WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU - District has elected new leaders of the district advisory council, following the sacking of the council’s chairman and his vice last month.

Rachel Nyirasafari was sworn in as the new council chairperson after polling 85.7 % votes while Denis Uzaribara was voted as the new vice chairman.

Nyirasafari replaces Richard Mberabagabo. At the elections conducted Tuesday, Amiable Kadogo was elected as the advisory committee’s coordinator.

The leaders of the old council were interdicted last month by the Western Province authority allegedly over mismanagement.

In her acceptance speech, Nyirasafari thanked voters for electing her, saying it was a vote of confidence. She promised to work hard for the development of the district as well as promotion of people’s welfare.

"I thank you for voting me. Voting me as a woman indicates that Rwandans now know the meaning of gender equality. I’m happy to say that unlike in the past, most Rwandans now know that even women are capable of competing and of becoming good leaders,” she said, shortly after the swearing in ceremony.

At the same the function, Rubavu district youth representative, Janvier Murenzi, who was recently elected, also took oath.

Protais Rumanzi, who represented the National Electoral Commission, called upon the new leaders to sacrifice and work hard towards the district’s economic and social development in order to improve people’s welfare.

"Having been voted for these posts indicates that voters have confidence in you, they feel you are capable of working hard towards the district’s development. So don’t let them down,” Rumanzi said.

On behalf of the district, Martin Bizimana, an official in charge of Good Governance, called upon the newly elected leaders to work hard in solving the district’s existing challenges.

"You should always remember that you are civil servants who don’t work for your own benefits but for the people. You should be leaders who listen to people’s problems and strive to solve them because that is one of the main qualities of good leaders,” he said. He promised the district’s cooperation and support to the new leaders.

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