Dear Editor,

Allow me space to comment on the "IMIHIGO” that local leaders sign.  As much as I agree in principle with Imihigo, in some instances the way they carried out leaves a lot to be desired.

I have been searching for the details of Imihigo and up to now I am still doing so. Why would I search for the details of Imihigo?  I would love to know the details and would want to be party to the uplifting and developing the area that I do love dearly.

What are the impediments? The answer to this is multifaceted; there is lack of information, leaders hoarding information, and simply local leaders wanting to be big fish in small ponds. 

How many people know what is contained in Imihigo that district leaders sign with the government?

Do these leaders carry out these activities by themselves or they do sign these Imihigo on behalf of the public in these districts? If the public in unaware of these Imihigo how are they going to participate fully in them?

Recently, I traveled to the Eastern Province and in particular Nyagatare district. Reaching Nyagatare town and remembering the milk plant that I once saw on television when the president visited the area, at the first shop I reached I asked for milk from Nyagatare plant.

You should have seen the way the shop keeper stared at me. One person told me that the diary plant does not operate.  He however asked me not to reveal his identity as the source of information. 

This culture of silence or acquiescent can not lead us to the Promised Land. The experience above prompted me to start asking myself about Imihigo.

What is Imihigo? How are they formulated? For whom and by whom?

I have made it my remit to answer these questions.

Mwiza Mutanganika
<mutanganika@yahoo.com