WESTERN PROVINCE

NYABIHU — Residents of Nyabihu District have optimistically welcomed the resignation of their Mayor Charles Ngirabatware.

Ngirabatware tendered his resignation letter recently and it was approved last Friday by the District Advisory Council.

He cited need to go for further studies as the reason for his quitting, but other sources say otherwise.

Sources say he allegedly resigned under pressure from the provincial authorities who have been critical of his performance as head of the district.

"We sat, discussed and approved his request. We found out he had a sounding reason to resign,” an official of the council said.

The council has appointed the vice Mayor in charge welfare, Vestine Gasangayire as the acting Mayor.

Penelope Kantarama, who until last week was the Western Province Governor, said that the major reason for the Mayor’s resignation was connected to his poor performance.

Kantarama is now the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security.

"Well, there are many reasons but the truth is, his performance was not good, Nyabihu was performing poorly in Imihigo (performance contracts) and other government policies,” she said.

"He has been having misunderstanding with his subjects. I’m told people in Mukamira sector and Bigogwe celebrated on hearing what they termed as good news of his resignation,” Kantarama added.

A few residents The New Times talked to especially in Bigogwe and Mukamira sectors celebrated Ngirabatware’s quitting arguing that he was allegedly reluctant in solving some of their problems during his leadership.

The residents also accuse Ngirabatware of flouting tendering process that favoured his business associates and friends.

Ends