A high powered delegation from Kampala City Council (KCC), is on a four-day tour of Kigali City to draw lessons and share experiences on how the two cities can improve standards within their respective capitals.

The 32-person delegation led by the City’s deputy Mayor, Florence Namayanja Mukasa, yesterday met with Kigali Mayor Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira who briefed them on the development of Kigali city. 

Kirabo told the visiting delegation that Kigali’s achievements and Rwanda in general are attributed to the political will at all levels to change people’s lives.

The Kampala city officials who also include; City speaker Shifra Lukwago and town clerk Rose Kijambo met with their counterparts at the Kigali City Council head-quarters.

"Empower the people and you will have empowered the nation,” Kirabo told the visiting delegation. She said this has been a foundation for Kigali’s achievements.  

She highlighted performance contracts and communal work ‘Umuganda’ as some of the programmes, that have brought the leaders closer to the to their communities

"These performance contracts are signed from the lower government levels (cells) and have been a key factor in changing the society,” she said.

"Every one aims at fulfilling their targets in a specified period and this has made us stay focused and accountable.”

Namayanja observed that lack of political will has been Kampala’s main challenge in implementing the policies.

The delegation visited the Ugandan embassy and later paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Memorial Centre Gisozi before touring different parts of the city.

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