Strong turnout at Karongi DJAF Open Day praised as catalyst for citizen empowerment

The Karongi District Open Day, organized by the District Joint Action Forum (DJAF) in collaboration with Karongi District, has seen nearly all stakeholders participate, demonstrating robust community engagement.

The event, praised by local leaders and stakeholders, is hailed as a pivotal platform for showcasing current and future services, ongoing projects, and fostering collaboration across the district.

Launched on August 20, 2024, in the Bwishura sector gardens, the four-day event brings together organizations from the health, development, and social sectors, highlighting a diverse range of efforts aimed at improving the lives of the local population.

Urimubenshi Aimable, a private sector representative and owner of Future Supermarket and a modern brick manufacturing factory, praised the Government of Rwanda for facilitating such exhibitions. “This fair has been incredibly beneficial for my business. Six visitors have already placed orders for bricks, and I’m optimistic that if the fair continues at this pace, I could secure up to 20 orders. This is all possible thanks to the support Karongi receives from the city of Kigali,” he said.

Habinshuti Eliakim, the acting president of DJAF in Karongi District, confirmed the strong participation, with 73 out of 77 stakeholders attending the event.

The participation of our partners has been outstanding. We encourage the public to come and explore the various initiatives showcased at the exhibition,”

he remarked.

Karongi District Mayor Mukase Valentine highlighted the exhibition’s importance as a platform for community engagement. “This Open Day is a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to connect with the public and demonstrate the impact of their work. We urge everyone to attend in large numbers to learn more about the efforts being made in our region,” she added.

The Executive Secretary of the Western Province, Mrs. UWAMBAJEMARIYA Florence, underscored the event’s role in promoting peer learning and service delivery improvements.

You have seen services that enhance the quality of education, particularly through Early Childhood Development centers. We are committed to developing citizens who are economically capable and driven to contribute positively to society, which we call ‘umuturage ku isonga’ (putting the citizen first),”

she said.

The first day of the exhibition featured a vibrant performance by the Urukatsa group led by Mavenge Sudi, with another performance by popular artist Eric Senderi expected to draw even more visitors in the coming days.

By Gashonga Jean Claude.