The Government of the Netherlands allocated an estimated Rwf 750m to Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) to support the latter’s Strategic Plan 2010-2015.

RALGA is an association of 31 local government bodies, comprising the 30 district councils and the City of Kigali.

The agreement which will see the financial support disbursed within a period of three years, was signed between  RALGA Executive Secretary Theogene Karake, and Jolke Oppewal , the Acting Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Netherlands to Rwanda.

Karake said that the funds would contribute greatly towards the implementation of RALGA’s mandate of capacity building, local economic development as well as lobbying and advocacy.

"The support availed to RALGA is a result of a long and fruitful partnership between the two sides,” Karake noted.

The Government of the Netherlands was also among the leading development partners, alongside the Swedish and Canadian governments, to RALGA’s Strategic Plan 2006-2010.

The biggest achievement in the previous strategic plan was the construction of RALGA offices in Masaka worth Rwf 510 million. The association previously spent about Rwf 1.2m monthly on rent.

Jean Bosco Rushingabigwi, RALGA Communications Officer, told The New Times that the funds will help develop district performance contracts, train local leaders how to raise tax collection and conduct study tours.

"There are still challenges in tax identification and collection and managerial skills of some local leaders which will be improved through training,” Rushingabigwi explained.

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