Rwanda Law Journal

Dear Esteemed Readers,  I am glad to introduce Issue No. 3 of the Rwanda Law Journal hosted by the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD).

This third issue consists of 4 articles authored by five authors; namely Dr. Francois Xavier Kalinda, Dr. Pie Habimana who co-authored with Mr. Bosco Iyakaremye, Dr. Yves Sezirahiga and Dr. Tite Niyibizi.

Since this rather huge Project started in 2020, the ambition has been to have it unstoppable. So far; we are immensely grateful to contributors who are making this process consistent in the way that there is at least one issue each year. As noted with the previous issues, building the culture of writing and publishing is a long-term process. With the seeming desire among legal scholars to develop the legal sector in Rwanda, there are good reasons to have high expectations. The level of encouragement is increasing and sustaining this national forum to discuss legal issues affecting Rwanda through legal research that creates knowledge and disseminates is not an empty dream.

As such, and as the journal is growing older, the journal has started to attract the interest of international contributions to the point that its future is expected to be even brighter. However, much as that path is highly encouraged, the alarm for the Rwandan legal community to write and publish with this journal and have the spirit of keeping the journal alive will keep ringing. Likewise, the call to national, regional and international institutions that employ jurists to play an enabling role in the process to contribute to this journal in one way or another remains more than ever open. The future of this Journal is placed in the hands of every stakeholder.

I wish also to encourage co-authorship and interdisciplinarity. This will make the knowledge not go in one single direction and will provide an opportunity for mentorship by senior scholars to junior ones. There is also a need to enhance collaboration between academicians and practitioners to engage in such scientific endeavours. This helps to have challenge-driven research rather than limiting to solely theoretical researches that may not serve much of the practical purposes. That will also help to bolster partnership among stakeholders within the legal arena to support legal education in Rwanda. I will always strongly and passionately believe that legal education needs the role of everyone to be bettered and sustained through research.

At the publication of this issue, in addition to the pivotal role of the authors noted above, I wish to recognise that the process to have it published is possible thanks to a number of other individuals: First, I thank the reviewers who have passionately accepted to review all the articles submitted. Without their role, this process would not have reached this stage. Secondly, may the Editorial and advisory Boards also find my gratitude for their significant role in making the process successful.  Thirdly, my sincere gratitude also goes to NUFFIC through the Project “Justice for All through University and Professional Sustainable Service Delivery, Teaching and Training (JUST)” which supports ILPD and the University of Rwanda School of Law for its financial support.

Finally, special thanks go to the University of Rwanda and its School of Law for having allowed me to coordinate this process under the auspices of ILPD.

Assoc. Professor Etienne Ruvebana,

Chief Editor, School of Law; University of Rwanda