RALGA commissions convene for joint meeting on advocacy strategy and conflict resolution

Kigali, 12 September 2026 - RALGA commissions responsible for decentralization, local government finance, local economic development, and social development met jointly with members of the Conflict Resolution Committee and the Control Committee to discuss RALGA’s advocacy strategy, among other topics.

The workshop focused on reviewing the draft RALGA Advocacy and Representation Strategy 2025–2030. Participants also received training in mediation for resolving community conflicts.

Participants welcomed the proposed strategy as a focused, evidence-based framework that addresses key priority issues. However, they emphasized the need for it to be realistic, adequately resourced, and backed by RALGA's internal capacity to meet the real challenges and ambitions facing local governments.

Ms. Bernadette Rutembya of Mediation Home Rwanda (MHR) facilitated the session on effective approaches to addressing citizens’ complaints and conflicts.

Participants applauded mediation approaches as they draw from traditional, relevant methods of resolving disputes through dialogue, empathy, neutrality, confidentiality, and mutually agreed solutions. They noted that mediation can help local leaders prevent disputes from escalating to the courts, restore relationships, and strengthen social cohesion.

"Mediation is a promising approach to resolving citizen complaints. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed for it to be more effective, especially cooperation between the institutions and practitioners involved." said Mayor Jacqueline Kayitare of Muhanga District.

In his interventions, RALGA Secretary General Valens Uwineza updated members on the Association's ongoing efforts to advocate for members’ underlying issues and support them in improving service delivery.

"We have been engaging with different institutions across all sectors to find solutions to the challenges local entities face in policy and implementation." said SG Uwineza.

Through capacity-building initiatives, service to members, representation, and advocacy, RALGA supports its members' core functions.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of feedback from RALGA's organs in shaping the Association's advocacy priorities and strengthening practical, locally responsive solutions to governance and community challenges.

For more pictures, click HERE.

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