The National Electoral Commission (NEC) yesterday commended the peaceful manner in which the elections for the District Executive Committees were conducted, an election that saw the number of women district mayors increase to five from three.

Seventen districts got new mayors, while 13 kept their respective constituencies.

The District Executive Committees are composed of the mayor and two vice mayors (finance and economic development and the other one for social affairs), of each of the 30 districts of the country.

Speaking to Saturday Times, yesterday, the Executive Secretary of NEC, Charles Munyaneza, said despite the fact that the process took longer than expected time, it was generally successful saying that there was ambition and passion on part of the leaders to serve the nation.

The mayors and their deputies were elected through electoral colleges composed of district councillors who were elected on Monday.

"We witnessed successful elections, although it was a bit long, we have also come to know that elected people had a very good profile and pledged commitment towards service and nation building,” he said.

Some of the elected officials pledged to maintain good governance and leadership visions, promising better implementation of decentralisation services, social transformation and improvement of infrastructure, among others.

Kayisime Nzaramba, the new mayor of Nyarugenge, said the focus will mainly be about coordination, engagement with private sector to curb employment and foster policies that aim to leverage investment for a sustainable development.

"I have promised clean water to three sectors of Mageragere, Kanyinya and Kigali, I will make sure that is delivered, we will make sure people are building houses that meet the city master plan, and help people moving from the high-risk zone areas, on top of others,” she said.

Mayors are elected for a five-year term, renewable only once.

Reported by Rodrigue Rwirahira, Stephen Rwembeho and John Mbaraga

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