As a way of promoting e-governance at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Local Government is set to distribute laptop computers to leaders of all the 2,148 cells across the country during the 2011/12 fiscal year.

According to the Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, the computers will help cells address challenges faced in delivering services to the population which include among others, expediting data collection and management.

The computers will also assist in the management of data among beneficiaries of social protection programs including Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP), Fund for the Support of Genocide Survivors (FARG), One Cow per Family, Ubudehe and Mutuelle de Santé.

Musoni officially launched the distribution of the laptops to cell Executive Secretaries over the weekend at a ceremony that took place in Rubavu District.

During the meeting, which brought together local and opinion leaders in the district, Musoni presented the first 25 laptops to cell leaders from the district.

"The laptops will help in submitting reports on time, ensure improved and timely service delivery, manage citizen complaints and requests, land management, electronic filing, archiving and mail management, information and communication,” he said.

The Minister emphasised the need for the promotion of ICT in local governance as envisaged in the country’s vision 2020 and NICI III.

He noted that all the cells in the country would be issued with computers this fiscal year in line with the implementation of local government capacity building strategy that was approved by the cabinet in January 2011.

Musoni advised them to use the available internet connectivity to increase their technical knowledge on how to use computers.

During the same meeting, Rubavu Mayor, Sheikh Hassan Bahame, shared a number of recent achievements registered by the district and the challenges faced.

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