Residents of the two districts in the Eastern Province that came last in the 2013/14 performance contracts (Imihigo) have blamed the poor performance on failure to involve them in development programmes.

The residents of Rwamagana and Gatsibo say their district and local leaders need to involve them more if the two districts are to be ranked in higher positions in the future.

Rwamagana ranked 29th out of 30 districts countrywide, with 71.6 per cent, while Gatsibo came last with 70.7 per cent.

Even though the majority of the respondents in the mini-survey preferred anonymity, some allowed to be identified.

Emmanuel Hategikimana, Private Sector Foundation (PSF) representative in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana, said there was disconnect among residents, leaders and the private sector.

He said several projects failed to deliver results due to to poor infrastructure in the district.

"Local leaders do not consult residents when making important decisions. This has led to misallocation of resources,” he said.

"This is the only district without a taxi park. Taxis park in a compound in someone’s home. Streets are in a sorry state with most of them impassable during the rainy seasons. The sector executive secretaries and PSF leaders are out of touch with the reality. That is why we are always trailing.”

A member of Rwamagana District Advisory Council, who preferred anonymity said the district leadership is to blame.

"They are always on the defensive. Whenever we try to advise them, they come out strongly to defend their wrong doings. We are in a tricky situation and almost running out of choice,” said the source.

Gatsibo residents also attributed the district’s poor performance to failure by authorities to involve the beneficiaries in implementing development policies.

"Recently, they made us close our shops for days just because they wanted us to work on parking spaces. Traders and district leaders almost fought over something that could have been solved amicably. If they are really serving the people, why don’t they involve them?” asked Damascene Umulisa, a trader in Kabarore.

However, Rwamagana mayor Nehemie Uwimana said in the future, they will involve residents more.

"We want to involve people more than we have probably been doing,” he said.However, generally the province performed well.

Ngoma District residents are still celebrating the position they got in the national rankings.Musa Havugimana, a resident of Ngoma said it was an encouraging position.

"The achievement has not come on a silver platter. We have worked hard for it. We are taking the celebrations to different parts of the district, so that everyone sees the fruits of hardwork and good leadership,” he said.

Protais Murayire, the Mayor of Kirehe District, that has always featured among the top six, said he is targeting the top position in the next evaluation period.

"There is no reason why we can’t be number one. We are beginning to unravel all areas that kept us a bit behind. All players must work hard and whoever will be seen as a stumbling block will be stopped,” he vowed.

Governor Odette Uwamariya said the overall performance was good but they would push for more.