ernment Association of Zambia in members’ representation and capacity building
From 7th to 11th January 2019, a delegation from the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) was in Rwanda to share experience with their RALGA counterparts. The LGAZ delegation was headed by Mr. Maurice Mbolela, the Executive Secretary. The delegation also comprised the association’s Information Officer, Ms. Mpatanji Namumba and the Research and Development Officer, Mr. Isaac Sangulukani Zulu. They were welcomed by RALGA Secretary General Mr. Ladislas Ngendahimana and the Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Francine Tumushime.
As expressed by Mr. Maurice Mbolela, the aim of the visit was an experience sharing between LGAZ and RALGA on effective strategies for representing, supporting and profiling local governments, as well as members’ capacity building. According to him, choosing RALGA was motivated by the reputation this association has across the continent based on its achievements.
Relevance and accountability identified as key elements for LGAs
The experience sharing activity was introduced by presentations by RALGA staff to members of the delegation, followed by discussions during which experience was shared between the two sides. Mr. Faustin Serubanza, RALGA’s Director of Strategic Planning, presented RALGA’s historical background, mission, three-fold mandate (advocacy, capacity building and representation), membership, sources of revenue and key partners. On her side, Ms Innocente Murasi, Director of the Local Governance Institute Department discussed with the delegation on RALGA activities in terms of members’ capacity building, including the Master’s Program in Local Governance Studies implemented in partnership with the University of Rwanda.
During the discussions subsequent to the presentations, the fact that Local Government Associations need to be relevant and accountable to both their members and their partners to be viable was agreed upon. As an example, the factors behind RALGA’s relevance to its members were discussed. They include the identification of members’ needs in terms of advocacy and capacity building and the efforts to address them. The needs assessment informs RALGA activities including induction courses for newly elected leaders and recruited staff, training workshops, technical forums for experience sharing and advocacy, as well District staff recruitment services. RALGA members’ compliance to timely pay their annual membership fees amounting to around 32,000 USD per member was therefore identified as an indicator of the association’s relevance to members.
In addition, it was realized that credibility vis-a-vis members and partners depends much on efficient reporting and control mechanisms, but most importantly, to strive to respect and comply with the requirements of these mechanisms.
Field visits for contextualization
With the purpose of allowing the visiting delegation to see the reality on the ground and to put in context the experience shared by RALGA, field visits were organized in Bugesera and Gasabo Districts. In Bugesera District, the LGAZ delegation was welcomed by Councilor Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of the District. He provided them with information on the working environment of the decentralized entities and their collaboration with RALGA, basing on Bugesera District example. He also briefed them on the Integrated Development Project (IDP) as one of the programs of the Government of Rwanda to promote proper human settlement in rural areas. The team also visited IDP model villages in Rweru Sector, Bugesera District and in Gikomero Sector of Gasabo District.
LGAZ team also took the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial located at Gisozi and the Campaign Against the Genocide Museum hosted in the Rwandan Parliament premises.
