Rwanda | Nyaruguru district: Ruheru sector accords Rwf 13 million to Agaciro Development Fund
In an open-day ceremony held on Friday at the premises of Ruheru sector in Nyaruguru district, Southern Rwanda, the leadership of Ruheru sector revealed that they have so far contributed Rwf 13,528,000 (about 23,000$) to Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF) and promised that more money is yet to willingly trickle in thanks to better sensitization strategies.
According to Augustin Nsanzimfura, Executive Secretary of Ruheru sector, the money is a result of “willing contributions” from individual people, working entities and partners operating in Ruheru sector.
The Ruheru sector’s contributions to AgDF come as no surprise.
On August 31, when between 450 and 500 people willingly pledged Rwf 244,638,835 (an estimated 407,731$) on the spot as AgDF got launched at the Nyaruguru district level, it was already predictable that more cash would filter in as sensitization methods get enhanced, in this district where figures point to an about 270,000 population (the figure is likely change following this year’s population and housing census).
Officials at the country’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) say the money collected under AgDF will be channeled into the Ministry’s coffers and, to quote one of the staffs there, Jean Damascène Bizumuremyi, “The money will be kept as it is the case for other budget money and a thorough audit will be carried out on a yearly basis”.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame officially launched AgDF (“Agaciro” means “Dignity” in the local Kinyarwanda language) on August 23 during an event held at Kigali Serena Hotel, an event relayed live on the state radio and TV.
Rwandan officials say the idea to start up the Fund was already in the pipeline and dates back to the 2011 Government retreat where its initial name was thought as “Solidarity Fund”.
The same Rwandan officials have consistently upheld that AgDF does not have anything to do with bridging the gap following some Western powers’ aid cut and aid suspension as a result of a UN Group of Experts’ report accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel movement operating in
the conflict-torn Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, allegations that Rwanda vehemently denies.
