KIGALI - Ubudehe, a programme under the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) jointly funded by the Rwandan government and the European Union, last week received a United Nations trophy as the best managed and implemented development programme.

The programme received the Better management-better public service award in a function that was held in the United States, a draw into which over 150 countries from all over the world participated. Of the 12 which were nominated, Rwanda’s Ubudehe emerged best.

"When we were looking for a development approach to fight poverty and enhance people’s livelihoods from the grass roots, Ubudehe came into the picture. The fact is that it emanates from our culture and is people-centred, so we prioritised it and it has paid off ,"said Eugene Barikana, the Secretary General of MINALOC.

"The uniqueness of this programme that saw it outclass competitors from other countries was its nature of being people-centred, right from the grassroots, where people are empowered to play an active role in solving their socio-economic problems,” he added.

The stakeholders in the Ubudehe programme include the Common Development Fund (CDF), MINALOC, Action Aid, Belgium, provincial administrators and community members.

"This trophy is a big motivation to everyone who took part in the success of Ubudehe, and a symbol of pride to the whole country.

It shows that the efforts people put in fighting poverty are recognised worldwide,” said Egide Rugamba, the acting director of Common Development Fund, the establishment through which the government funds the Ubudehe programme.

The competition is held annually and this was its sixth edition. Countries send in details of their best programmes, together with the performance indicators, and the United Nations selects the winner.

Ubudehe is a socio-economic development programme where the local people are empowered to actively participate to improve their welfare through activities like constructing houses, roads and resource mobilisation.

The first phase of the Ubudehe programme started in 2002, and its second phase in 2005. This programme is ongoing in its fight against poverty.

Ends