Local leaders in Kirehe District, Gatore Sector, have been urged to serve as role models for the people they lead, by setting good examples and striving to provide citizens with quality and efficient services.
This call was made on August 25, 2025, during a community engagement session in Gatore Sector, under the district’s citizen outreach program known as “Shyashyanira Umuturage” (Strive for the Citizen). The initiative aims to meet residents where they are, listen to their concerns, and find practical solutions.
Janviere Mukandayisenga, Kirehe Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, told leaders from different levels in Gatore Sector that before asking citizens to fulfill certain responsibilities, leaders themselves should first comply. She stressed that leaders should be a mirror in which citizens see good examples.
“A leader should be the first to respect government programs before encouraging others to do so. You cannot ask citizens to fulfill responsibilities that you yourself have not respected. Let us avoid making decisions that are not agreed upon by all leadership structures. Instead, we should be the ones helping to solve citizens’ problems.” She explained.
“Let us commit to speaking the truth and being people of integrity, just as we expect from our citizens in daily life. We want our district to be among the best. We do not condone leaders who occupy positions without doing anything meaningful. Our fight is to lift people out of poverty. You must be role models, avoiding family conflicts and alcoholism, because you cannot solve people’s problems when your own remain unresolved.” She added.
Vice Mayor Mukandayisenga also highlighted that their primary duty is to provide citizens with quality services while putting their needs first:
“You should start your mornings early, offering excellent service to citizens. Once given a responsibility, perform it well and with excellence. Each of you should reflect on what impact you’ve had on citizens. You must work together to achieve performance contracts (imihigo). Leaders should know citizens’ daily lives from what they wear, to hygiene in their homes so that you are always updated about their situations.”
Some leaders in Gatore Sector expressed appreciation for the guidance received and promised to improve where they had fallen short.
Regine Nyinawimpuhwe, a social and development advisor in Nyamiryango Cell, Gashanga Village, said:
“Normally, people elect you because they see positive qualities in you or believe you can be a role model. But some change once they get into office, doing things they were not elected for. My advice to such leaders is to work hard, because the country we are building requires honesty, as even the Head of State always reminds us.”
Paul Ngendahimana, a resident of Cyunuzi Cell, stated: “After the Vice Mayor’s guidance, we are going to improve where we were failing, serve citizens better, and focus on promoting harmony while also ensuring we ourselves are people of integrity.”
Liliane Umuhoza, a social affairs officer in Rwabutazi Cell, noted:
“The Vice Mayor’s advice made it clear that everything starts with us. For instance, if you are a leader living in family conflicts, you should first resolve your own issues before addressing citizens’ problems. She also told us to welcome citizens well whether they bring small or big problems and either refer them to the relevant authorities or advocate for them. We found this very valuable.”
A 2024 study by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) on citizens’ perceptions of governance and service delivery revealed that 76% of residents in Kirehe District are satisfied with theservices they receive from local authorities. While this shows significant progress, officials emphasized that more effort is needed to ensure even higher satisfaction levels through integrity, accountability, and citizen-centered leadership.