The Senate of Burundi will conduct visits to all communes across the country to evaluate achievements recorded during the 2025-2026 period and to take stock of the implementation of the decentralization policy. This significant initiative was announced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Gitega by the First Vice-President of the Senate, Générose Ngendanganya. The planned visits aim to assess progress at the local level and ensure the effectiveness of governance closer to citizens.
Purpose of Senate Visits
The preparatory meeting for the visits, which served as the platform for this announcement, convened senators, communal administrators, and presidents of communal councils. These upcoming visits will enable senators to observe firsthand the achievements within each commune after one year of operation, according to statements made at the gathering. This direct engagement is key for a full understanding of local realities. Senators will also verify the implementation of recommendations that emerged from their previous visits to communes, which took place in October 2025. A primary aim of the recent meeting was to ensure that communal officials gained a clearer understanding of the Senate's expectations for the evaluation process. The discussion sought to clarify the specific criteria that will be used to assess the achievements recorded during the 2025-2026 operational period, thereby providing a structured framework for the upcoming evaluations. The visits are designed to allow senators to see on the ground the actual progress and challenges faced by the communes.
Decentralization Progress and Challenges
Générose Ngendanganya noted progress in several sectors concerning decentralization within Burundi's communes. The First Vice-President of the Senate cited improvements in areas such as respect for laws, the collection of communal taxes and duties, and the transparent management of public property. Additionally, Ms. Ngendanganya noted the strengthening of local authorities' powers and enhanced citizen services as indicators of advancement, demonstrating a positive trajectory in local governance. These improvements are seen as vital steps towards more effective and accountable local administration.
Despite these achievements, Ms. Ngendanganya acknowledged that certain challenges persist and necessitate special attention from local officials. She specifically deplored the ongoing conflicts and disagreements observed within communal councils, as well as those between communal councils and communal administrators. These issues, she pointed out, continue to persist despite recommendations made during previous Senate visits to the communes. The Senate intends to address these difficulties by identifying the root causes of conflicts and other challenges through reports that will be produced following the upcoming visits. This process aims to foster dialogue and facilitate the development of effective solutions, ensuring that the progress made is not undermined by internal disputes.
Vision for Decentralization
The purpose of the upcoming Senate visits to communes is to assess the implementation of Burundi's decentralization policy. These evaluations will specifically verify the progress of the policy designed to bring administration closer to citizens, thereby enhancing public service delivery. Générose Ngendanganya, First Vice-President of the Senate, reaffirmed that decentralization serves as an essential means to promote proximity governance and make public services more accessible to citizens. She articulated her belief that decentralization should contribute to establishing a democracy founded on the general interest, where the needs and aspirations of the populace are critical. Ms. Ngendanganya stated that this policy should enable citizens to actively participate in and benefit from various development programs initiated at the local level, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for community advancement.