District mayors serve five-year terms, renewable once, meaning that some incumbents who were re-elected in 2021 will not be eligible to contest again in this year’s local elections. Others currently serving their first term will be eligible to contest, although re-election is far from guaranteed.

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Governance analysts say performance will be a key determinant of who remains in office.

Mayors Jerome Rutaburingoga of Gisagara, Ange Sebutege of Huye, Valens Habarurema of Ruhango, and Jacqueline Kayitare of Muhanga districts in Southern Province were re-elected for a second term in 2021. As such, they will not be eligible to run again in 2026, according to the law.

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Those whose two terms also expired include Richard Mutabazi of Bugesera, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi of Rwamagana, and Richard Gasana of Gatsibo in Eastern Province, as well as Antoinette Mukandayisenga of Nyabihu in Western Province.

Nyanza District is currently led by Patrick Kajyambere, who previously served as Vice Mayor and replaced the former mayor, Erasme Ntazinda, following his resignation. However, Kajyambere is also completing his term and will not be eligible to contest.

In Southern Province, the current terms of the mayors of Nyamagabe (Ildebrand Niwemwungeri), Nyaruguru (Emmanuel Murwanashyaka), and Kamonyi (Dr Sylivere Nahayo) are their first, meaning they may be eligible for renewal.

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In Western Province, the mayors of Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu, and Ngororero are also serving their first term. Rubavu’s mayor was previously serving in Rutsiro and was appointed by the President following the removal of the former mayor.

In Northern Province, the mayors of Gakenke, Rulindo, Burera, Gicumbi, and Musanze are all in their first term and are eligible to contest in the 2026 elections. They are Vestine Mukandayisenge, Judith Mukanyirigira, Soline Mukamana, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa, and Claudien Nsengimana, respectively.

In Eastern Province, Bruno Rangira of Kirehe, and Nathalie Niyonagira of Ngoma are also in their first term and are eligible to contest again.

In Nyanza, Kayonza, and Nyagatare districts, the mayors have completed their terms, and the districts are currently led by stand-in officials. Nyagatare’s former mayor recently took up a political party role and was replaced by Henry Kakooza.

Kayonza currently has Fred Hategekimana serving as acting mayor after the previous mayor was dismissed following famine issues in the district.

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The mayors of Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, and Rutsiro began their terms midway, meaning they remain eligible to contest. These are Phanuel Sindayiheba, Narcisse Mupenze, Gerard Muzungu, and Dative Kayitesi, respectively.

"The law provides that no local government leader can serve more than two terms. Therefore, some will have to leave office. However, others eligible for renewal may also leave depending on their performance in improving citizens’ living conditions and their efforts to align with the country’s vision. It is therefore not surprising that even some who have served only one term may be removed,” said veteran journalist Rene Anthere Rwanyange, a local government analyst.

He added that such removals may be based on work conduct, how leaders implement decisions of the district councils they head, how they collaborate with colleagues, and how they work with other institutions involved in governance and national development.

"Districts are evaluated like other public institutions, and those scoring below 60 per cent in performance contracts (Imihigo) are unlikely to be retained,” he said.

While meeting leaders from local and central government institutions, President Paul Kagame has advised local leaders seeking renewed terms in office to first assess their performance. The latest performance contracts (Imihigo) results show the national average performance at 69 per cent.

The election of 27 district mayors and vice mayors could take place after their terms end in October, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). However, Moise Bukasa, the NEC communications officer, told The New Times that the commission is awaiting a proposal on the election agenda and timeline submitted by the ministry of local government to the Cabinet for approval, as well as amendments to the Organic Law governing elections that could introduce changes in how local government leaders, including mayors, are elected.