About the Senate

The mandate of the Rwanda Parliament is to legislate and oversee the Executive action for and on behalf of the people of Rwanda.
The Senate has particular responsibilities of monitoring the application of fundamental principles, monitoring the functioning of political organizations, approving the appointment of Officials and providing opinions on the State finance bill.

Overview

The Senate is composed of twenty-six (26) members serving for a term of five (5) years renewable only once and at least thirty per cent (30 %) of them are women. The twenty-six 26 members include:

  • 12 senators elected by the specific councils in accordance with the administrative entities;
  • 8 senators appointed by the President of the Republic;
  • 4 senators designated by the Forum of Political organizations;
  • 1 senator elected among lecturers and researchers of Public Universities and higher learning institutions;
  • 1 senator elected among lecturers and researchers of Private Universities and higher learning institutions

In addition, former Heads of State become members of the Senate upon request and they must have honourably completed their terms of office or voluntarily resigned from office (article 80 and 81 of the Constitution). 

The Senate is composed of the following organs:

Plenary Assembly:

The Plenary Assembly is composed of all Senators. It is the supreme and a decision making organ.

Conference of the Chairpersons:

The Conference of Chairpersons is composed of the Bureau of the Senate and Bureaus of the Standing Committees and the Bureau of the Committee in charge of Assessment of the Senate’s Activities, Senators’ Conduct and Immunity. It meets once a month and whenever necessary in attendance of at least three-fifths (3/5) of its members. It is convened and chaired by the President of the Senate or his/her deputy in case of his/her absence. 

  • The Bureau of the Senate: The Bureau is composed  of the President and two (2) Vice Presidents, one responsible for Parliamentary Affairs and another responsible for Finance and Administration.
  • Standing Committees: The Standing Committee is an organ whereby matters are preliminarily examined and put on the agenda of the Plenary Assembly. Each Standing Committee has its responsibilities. The Senate is comprised of four (4) Standing committees.
  • The Committee in charge of Assessment of the Senate’s Activities, Senators’ Conduct and Immunity: The Committee in charge of Assessment of the Senate's Activities, Senators' Conduct and Immunity is composed of five (5) members elected by the Plenary Assembly. The Committee is responsible for the Assessment of the Senate’s Activities, Senators’ conduct whether in or out of the Senate. In its daily activities, the Committee makes recommendations to the Plenary Assembly demonstrating the weaknesses and strengths in the functioning of the Senate by suggesting the way forward for the improvement of the service delivery in the Senate.
  • Office of the Clerk: The above-mentioned organs are technically supported by the administration under the direct supervision of the Clerk.  Administrative departments of the Senate are organised in Directorates-General and are under the responsibility of the Clerk.