The executive committees of National Youth Council (NYC) in all districts on Friday met to elect members of the national executive committee to work for the next five years.

In Kigali, the elections were organised by National Electral Commission (NEC) in partnership with Rwanda National Youth Council.

The voting process began with campaigns for aspiring candidates for the seven posts and other two positions for representatives of students in universities, including higher learning institutions and secondary schools.

In the revised law, the National General Assembly of Rwandan youth is comprised of the executive committees of all districts and executive committee at the national level.

Those elected on National Executive Committee include Clarisse Uwanyirigira as coordinator, Jean d’Amour Rubwiriza as vice coordinator, Brenda Nkusi as secretary, Tom Mulindwa for good governance and law, and Athanasie Mukankusi in charge of economic affairs.

Others are Lydia Mutuyimana for social welfare, Alexis Ukurikiyeyezu for information and cooperation, Annet Mbasinga as representative of secondary schools, and Chantal Umutoni as representative of universities and higher learning institutions.

Speaking after the election, Uwanyirigira, from Musanze District, said she will support economic development of Rwandan youth.

"We need youth friendly centres in all districts, we shall work together to achieve this target during my time as coordinator of NYC,” she said.

The coordinator added that they will sensitise youth on opportunities available in banks and help youth to grab them.

Uwanyirigira succeeds Norbert Shyerezo, who was the coordinator of the NYC, and his outgoing team.

All members of the committee – whose term is renewable only once – pledged to fight drug abuse, negative adolescent behaviour leading to unwanted pregnancies of girls at early age, among others.

The committee is made up of six girls out of nine making 66.7 per cent.

The National Executive Committee is responsible to supervise the implementation of all resolutions taken by General Assembly at national level.

The electoral college was made up of 270 young people from 30 districts, each district represented by nine youths.

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