Rwanda Patriotic Front elects provincial youth representatives

The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) has conducted elections for its youth representatives at the provincial levels.The elections were conducted on Sunday in different provinces across the country.

Monday, November 18, 2013
RPF youth during the elections in Rwamaga. The New Times/ Steven Rwembeho.

The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) has conducted elections for its youth representatives at the provincial levels.The elections were conducted on Sunday in different provinces across the country.Seven positions were filled, including president, vice-president, secretary for economic affairs, social affairs, justice and good governance.Speaking in Musanze District, RPF Commissioner and Prime-Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi who oversaw the elections urged the youth to steer the country’s development.The participating youth were from five districts of the Northern Province."You represent more than 60 per cent of Rwandans. You are the strength we should invest in. What we need from you is productivity and togetherness,” the Premier told the youth."We need more active, disciplined and innovative youth who seek national responses to issues other than breeding problems. We need youth who strive for self-reliance,” the Premier added.    He affirmed the RPF’s commitment to fast-tracking party’s quest for speedy development in  economy, ICT, education, health, security among others.He also urged those who were elected to use the chance they were given to serve the countryThose who were elected promised to work hard and remain loyal to the party. They promised to fight drug abuse and other vices among the youth.Justin Irakarama, who was elected the president of the youth league, said he will work with colleagues to serve the country."We shall keep supporting youth-focused development programmes and strive for self reliance. I’ll also rally youth behind ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda,’” said Irakarama, who is the head of human resource at Butaro Hospital in Burera District.Also elected were three representative of RPF executive committee at the provincial level.They include Frodouard Ndagijimana, the director of Shyorongi school, Clementine Twizeyimana, self employed, and Anastase Sebarind, a teacher.Meanwhile, the youth elections in Eastern Province were presided over by provincial  RPF chairperson, Odette Uwamariya. Uwamariya said the country is investing in youth education to realise economic growth and poverty eradication.She urged Rwandan youth to shun tribalism, ethnicity, discrimination and do more to spur development.Joseph Karemera, an RPF Commissioner, reiterated the need to involve the youth in governance roles in the country.Emmanuel Rukundo, one of those elected, said the provincial committee would help young people who dropped out of school, succumbed to drug addiction or are involved in crime.