Xavier Karekezi, a farmer in the middle of rural Nyaruguru district, has just reached his maximum retirement age of 65. He is receiving his full pension after two years of saving in “Ejo Heza.”
Last August, Xavier Karekezi, from Kavumu hill, Rusenge cell, Rusenge sector, Nyaruguru district, received a sum of 50,219 Frw equivalent to his contributions from 2020 to 2021. That is to say 30,000 Frw, to which must be added the contribution of the Rwandan government of 20,129 Frw. He was classified in the 2nd category of the socio-economic system “Ubudehe.”
After receiving this sum, Karekezi said he was very satisfied with the programme. He asked his wife, Odette Mukambabazi, 52 years old, to take over.
“At the age of 65, I wanted to rehabilitate our house. It was too small for our family,” he says. “Last July, I wrote a letter asking for my full two-year pension. Two weeks later, I received it, together with the state contribution, for a total of 50,129 Frw,” he says. “As a result, my wife, who is younger than me, since she is currently 52 years old, took over. Today, she has just saved 10,000 Frw,” he says. “My wife and I have become convinced mobilisers since we are beneficiaries,” says Karekezi, very sure of himself.
Odette Mukambabazi, a new member, would like the state’s contribution to continue at least until 2025. It should normally stop with this budget year 2021/2022.
Mukambabazi also believes that more awareness is needed among the rural population. “Many people are still unaware of the existence of this ‘Ejo Heza’ savings scheme,” she says.
The same feelings of satisfaction with the savings scheme are echoed by Evariste Nkurikiyinka, aged 75, from Mata sector. He received his full pension and the state’s contribution last August, after a year of membership.
Innocent Munyaneza, from the Rusenge sector, will soon receive a life insurance payment of 1 million Rwf and funeral expenses worth 250,000 Rwf for his wife, a former member of Ejo Heza, who died last July.
An opportunity to seize with both hands
The provisional mayor of Nyaruguru district, Janvier Gashema, invites the whole population to join this very beneficial programme.
“The “Ejo Heza” savings plan is a programme aimed at protecting a large part of the population, especially those in the informal sector. The aim is to ensure a secure and dignified old age for its members,” says Mayor Gashema.
“I therefore call on everyone to join because the contributions are in good hands,” reassures Mayor Gashema.
Ejo Heza is an inclusive long-term savings scheme initiated in 2018 and sponsored by the Rwandan government. The interest rate applied is 10% when the withdrawal is made at maturity.
This mode of saving targets both salaried and non-salaried people, young and old, nationals and foreigners living in Rwanda. It also contributes to economic growth by reducing poverty. It enables the population to achieve a higher standard of living. It was established by law number 29/2017 of 29 June 2017.
According to Mayor Gashema, for the budget year 2020/2021, the total savings reached 520 million Rwandan francs. For the first quarter of the current year, the savings already exceeded 100 million Rwandan francs. Currently, Nyaruguru district has over 48,000 members. It is in 3rd position at the national level.
Domice Gasarabwe & Gerard Rugambwa
