Residents of Rusororo Sector, Gasabo District, have been urged to participate in the upcoming local government elections and help fight drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among young people.

The call was made during Umuganda on Saturday, September 26, which brought together residents and national and local leaders to discuss community development and issues affecting the population.

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National Electoral Commission (NEC) Chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa urged residents to take part in the elections, which will begin at village level on October 24 before proceeding to cell and district levels.

"We have local government elections coming up on October 24. We will vote at village level, and we urge you to participate and elect your leaders, including committees that will represent you at village level and in other entities,” Gasinzigwa said.

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She urged residents to remain engaged as the voting process moves to higher levels of local government.

"In the following week, you should also participate by voting at cell level, until the process reaches the district level, where you will elect your officials,” she said.

Gasinzigwa also linked responsible participation in elections to the need for young people to remain sober and focused on contributing to the country’s development.

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"Keep being sober and be responsible young people so that you can build your country. Older people also need to help young people remain sober, so that we participate in elections sober, elect sober leaders and build a sober country,” she said.

The Umuganda also focused on the continued fight against illicit alcohol and drug use.

Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana called on residents to report people involved in producing or selling illicit alcohol so that they can be helped to stop the practice.

"If you know people who are producing illicit alcohol or hiding it to sell, report them so that they can be helped to stop,” Nsanzimana said.

He also urged people to stay away from marijuana and other drugs, while warning against excessive alcohol consumption.

State Minister for Youth and Arts Sandrine Umutoni called on young people to look out for their peers and help those who may be getting involved in harmful activities.

"We should be the sober generation. We need to be young people who protect our colleagues. If you see a young person going in the wrong direction, help them return to the right path and remind them that they are Rwandans who need to value themselves and that they are loved,” Umutoni said.

Naftal Rurangirwa, a Rusororo resident who has recovered from illicit alcohol addiction, shared his experience as an example that people can recover.

"I was addicted to illicit alcohol, and it damaged my mental health. I reached a point where I felt that even dying meant nothing because I no longer valued life,” Rurangirwa said.

"But it is possible to recover, and I am an example. After leaving drugs and choosing a sober life, I discovered the true meaning of life, developed myself and built a family. I have now become a useful person who helps others to stop using them. I am now a pastor,” he added.

City of Kigali Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva said Rusororo was selected to host the Umuganda partly because of recent concerns over illicit alcohol production and consumption in the area.

"This area of Rusororo, where we chose to conduct Umuganda, has recently had some issues with illicit alcoholic beverages. There are a few people who produce Kanyanga. We have recently been pursuing them and we will continue to do so. Kanyanga must be eliminated from Kigali,” he said.