Mayors start campaigns for re-election

Nation wide campaigning for council seats kicked off on Tuesday. Outgoing mayors in several areas of the country started courting voters for the election as members of the district advisory council. Once elected, the outgoing mayors are expected to seek re-election. In Musanze district, outgoing Mayor, Winifrida Mpembyemungu started campaigning in her home sector of Remera. She said she has the faith and courage to compete with men in the race to get re-Mpembyemungu, has been in office for one year. She only became mayor after Celestine Kalabayinga had resigned over corruption charges. “Women should compete for political posts at all levels. We have the capacity to serve the country. In my experience I learnt that women tend to fear to start, but when you are involved, everything becomes possible,’’ she stated. “There are development programs which started during my term, poverty eradication requires collective efforts involving private sector and residents. This is one of the issues why I feel I should be part of the next team.” Speaking to The New Times, other top district officials confirmed that they would seek re-election, once they are voted in as councillors for their respective sectors. Jerome Mugenzi and Pascal Butunge, the outgoing Musanze vice mayors confirmed their intention to seek re-election. Meanwhile, campaigning at Kageyo trading center in Gicumbi, Mayor Bonane Nyangezi, said once re-elected, he will continue to work closely with Cell and Sector authorities to promote terraces in the district to control soil erosion and increase agriculture production. “We will continue from where we reached, to steer the district to economic prosperity,” he said.He was accompanied on the campaign trail by prominent Byumba town businessmen and staunch supporters. “I have spearheaded many developmental tasks for Gicumbi District and there is more to be accomplished,” Nyangezi told supporters. His supporters displayed posters urging residents to elect their candidate, whom they said would spur the district development. “Vote for Nyangezi, our man!” cheered the crowd on a fleet of vehicles mounted with loud speakers. The Gicumbi vice mayors Ildephonse Butera and Eugenie Uwamahoro are also seeking re-election in the ongoing local leaders’ elections. Ends