KMT DISCOVERY
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SOCIETY & GOVERNANCE
FEATURE · RWANDA
Contracts of Honor: How the Ancient Practice of Imihigo Drives Modern Social Accountability in Rwanda
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Imihigo means that we want to improve the way we work, so as to achieve our targets. We want to live a healthy life, to develop, and we want security. This is what Rwandans expect from us as leaders.
PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME · IMIHIGO SIGNING CEREMONYIn pre-colonial Rwandan tradition, warriors and community leaders would gather before their peers to declare Imihigo — a public vow to accomplish an extraordinarily difficult task.
Failing to achieve a declared target brought personal and communal dishonor, while fulfilling it earned prestige and celebrated standing within the society.
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The full pyramid of accountability, how pledges are evaluated and published, and what Imihigo delivers in clean water, housing, and healthcare on the ground — available to KMT Discovery members.
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