Newly elected local leaders have pledged to work more closely with residents, protect existing development and improve social welfare, saying cooperation with communities will be central to their work during the new five-year term.

The leaders made the commitments on Saturday, October 24, as local government elections began with the selection of members of Village Executive Committees and other grassroots representatives.

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At a polling site at GS Remera Protestant in Nyenyeri Village, Kabeza Cell, Kanombe Sector, Kicukiro District, Pacifique Mugisha Dusengimana, 24, was elected village head.

Dusengimana said his approach would be based on working alongside residents rather than simply issuing instructions.

"My responsibility is to lead, but not just by giving orders. It is about working together with residents in our daily activities,” he said.

Having previously served as the head of "isibo”, a grassroots community unit that groups together roughly 10 to 20 neighboring households, Dusengimana said the experience would help him build on work started by his predecessors.

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He said he wanted to be closer to residents and ensure that community concerns were addressed through collaboration.

Dusengimana also said his village would continue working with neighbouring communities to combat drug abuse and the consumption of illicit alcoholic beverages.

Building on development gains

In Muhororo Village, Kagugu Cell, Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, Eugene Harerimana was elected village head after previously serving in a similar position.

Harerimana said his priorities for the new term included improving residents' welfare, protecting existing achievements and working with the community to develop additional infrastructure.

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He cited the establishment of community-funded roads and the development of a model village among the initiatives undertaken during his previous service.

"In this term, we are going to work together to protect what we have achieved and establish other development initiatives,” he said.

Harerimana also highlighted the fight against drug abuse, particularly among young people, as an area requiring continued attention.

He welcomed government efforts to crack down on illicit alcoholic beverages, saying the products had also been consumed in his community.

He said sustaining the fight would require continued cooperation between local leaders and residents.

Women's welfare among priorities

Beatrice Umutoni, elected as the women's social welfare representative in Nyenyeri Village, said she would focus on strengthening family welfare and encouraging women to take advantage of available economic opportunities.

She said understanding the challenges facing households would require leaders to maintain close contact with residents and visit families.

Umutoni also pledged to encourage women to pursue work and explore opportunities to access loans to support their economic activities.

She said addressing social challenges at family level would be important to improving household welfare and community development.

The Village Executive Committee comprises the village head and officers responsible for security and population movements, social welfare and community cohesion, information and public education, and development.