Explaining Imihigo Performance in Gicumbi District, Rwanda: The role of Citizen Participation and Accountability (2009-2014)

In the context of decentralisation policies in Rwanda and public management challenges, Imihigo contracts were introduced by the Government of Rwanda in 2006 as a form of public perform-ance contract implemented at District level. Imihigo contracts were intended as a tool to speed up national development. This study suggests that the success of Imihigo requires active citizen par-ticipation beyond consultation, and official accountability that engages local people in planning as well as implementation of development projects. To show this, the study uses Arnstein’s lad-der of participation model to analyse both the participation of citizens and how this relates to official accountability in Imihigo performance in one District in Rwanda. Gicumbi District was selected because of the need to explain dramatic performance inconsistencies that were experi-enced in this particular district during the years 2009 to 2014. The study highlights variations in the level of citizen participation over time, and in the degree of official accountability as useful ways of explaining these differences in Imihigo performance in Gicumbi District. Besides this, the research provides some policy recommendations, including enhanced downward accountability, which could strengthen active citizen participation. The aim is to overcome some of the gaps highlighted in this study between citizens, local officials and elected authorities, taking the case of Gicumbi. In this way, the study hopes to contribute to enhancing citizen participation and accountability as vital inputs in improving Imihigo performance in Gicumbi District.