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Vicky Uwase ISINGIZWE, a Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Rwanda, on developing the TUZA Electronic Payment System for collecting local security fees using mobile phones. 

During my research, I developed the TUZA Electronic Payment - a local security fees collection system that uses mobile phones. TUZA will help citizens to make cashless payments which makes it easier for the Rwandan government to monitor and control the local security fees income.

There are social, economic, and political aspects to the impact of my project. Economically, this system will be a good start for easing the government’s ways of providing services to the citizens. Socially, it will play a big role in helping people to save money on transport costs and to save time by not queueing in government offices to access services. Politically, it will contribute to Rwanda’s SDGs and how supporting the country's innovation.

This system is convenient and efficient because it saves time, is transparent, reduces drop-outs, and creates a good relationship between citizens and the government.

Where did your passion for this research originate?

My passion for this project originated from observing the difficulties that people faced when collecting home security fees. One time, my Dad had to clear payments for security fees but didn’t have any cash - the money was on his phone, so he couldn't make payments on that particular day. From that day, I became interested in the issue and began to research how I could come up with a permanent solution to help both the government with keeping track of the payments and the citizens with making payments easily at any time.

Additionally, I always had a passion for contributing to the 8th and 9th Sustainable Development Goals: “Promote sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth and full productive employment and decent work for all” and “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. 

Leadership experiences

As an IT professional, I developed leadership skills that support my technical skills. I am currently  Secretary of the Arbitration Committee at the University of Rwanda's Guild Council (College of Science and Technology). In this position, my team and I prepare and coordinate all election activities and oversee the overall operations and performance of the Council (Student Union). Additionally, I have been a class representative for 3 years, which has given me the chance to be a spokesperson for the whole class and connected me to leaders from different Universities who have become my close friends and have helped my leadership development.

Here are my top life-changing insights and lessons from my experience:

• The identity you give yourself is who you become.
• Follow your passion using your strengths to get the best return for your time and energy.

My top leadership tips 

• Never forget your responsibility: my best leadership tip is to think of leadership as a responsibility as much as an opportunity.
• Lead by Example: leaders need to show, not just tell.
• Know your limits: even the kindest, most caring leaders have limits.
• Communicate effectively: effective communication is imperative, both in the office and in life.

Which leaders inspire you the most and why?

H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda. This leader greatly inspires me because he became President when the country had been totally torn apart by genocide. Yet, he took all possible measures even when many people thought it was impossible for him to transform the nation into an economically sound environment, Africa’s Innovation hub, a secure place and so much more. The resilience and love for the nation and good leadership portrayed by him gave me all the reasons to be inspired.

Oprah Winfrey has always been my inspiration because she promotes women's empowerment and proves that women can also be great CEOs and business owners. This has helped me to think outside the box and start looking for innovative ideas, help fellow women through mentorship programs and creating innovation forums. Another reason is the way she works hard, regardless of what she does. She is the perfect description of “HARD WORK PAYS” and I live up to that.

Describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

I’m strongly optimistic that I will be the CEO of a multi-disciplinary tech firm ten years from now. I will also lead an organization that supports young girls in unleashing their skills and innovative ideas, in order to give back to the community and, most importantly, empower women. I am planning to achieve this through working extremely hard and, of course, smart, networking well and seeking advice from mentors and seniors in different fields.

Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show

🎵 My quarantine anthem: Grace To Grace - Hillsong Worship; Here Again - Elevation Worship

📚 My top book recommendation: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

🎧 Podcast obsession: Royally Obsessed; Oprah's 2020 Vision Tour Visionaries: Michelle Obama Interview

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: Seeing progress toward my goals, and simple human decency.

Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Vicky is a Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholar at the University of Rwanda. Become a Laidlaw Scholar to conduct a research project of your choice, develop your leadership skills, and join a global community of changemakers from world-leading universities.

Learn more about the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship.

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