MPS WELCOMED IN NYARUGENGE DISTRICT

Last week, Nyarugenge District Officials welcomed a delegation of Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs, who were on a monitoring visit to assess the implementation of measures to alcoholism and drug abuse. They also visited initiatives that provide care and support to persons with disabilities and people living with mental health conditions.

After discussions with the District leadership, the delegation that was made up of Hon. Karemera Emmanuel, Hon. Kalisa Jean Sauveur, and Hon. Uwababyeyi Jeannette visited Kimisagara Sector. In Kimisagara Sector, they visited TURWUBAKE Cooperative, a luggage porter cooperative operating at Nyabugogo Bus Terminal. The cooperative has 113 members, including 45 former rehabilitation center beneficiaries.

During the visit, the Members of Parliament held discussions with the cooperative members, focusing on the following:

• Reviewing members' rehabilitation and transformation journey—from lives previously affected by substance abuse to becoming responsible and productive citizens.
• Raising awareness on drug abuse prevention, including the commonly used drugs, where they are obtained, the harmful effects of drug use, and strategies to eradicate the problem.
• Listening to testimonies from former drug users, highlighting their lives before and after overcoming addiction.
• Agreeing on measures to strengthen the fight against drug abuse within the community.