KIGALI - The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, yesterday hailed Rwanda for the progress made in good governance and social-economic transformation.

He added that the United Kingdom will continue supporting Rwanda’s development initiatives.

The Minister made the pledge while meeting the Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, at the ministry’s head offices in Kigali.

The duo discussed various governance and development related programs including poverty reduction through Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP).

Musoni highlighted a number of achievements in the areas of good governance, decentralisation, community development and social affairs.

He briefed the delegation about the various ongoing reforms, including the media law reform and plans to establish the Rwanda Governance Board, which will be charged with all issues related to registration of political parties.

The Ministers also discussed the development of civil society organisations, promotion of principles of good governance and outreach, monitoring their implementation in both public and private organs and conducting of studies on issues related to sustainable development and prosperity.

VUP was commended for significantly contributing to the empowerment of local communities through the social economic transformation of their lives.

Mitchell was accompanied by the UK High Commissioner to Rwanda, Ben Llewellyn-Jones OBE, Elizabeth Carriere, the Resident Representative of DfID for Rwanda and Burundi together with Philippa Buckley, Special Advisor to the UK Secretary of State for International Development.

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