Rwanda’s Green Party Expands Grassroots Structures in Gicumbi
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) has expanded its grassroots structures in Gicumbi District, establishing sector-level leadership committees in Nyankenke and Byumba sectors as it seeks to strengthen its presence and participation at the community level.
The structures were established on Sunday, September 6, during meetings and training sessions that brought together party members to discuss the party’s advocacy activities, environmental protection, peace and security, as well as the role of members in promoting the party’s image within their communities.
The exercise included elections for representatives to serve on sector party committees, women’s committees and youth committees.
According to the party, the elections are intended to strengthen inclusive leadership and encourage greater participation of women and young people in its political activities. The invitation to the event said the process was also aimed at strengthening democratic governance within the party.
Speaking to party members, DGPR President Dr. Frank Habineza highlighted what he described as some of the party’s key advocacy achievements, particularly in land and healthcare.
On land, Habineza said the party had advocated for a reduction in the land tax, which he said was reduced from Rwf300 to Rwf80.
In healthcare, he pointed to changes in the Mutuelle de Santé system, saying people who register and pay their health insurance contributions can now begin accessing healthcare services without having to wait 30 days as was previously the case.
Habineza also urged party members to understand the Green Party’s ideology and values and to reflect them through their daily conduct and engagement with communities.
Party members urged to build Green Party’s image
The role of party members in shaping the public image of the Green Party was also a major focus of the training.
Theoneste Dusabyimana, who addressed members on the subject, highlighted several areas where the party has engaged in advocacy, including calls for improved teachers’ salaries and support for school feeding programmes and other initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.
He urged members to conduct themselves responsibly in their communities and workplaces, arguing that the party’s image should be reflected through positive actions and service to citizens.
Dusabyimana also encouraged members to use social media to communicate the party’s activities, ideas and positions to a wider audience.
He further called on party members to actively participate in government programmes and community activities, including Umuganda and elections, as a way of contributing to the country’s development.
Women urged to take lead in environmental protection
Environmental protection was another central theme of the training, with Claudine Uwimana, who leads the Green Party’s Women’s League in Gicumbi District, highlighting the role women can play in protecting natural resources.
Uwimana urged women to become role models in environmental cleanliness and conservation, particularly in protecting resources such as water, forests, fruit trees and other natural assets that support communities.
Young people were also urged to play an active role in maintaining peace and security.
Viateut Biramahire, who leads the Green Party’s Youth League in Gicumbi District, spoke to young members about their responsibility in promoting peace and contributing to initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of communities and the country.
He encouraged young people to participate in efforts to build safe communities characterized by understanding, cooperation and solidarity.
The training sessions concluded with elections for new leaders of the party’s sector-level committees, as well as representatives of the Women’s League and Youth League.
In each sector, 33 people were elected to different leadership positions, according to information from the party.
The newly elected leaders are expected to continue implementing party activities at the grassroots level, engage with residents, encourage party members to participate in development activities and promote the Green Party’s programmes and values.
The Gicumbi exercise comes after the party recently established its sector-level structures in Burera District, where structures were set up across 17 sectors.
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