NUDOR launches inclusive cars to facilitate public transport for persons with disabilities

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR) in partnership with various faith-based organizations and the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) has officially launched two brand new-minibuses that will facilitate transport for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.

The launch of these facilities took place in Kigali on August 11, 2022, bringing together various partners.

The cars were donated to CARITAS of Diocese of Kabgayi to respond to the transport problem of transport for PWDs.

Each of the cars has the capacity of six seats plus an additional space that can host more than five PWDs in wheelchairs.

Eugene Twagirimana, NUDOR National Coordinator of Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBR) said that the cars are not “cars for persons with disabilities” but, cars that facilitate transport for PWDs.

The CBR Program is currently sponsored by the Netherland’s Liliane Fonds Organization in different humanitarian activities focusing on children healthcare, education and advocacy in promoting children rights.

“These cars were provided by the Netherland’s organization called MIVA and arrived in Rwanda in September 2021 that partners with Liliane Fonds. We did the project through a call for proposals and we contributed 25 percent of the total cost of these cars. Each of the cars worth Euros 40,500 and the beneficiary had to own Euros 10,000. We did all possible to have tax exoneration but the process delayed due to regulation authorities working processes. MINECOFIN and MININFRA helped us to negotiate tax exoneration as the taxes for one car was Rwf21million.” Twagirimana said.

There are now three cars that facilitate PWDs in the county, one is in Nyarugenge district at Bernardine Sisters, another in Kabgayi and another in Gakenke district.

Twagirimana said that such cars should be under the government’s planning so that they help many PWDs.

The Ministry of Infrastructure used the same cars during the recent Common Wealth Heads of States and Governments Meeting in Kigali and the guests appreciated their service according to Fabrice Barisanga, the Director General in charge of transport in the Ministry of Infrastructures.

“Today we are welcoming these inclusive cars, it is a good initiative to foster inclusive transport for both non-disabled and persons with disabilities. The move is under the country’s vision to promote safe transport for all. This is the beginning and we believe that other partners are encouraged to bring more buses as such to facilitate inclusive public transport.” Barisanga said.

“I thank the partners who provided these cars and the same cars were used to transport the guests who attended the recent CHOGM meeting, they facilitated the guests with disabilities and left a good image of our country.” He added, noting that MININFRA will continue to collaborate and facilitate more partners who will wish to bring more inclusive cars for the public transport purpose.

This launch followed a stakeholder meeting at the national level including line ministries and affiliated institutions, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and various partners of NUDOR.

Father Innocent Mutabazi, president of CARTAS of Kabgayi Diocese said that these cars will be used to help all the PWDs nationwide following the requests of those who need to use them.