The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies
The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies consists of the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the two Deputy Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies. One of the Deputy Speakers is responsible for parliamentary affairs and the other is responsible for administration and finance.
Responsibilities of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies
Responsibilities of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies
(1) The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies draws up guidelines governing the functioning of organs of the Chamber of Deputies.
(2) More specifically, the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies has the following responsibilities:
(a) to head the activities of the Chamber of Deputies;
(b) to implement the decisions of the Plenary Assembly and those of the Conference of Chairpersons;
(c) to prepare the draft agenda proposal for the agenda to be considered by the Plenary Assembly during the ordinary session;
(d) to prepare the proposal for the agenda of the extraordinary session;
(e) to adopt the draft agenda of the Plenary Assembly;
(f) to coordinate the partnership between the Chamber of Deputies and other institutions;
(g) to consider the draft proposal of the organisational structure of the Chamber of Deputies and submit it to the Conference of Chairpersons;
(h) to coordinate activities of Standing Committees;
(i) to coordinate activities of networks and forums as well as national chapters of international networks and forums operating in the Chamber of Deputies;
(j) to coordinate parliamentary diplomacy affairs;
(k) to prepare the agenda of the Conference of Chairpersons;
(l) to approve members of Standing Committees in accordance with the provisions of this Organic Law;
(m) to ensure coordination between responsibilities of the Chamber of Deputies and activities of the office of the Clerk to the Chamber of Deputies;
(n) to designate Deputies to be sent on an official mission abroad;
(o) to perform such other duties of the Chamber of Deputies which are not under the responsibility of any other service.
The Speaker of Chamber of Deputies
Rt. Hon. KAZARWA Gertrude
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
Right Honorable Kazarwa Gertrude, is the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Rwanda since August 14th 2024.
From October 2019 to July 2024, Hon. Kazarwa Gertrude was the Managing Director and Founder of Bright Stars Foundation Academy School.
From September 2014 to September 2019, she was a Senator and was elected by Senators as Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs and Good Governance.
She worked in World Vision International Rwanda from June 2005 to September 2014 in different positions in Finance Department. In 2011 she worked in ULK as Part time Lecturer.
Hon. Kazarwa holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Administration (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management (the Netherlands), a Bachelor’s degree of Law from the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) and a Bachelor’s degree in Management from the Kigali Independent University (ULK). Certified in Court Mediation she holds a Diploma from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD).
Deputy Speakers
Hon. UWINEZA Beline
Deputy Speaker in charge of parliamentary affairs
Honorable UWINEZA Beline is the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in charge of Parliamentary Affairs since August 14th 2024.
She is an experienced legal professional and public official with a Master of Public International Law, a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice and Development from ILPD.
From 2018 to 2024, she was a Member of Parliament, serving in key roles such as Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee and Chairperson of the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP).
Before her legislative work, she contributed to legal and anti-corruption efforts at Transparency International Rwanda in various capacities from 2011 to 2018.
Her early career included coordinating Gacaca Courts' activities in the Eastern Province (2004-2011) and serving as a “parajuriste” at IBUKA Organization (1999-2003).
Hon. HARERIMANA Mussa Fazil
Deputy Speaker in charge of administration and finance
Honorable Musa Fazil HARERIMANA has been the Deputy Speaker in charge of Finance and Administration in the Chamber of Deputies since August 14th, 2024.
Before his reelection, Hon. Harerimana held the same position during the 4th Legislature. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
He has also held several important roles in the Rwandan government. He served as Minister of Internal Security for 10 years (2006–2016), Governor of the Western Province, and Prefect of the former Cyangugu Prefecture from 2003 to 2006.
Hon. Harerimana is the Chairperson of the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI). He also served as a Member of the National Commission of Unity and Reconciliation (2002–2006), Technical Advisor to the Department of Gacaca Courts at the Supreme Court, and Vice-President of the National Electoral Commission from 2000 to 2003.