Rwamagana, Rubavu districts get new leaders

RWAMAGANA/RUBAVU – Members of the district advisory councils on Wednesday elected new mayors for Rwamagana and Rubavu districts. Nehemiah Uwimana was elected the new Rwamagana Mayor while Jean Claude Cyuma and Yvonne Muhongayire were elected vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, and Social Affairs respectively. Sheikh Hassan Bahame was elected as the new Rubavu district Mayor, after beating Marie Therese Nakure, his challenger. Theoneste Gisagara an official from the National Election Commission (NEC) in Kigali, and Paul Rwangarinde, NEC representative in Rwamagana district, who supervised the election, said Uwimana beat his challenger Canisius Rutembesa with 274 votes, out of 375 of the total votes cast. Addressing the councillors, Uwimana pledged to cut wasteful spending and create an environment that would attract new investors in the district. “I have been involved in several initiatives aimed at developing people in this district…there is no doubt that the position you have entrusted me with, will help me to steer up such initiatives to another level,” he said to wild cheers. “I will make sure that people get quick services in various areas. And, with your help I am optimistic that this district will develop more.” The chairman of the Rwamagana District Advisory Council, Emile Mutunzi, thanked the electorate for the maturity they exhibited during the election. It was important that the gaps were filled to pave way for the smooth running of the district affairs, he said. Meanwhile, Sheikh Bahame who was also sworn in shortly after the election said, “I will focus on sanitation, implementing the government’s programs and also work closely with other institutions to develop Rubavu.” The judge of Rubavu High Court Angeline Mukarumanzi presided over the swearing in ceremony and advised the newly elected mayor to uphold his oath. At the occasion, Western province Governor, Celestin Kabahizi, encouraged the new Mayor to always seek advice from his office whenever needed, and urged him to take sanitation as one of his priorities. “I task you to seriously deal with the issues of sanitation. As a leader you need to lead well by taking the right decisions,” Kabahizi said. “It doesn’t make sense for this district to always trail others in performance after getting all the support they want…more needs to be done.” Ends