The National Electoral Commission (NEC) this week launched a civic education training programme targeting local leaders in Eastern Province, starting with Kayonza District.

The initiative is part of NEC’s routine Civic and Voter Education interventions in the post electoral cycle.

District leaders in charge of good governance, education, youth and representatives of people living with disabilities, as well as local officials took part in the training that was completed on Friday.

Marie Claire Nyirabansinda, in charge of civic education at NEC, said the training aimed at equipping local leaders with essential knowledge about society management.

She said that civic education should not wait for the electoral period, adding that capacity building efforts must be continuous.

"Civic education helps stakeholders learn more about their rights in a democratic society. Leaders just like the electorate have a mutual responsibility to uphold development plans,” she noted.

Nyirabansinda added that local leaders were expected to be accountable to the electorate after the elections.

"The voter-candidate relationship must go beyond just casting votes. There should be accountability after that whereby the elected respects the needs of the electorate. Such kind of leadership would pave way for sustainable development,” she added.