On November 3, 2026, the Rwandan Parliament's Committee on Governance and Gender held a meeting with the Ministry of Interior, Local Government, and Urban Development (MINALOC) to assess the implementation of the 2021 National Policy on Decentralization and Service Delivery. The meeting aimed to evaluate the progress made in decentralizing services to the local level. Parliamentarians argued that the continued centralization of services contradicts the policy's objective of bringing services closer to citizens.
Deputy Sylivie Muyango Mukayiranga stated that the concentration of services at the national level does not align with the government's slogan of prioritizing citizens' needs. She emphasized that 56% of services still being provided at the national level means that citizens are not yet at the forefront of service delivery. Mukayiranga urged MINALOC to provide a clear roadmap for decentralizing services, including a timeline for implementation.
MINALOC Minister Dominique Habimana responded that the fact that 44% of services are being provided at the local level does not mean that the remaining services must be decentralized. He noted that some services are better suited for delivery at the national level. Habimana emphasized that the key is to ensure that services are delivered at the appropriate level, be it national or local.
Parliamentarians also stressed that decentralizing services is not just about relocating them to local levels but also about improving the quality of services and addressing citizens' concerns. Mukayiranga suggested that training programs for local government officials and employees should focus on citizen-centered service delivery, emphasizing that providing quality services is a citizen's right, not a favor.
The parliamentarians also raised concerns about the time spent by local government officials in meetings, which can lead to delayed service delivery. According to data presented during the meeting, local government officials spend 65 days out of 365 in meetings. Parliamentarians urged MINALOC to find ways to schedule meetings efficiently without compromising service delivery.
Deputy Mukayiranga further emphasized that citizens should not have to travel to distant locations to access services only to find officials absent due to meetings. She called on MINALOC to take concrete measures to improve service delivery, address citizens' concerns, and provide clear explanations for decisions that affect them.
The parliamentarians' concerns highlight the need for the government to accelerate the decentralization of services and ensure that citizens receive quality services at the local level. The implementation of the National Policy on Decentralization and Service Delivery requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure that citizens benefit from the policy's objectives.
Key points
- 56% of services in Rwanda are still being provided at the national level.
- Parliamentarians are urging MINALOC to provide a clear roadmap for decentralizing services.
- The decentralization of services aims to bring services closer to citizens and improve their quality.
