NORTHERN PROVINCE

The newly-elected leaders of Gakenke district have been sworn in.

At a ceremony witnessed by hundreds of residents last Friday, Damien Hakizayezu was sworn in as the Mayor, while Yascent Twishime and Felicien Mporanyimana were sworn in as Vice Mayors in charge of social affairs and economic affairs respectively.

The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Internal Security Sheik Mussa Fazil Harerimana.

Twishime has been a sector Executive Secretary in Ngororero district.

Zephryn Ntakirutimana has been the acting mayor ever since the district advisory council booted the former district leaders over a string of allegations early this year.

The former Mayor, Epaphrodite Mugemangango, and his deputies Winifred Nyirihirwe, formerly in charge of social affairs and Joseph Karekezi were accused of harbouring and failing to stem genocide ideology in the district.

They were also accused of neglect of duty and mismanagement of district funds. Mugemangagno was later remanded to Ruhengeri prison over the alleged charges.

At the swearing in function, the minister asked the new leaders to draw lessons from their predecessors and build a strong administration with one common vision.

"You should use your power to build a strong administration which will strengthen equitable development, cooperation, transparency and redirect the district,’’ the minister said.

In his speech, the new mayor pledged to revamp the tarnished image of the district and called for cooperation among his workmates.

He attacked the previous leaders for derailing the district development and promoting ethnic divisions among residents.

Deo Kabagambe, the executive secretary of the Northern Province was among the dignitaries who witnessed the event.

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