RDF fought a guerrilla war against the Habyarimana regime between 1990-1994. Throughout this period, the Kigali government continued to wage campaigns of terror and intimidation against the population, resulting in increased support for the RDF. National unity, justice, reconciliation, equal rights and opportunity for all remain were, and still remain, the bases of RDF. s core principles and objectives.

After the 1994 genocide began, the RDF launched an offensive aimed at delivering Rwanda from genocide and oppression. On July 4th 1994, the RDF captured Kigali, ending decades of state- inspired genocide, division and tyranny.

Security threats to the people of Rwanda did not end. Thousands of Interahamwe militia and ex- FAR (defeated army that had participated in the Genocide) fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo where they launch repeated attacks on civilians in western Rwanda. By 1995, the security situation had deteriorated so badly that the population in parts of Ruhengeri and Gisenyi had to be temporarily relocated to more secure areas. Economic activity in these prefectures had almost ground to a halt as well.

The government of Rwanda made numerous unsuccessful requests to the government of late President Mobutu to control the Interahamwe and ex-FAR. However, it soon became clear that Mobutu was actively supporting the rebels in their activities aimed at creating instability in Rwanda.

The government of Rwanda took the decision to intervene in the situation in Zaire, resulting in removal from power of President Mobutu. His successor, Laurent Kabila soon betrayed his main allies . Rwanda and Uganda . by also remobilising, retraining and arming the Interahamwe and ex-FAR. This resulted in further insecurity and displacement in western Rwanda. Despite many pleas from Rwanda and mediators, Kabila continued his support for the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Having exhausted all diplomatic channels running for many months, Rwanda was compelled to intervene in the DRC in August 1998.

After the intervention of the RDF in eastern Congo, security quickly returned to western Rwanda. For the last one and a half years, there have been no major attacks on Rwanda from rebels in the DRC. Rwanda believes that this peace dividend demonstrates the legitimacy of its security concerns in the DRC.

Senior officials:

Head of State and Commander-in-Chief
H.E Paul Kagame

Minister for Defence
Marcel Gatsinzi (Gen. )

  Chief of Defense Staff
James Kabareebe (Gen.)

Army Chief of Staff

Charles Kayonga (LT. Gen.)

AirForce Chief of Staff (LT. Gen.)

 Charles  Muhire