As Rwanda marks 25 years of implementing the decentralization policy, the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and civil society organizations indicate that digital technology has played a major role in enabling citizens to access public services more easily and in reducing the loss of money and time caused by long travel distances and delays. MINALOC reports that since 2001, more than 41% of public services have been decentralized and are now delivered at local levels, including cells and sectors, as well as through the Irembo digital platform.
The Director General in charge of civic education and volunteer coordination at MINALOC, Richard Kubana, said that the government’s objective is to ensure that citizens can access most services without incurring high travel costs or losing time. He stated: “The use of Irembo through the Byikorere program has reduced losses related to travel and time by up to 71%. Our goal is that nearly 90% of the services a citizen needs will be accessible directly on their mobile phone.”
Despite these visible achievements, local government leaders acknowledge that some services continue to face challenges, particularly those related to land management. The Mayor of Gatsibo District, Richard Gasana, noted that some citizens are dissatisfied with decisions made at the local level and choose to escalate their complaints to the district level or higher. This, as explained, highlights existing gaps in understanding and in the delivery of certain services.
To address these challenges, MINALOC announced that a meeting bringing together district land officers nationwide has been organized, with the aim of developing harmonized guidelines to help resolve land-related disputes and urban planning issues, improve service delivery, and strengthen public trust.
The Executive Director of Transparency International Rwanda, Apollinaire Mupiganyi, noted that the Public Policy Information Monitoring and Advocacy (PPIMA) program, which has been implemented for 15 years, has played a significant role in strengthening citizens’ voices in governance. He said the program has enabled citizens to monitor the quality of public services, participate in budget preparation, and engage in local development planning, notably through the Community Score Card, which is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms for promoting accountability and responsibility within public institutions.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of Denmark to Rwanda, His Excellency Casper Stenger Jensen, emphasized that Denmark has supported the PPIMA program since 2023. He said this support has enabled citizens and civil society organizations to actively participate in identifying challenges affecting public services, developing solutions, and implementing them, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
All stakeholders emphasized that strengthening the capacity and autonomy of districts in decision-making will ensure that citizens’ priorities expressed at the local level are fully taken into account, allowing the decentralization policy to continue delivering tangible results in Rwanda’s development and the well-being of its citizens.tralization policy, the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and civil society organizations indicate that digital technology has played a major role in enabling citizens to access public services more easily and in reducing the loss of money and time caused by long travel distances and delays. MINALOC reports that since 2001, more than 41% of public services have been decentralized and are now delivered at local levels, including cells and sectors, as well as through the Irembo digital platform.
The Director General in charge of civic education and volunteer coordination at MINALOC, Richard Kubana, said that the government’s objective is to ensure that citizens can access most services without incurring high travel costs or losing time. He stated: “The use of Irembo through the Byikorere program has reduced losses related to travel and time by up to 71%. Our goal is that nearly 90% of the services a citizen needs will be accessible directly on their mobile phone.”
Despite these visible achievements, local government leaders acknowledge that some services continue to face challenges, particularly those related to land management. The Mayor of Gatsibo District, Richard Gasana, noted that some citizens are dissatisfied with decisions made at the local level and choose to escalate their complaints to the district level or higher. This, as explained, highlights existing gaps in understanding and in the delivery of certain services.
To address these challenges, MINALOC announced that a meeting bringing together district land officers nationwide has been organized, with the aim of developing harmonized guidelines to help resolve land-related disputes and urban planning issues, improve service delivery, and strengthen public trust.
The Executive Director of Transparency International Rwanda, Apollinaire Mupiganyi, noted that the Public Policy Information Monitoring and Advocacy (PPIMA) program, which has been implemented for 15 years, has played a significant role in strengthening citizens’ voices in governance. He said the program has enabled citizens to monitor the quality of public services, participate in budget preparation, and engage in local development planning, notably through the Community Score Card, which is recognized as one of the most effective mechanisms for promoting accountability and responsibility within public institutions.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of Denmark to Rwanda, His Excellency Casper Stenger Jensen, emphasized that Denmark has supported the PPIMA program since 2023. He said this support has enabled citizens and civil society organizations to actively participate in identifying challenges affecting public services, developing solutions, and implementing them, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
All stakeholders emphasized that strengthening the capacity and autonomy of districts in decision-making will ensure that citizens’ priorities expressed at the local level are fully taken into account, allowing the decentralization policy to continue delivering tangible results in Rwanda’s development and the well-being of its citizens.
