Odette Uwizeye, the Chairperson of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), has been named the new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network. ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe on Rwanda’s role in Commonwealth, expanded diplomatic relations The announcement was made under the auspices of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), an institution that promotes democratic local government across the Commonwealth and champions women’s leadership in public life. For Uwizeye, this appointment is both an honor and a responsibility. Speaking to The New Times shortly after the news was confirmed on Wednesday, September 24, she attributed the achievement to Rwanda’s record of progressive leadership. “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,” she said. “I am therefore honored and grateful for the trust that CLGF has bestowed on me, my country and Africa at large. I am committed to do my best in achieving these new responsibilities and look forward to contributing to the CLGF’s success story.” ALSO READ: Commonwealth Day: Kigali CarFree Zone Show 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, training and capacity development programs designed to inspire more women to take up leadership roles. ALSO READ: Construction: How Commonwealth can collaborate for a greater good 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. CLGF welcomed Uwizeye's appointment, expressing confidence in her ability to advance women’s empowerment across the Commonwealth. “We look forward to working with you on empowering women to serve in local government and advancing SDG 5. We are honored to have your participation and to continue our close ties with RALGA Rwanda,” the organization said in a statement posted on X. ALSO READ: CHOGM 2024: Kagame calls for youth investment Uwizeye brings a wealth of experience from local governance and academia. While she currently heads RALGA, she also serves as Chairperson of Rusizi District Council. 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 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 specialization in Strategic Management obtained from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. She has a Master of Business Administration in Banking, Master of Business Administration in Project Management both obtained from Mastricht School of Management, Netherlands. She also holds Bachelor of Science in Economics from the National University of Rwanda.
