NORTHERN PROVINCE GAKENKE - Damien Hakizayezu was on Friday, elected the new Mayor of Gakenke district. Hakizayezu, who has been the vice president of the district advisory council, polled 299 votes, defeating his rival Iledefonse Yamuremye, who got 89 votes. Over 400 voters who included members of the district and sector advisory councils cast their votes. Yascent Twushime, the sole woman contestant in the elections was elected the vice mayor in charge of social affairs, while Felicien Mporanyimana was elected the vice mayor in charge of economic affairs. The three posts fell vacant three moths ago, after the district advisory council booted the entire top leaders over alleged incompetence. The former leaders who included the mayor; Epaphrodite Mugemangango, and his two deputies, Winifred Nyirihirwe (social affairs) and Joseph Karekezi (economic development) were accused of among other things harbouring and failing to stem genocide ideology in the district, neglect of duties and financial mismanagement. After the interdiction, Mugemangango was remanded to Rugengeri Prison on charges of fuelling ethnic divisions and failing government programmes in his capacity as the leader. Speaking after the elections, the newly-elected mayor pledged to foster unity and fight subversive ideologies which had created a rift in the district and retarded development. Zephyrin Ntakirutimana who has been acting as the mayor did not contest, remaining the president of the advisory council. The elections were preceded by the swearing in ceremony of the new eight members of the advisory council who were appointed to fill up vacant posts on the council. Meanwhile, in Musanze district, Winfred Mpembyemungu was elected as the new vice mayor in charge of economic affairs, to replace Anonciata Budengeri who resigned the position about a month ago. Two new members of Musanze advisory council were also sworn in. They include Betty Abatoni and Fidel Habarurema. Ends
