GENERAL ASSEMBLY JULY 31ST 2009

The Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association held a general assembly on July 31st, at Alpha Palace Hotel.

Key on the agenda was the election of a new Management Committee.

In his opening remarks the President of the Chamber of Tourism, Mr. Emmanuel Rusera noted that although the Association had accomplished a number of achievements, the time had come to elect new leadership in order for the Association to thrive. He thanked the outgoing committee, giving special thanks to the President, Mr. Augustin Mukenzangabo, for his tireless contribution to the Association during his tenure.

In his speech, Mr. Mukenzagabo enumerated several of the association’s achievements, citing:

- The Association’s successful partnership with WDA (Rwanda Workforce Development Authority)

- Courses that had been held for RHRA members

- Certification meetings that had taken place with the Kigali City Council

- Mediation that had been held between hotel and restaurant owners and the Ministry of Health and other government bodies.

The outgoing president also made mention of goals that had not been attained and requested that the new Management Committee fulfill them. Some of these were:

- The issuing of certificates to trainees

- The launching of a successful membership drive
- The creation of a website

- The creation of a Secretariat

In his response, the newly elected President, Mr. Eric Musanganya, promised to bring positive change to the Association by sensitizing members to the benefits of joining the Association and growing its membership base. He also promised to create a Hospitality website and update the existing members’ database to form a solid and coherent network. The urgent matter of poor Customer Care within the industry would also receive the Association’s full and immediate attention.

Wrapping up, the President of The Tourism Chamber, Mr. Rusera thanked the Association members for participating in a transparent and well-organized election process. He concluded by wishing the new Management Committee every success during its term in office.


The new committee of the Hotels and Restaurant Associations:

1) President: Mr. Eric Musanganya, Managing Director, Bloom Hotel - Kimironko
2) First Vice President: Mr. Mugo Maringa, General Manager, Serena Hotel, Rwanda
3) Second Vice President: Mr. Joshua Mugenzi, Proprietor, Lighthouse Resort
4) Secretary: Solange Katarebe, Director, Republika Lounge, Kiyovu
5) Treasurer: Daphne Kajugira, Proprietor, Africa Bite, Kimihurura
6) First Technical Advisor: Ryan Plakonouris, General Manager, Mantis Hospitality, Rwanda
7) Second Technical Advisor: Malik Rajab, Manager ,Virunga Coffee Shop, Ruhengeri