Dr. Odette Uwizeye, the Chairperson of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), was recently appointed the new chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLGN) following her election to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Board.
In a congratulatory message from Mayor Bernard Wagner, Chairperson of the CLGF, underlined that he is looking forward to working closely with her to promote gender equality and equity, strengthen local government, and ensure “our collective voice” is heard across the Commonwealth.
“I am delighted that, following discussions, you have kindly agreed to take on the role of Chair of ComWLGN. CLGF's core priorities include promoting gender equality by supporting women in leadership and encouraging greater participation of women in local political leadership. This work is led through our Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLGN), in close collaboration with our LGA members to maximize reach and impact.” He said,
Dr. Odette Uwizeye took this appointment as both an honor and a responsibility.
“I am honored and grateful for the trust that CLGF has bestowed on me, my country, and Africa at large to serve as the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network. I am very much committed to doing my best in achieving these new responsibilities and look forward to contributing to the CLGF’s success story.
She also added, “I am thankful to the Government of Rwanda and the visionary leadership of President Paul Kagame. Being appointed as the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network is an indication of the recognition of the strong leadership of our country and the trust placed in Rwandans.”The Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network is closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
As its new chair, Uwizeye has pledged to focus on strengthening women’s leadership and advancing gender equality within local governments. Her strategy includes capacity development, mentorship, and advocating for women’s representation in decision-making positions.
“Rwanda has made significant progress in increasing women’s participation in local government. Similarly, some Commonwealth countries have registered notable achievements, while others are still lagging. Our role is to ensure women’s empowerment and promotion in all Commonwealth local governments,” she noted.
Uwizeye said she intends to champion initiatives such as outreach programs, internships for young women, and training and capacity development programs designed to inspire more women to take up leadership roles.
She emphasized the importance of advocacy for gender-responsive policies and the visibility of women leaders, both locally and internationally.
“Peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing by women will be instrumental in increasing involvement and achievements in local governments. Digital transformation will also be a priority, as timely access to accurate information is key. Providing women and girls with digital skills is essential for enhancing their participation in governance,” she explained.
Through its Local Government Women Network and various programs, RALGA continues to contribute significantly to advancing inclusion in local government in Rwanda. Since 2019, RALGA has implemented the Local Government Internship Programme, which targets young women who are fresh graduates from universities. Since its inception, the program has mentored more than 740 young women.
Dr. Uwizeye currently heads RALGA; however, she also serves as Chairperson of the Rusizi District Council.
Uwizeye brings a wealth of experience from local governance and academia.
Previously, she held leadership positions within Kicukiro District Council in Kigali and at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research in Rwanda (IPAR-Rwanda), where she served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Uwizeye also serves as the academic registrar of the University of Rwanda, having previously served in senior management roles at the former School of Finance and Banking (SFB) and at the College of Business and Economics (CBE).
She holds a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Strategic Management obtained from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.
She has a Master of Business Administration in Banking and a Master of Business Administration in Project Management, both obtained from Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands.
She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the National University of Rwanda.
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