HUYE/Nyanza—The incoming district leaders on Wednesday took oath of office at a ceremony presided over by the provincial director of good governance, Pascal Sahundwa.

Francois Uhagaze was sworn in as Huye District Mayor, replacing Aimable Twagiramutara who resigned last month.

Also sworn in was Marie-Claire Mukamusonera as Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs.She replaces Ildephonse Gasana who stepped down early April.

Vedaste Nshimyimana, the District Executive Secretary said that the new leaders face an uphill task of improving the livelihoods of the districts’ population 60 percent of which lies below the poverty line.

Huye district is largely an agricultural community. Residents rely mainly on agriculture and livestock farming as key economic activities. The soils are poor and soil erosion is rampant on hilly slopes.

Nshimyimana, added that the district town urgently needs a master plan as part of its greater needs assessments.

Other requirements included repair of road networks especially in the busy business district of ‘Kiwarabu’ and an urgent requirement to put up a  district Genocide memorial site.

"These and many other issues that directly affect the lives of residents have to be resolved if we are to seek another term in office,” said Nshimyimana.

In his maiden speech  Uhagaze promised teamwork and full exploitation of all existing opportunities in the district to foster development.

"We will have to work as a team if we are to bring any meaningful change in this district,” said the soft spoken Mayor. "Team spirit is all that we need.”

Sahundwa, who represented governor, Fidel Ndayisaba at the ceremony, urged the new leaders to respect their oath and to work closely with the district advisory council.

"You have a duty to the people who elected you, respect the oath that you have just taken and always consult on issues that you are not conversant with,” he counselled.

In a related story, the new Mayor of Nyanza District, Abdallah Murenzi has pledged to work closely with the local people at the grass roots levels so as to realise development. Murenzi replaces Francois Munyankindi, who stepped down last April.

"My primary task is to mobilise the local people for development. The general attitude towards work has to change in this district,” said the youthful Mayor.

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