SOUTHERN PROVINCE

KAMONYI — Residents of Kamonyi District last week thronged the district headquarters to celebrate Liberation Day, 14 years after the liberation war.

Songs, poem recitals and drama were staged on July 3, as part of the celebrations. The same day was used as an open day during which residents visited district offices to be briefed on the role of leadership in development.

Talking to The New Times, a number of them said they were proud of the achievements made in the last 14 years of liberation.

Jean Paul Munyandamutsa, the Mayor of Kamonyi, said the district authorities and residents have worked hard towards development compared to the previous years when there was less participation of residents.

"Liberation makes a lot of meaning to Kamonyi and this is evident in the performance contracts in which residents are pro-economic development. This is because of the collaboration between residents and leaders, unlike in the past when leaders used to do everything,” Munyandamutsa said.

"It is a long way to development but through hard work and cooperation, the social status of residents has changed; they can afford health services, education, shelter and other basic needs.”

Developing roads, electricity supply, building houses for vulnerable people, eliminating genocide ideology, family planning and economic empowerment are some of the issues of concern raised by journalists and according to district officials, the issues are to be addressed.

District officials said that the district industrial plan is underway. According to a tentative plan, the administrative offices will be constructed in Gacurabwenge sector.

In the meantime, authorities revealed that 664 houses for vulnerable residents have been constructed out of a total of 2449 houses meant to be built.

District officials have committed efforts towards coffee production, milk and mining as the priority areas to eradicate poverty. The projects have been established on each of the 317 villages.

Ngamba sector was chosen as the model area where most of the district targets have been met.

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