Records Management in the Government of
Burundi
By:
Anthea Seles
University College London
Records Management and Archives Research Students Group
January 19th, 2010
Overview

Facts about Burundi

Brief History of Burundi

Project Overview

Government Ministries and Agencies Surveyed


Records Management, Information Communication
Technology, and E-Government Initiatives in
Burundi
Conclusion
Facts about Burundi




Population: 8.9 million people
Religions: Catholic (65%), Protestant (25%), Islam
(13%)
Three ethnic groups: Tutsi (14%), Hutu (85%), and
Twa (less than 1%)
Two official languages: Kirundi and French

Kiswhili (Swahili) is in use as well but it is a non
official language
Brief History of Burundi

c.1680- Kingdom of Burundi founded by Mwami
Ntare Rushatsi

1890- Became part of German East Africa

1904- Establishment of a German protectorate

1916- Belgians take over governance of Burundi

1961- End of Belgian rule with the election of Prince
Louis Rwagasore
Brief History of Burundi



1965- Hutu revolt. Lead to one of the first
ethnocides in the country this time against Tutsis
1966- End of Burundian monarchic rule. Marks the
beginning of four military regimes.
1972- Hutu revolt in which 3,000 Tutsis lost their
lives but the government reacted by killing 200,000
educated Hutus. This event created a deep divided
among the ethnic groups which lead to the 1993
genocide.
Project Overview


Research funded by the Canadian International
Development Research Council (CIDRC)
Research is being conducted by the International
Records Management Trust (IRMT)

Examining the role of records management in
Information Communication Technology (ICT), EGovernment and Access to Information initiatives
in the East African Community (EAC)
Project Overview



The research on records management in Burundi and
Rwanda added as an extension to the project.
Examined government ministries, agencies, and
departments in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda prior
to extension.
Burundi trip took place between December 5th-19th .
Lead investigator was Dr. Justus Wamukoya
(Information Studies Department, University of Moi,
Kenya)
Government Ministries and Agencies Surveyed

The Auditor General's Court (Archives Director/Clerk)

University of Burundi (Head Librarian/Head of IT)

Central Bank of Burundi (Archives Director)

National Archives of Burundi (National Archivist)

Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Communication, and Parliamentary
Relations (Permanent Secretary)

Ministry of Public Health (Archives Director, Head of Human Resources)

Ministry of Interior (Permanent Secretary)

Ministry of Justice (Permanent Secretary, Head of website and IT program)



Ministry of Finance (Permanent Secretary, Head of IT, Integrated Financial Systems
Coordinator)
Executive Secretariat of Information Communication Technologies (Executive
Secretary)
Ministry of Public Service (Head of Payroll Processing)
Records Management, Information Communication
Technology, and E-Government and Access to Information
Initiatives in Burundi

Limited information communication technology
projects and e-Government projects being
implemented.


Not a government priority but EAC priority
No access to information legislation being
considered at this point in time

Strategic development document 2011-2016
Records Management, Information Communication
Technology, and E-Government and Access to Information
Initiatives in Burundi


Limited or no records management in
government ministries

Not a government priority, nor a priority at
the ministries
What are the problems?

Records Management

Archives Law

Records management cadre

Knowledge about recordkeeping


Lack of government or senior ministerial backing

t
Technology seen as the panacea for records
management issues
This translates into lack of resources
What are the problems?

ICT and e-Government

Capacity

Lack of infrastructure

Lack of government backing

Lack of understanding
Conclusion


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State of recordkeeping and records management in a
state of disarray
Records are regularly lost resulting in administrative
delays
ICT and e-Government initiatives are more of a
priority but still don't have enough support for
centralised implementation.
National Archives of Burundi
National Archives of Burundi
National Archives of Burundi
Conclusion



Perfect time for information sessions on the value of
records management
Ideal moment to discuss recordkeeping and records
management issues, given the early states of ICT
and e-Government program planning
Need build records management cadre and
professional body