Phanuel Sindayiheba was elected as the new Mayor of Rusizi District and Gerald Muzungu elected Mayor of Karongi District in by-elections held on Friday, March 28, according to National Electoral Commission. ALSO READ: Karongi, Rusizi districts to elect new mayors on Friday Sindayiheba is one of the former Nyange Secondary School students, who stood together when abacengezi (infiltrators) attacked them in 1997 and attempted to split them according to ethnic lines. The school is located in Ngororero District, Western Province. The students refused to give in to the infiltrators’ divisive orders to the extent of putting their life on the line and six of them were killed. Both the slain and the surviving Nyange students are celebrated among Rwandan national heroes. ALSO READ: Nyange students' heroic legacy lives on Sindayiheba replaces Anicet Kibiriga, who resigned in November 2024, along with the district’s Vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Anne Marie Dukuzumuremyi. In Friday's by-elections, Francine Mukakalisa was elected new Vice-Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Rusizi District. Muzungu, who is a former mayor of Kirehe District, has been serving as interim mayor of Karongi District since November 2024. He replaced Valentine Mukase, who had stepped down as Karongi District Mayor. ALSO READ: Muzungu appointed Karongi's interim Mayor Also in Karongi, Julienne Ntakirutimana was elected Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development. Previously, she was the in charge of EjoHeza long-term savings scheme in the district. Ntakirutimana replaces Théophile Niragire who resigned as interim Vice Mayor in Charge of Economic Development in November 2024. Meanwhile, Vedaste Ngarambe was elected the Chairperson of Karongi District Council – replacing Donatha Dusingize who had also stepped down in November. Protais Nyamurinda was picked as the council vice chairperson.
