The beneficiaries of the donation are from Nyabirasi and Rusebeya sectors in Rutsiro District as well as Bugeshi and Busasamana in Rubavu District.
The RDF Officials led by Regional Reserve Force Commander-(Nothern Province), Maj Gen Eric Murokore and Local leaders in the respective districts including the Mayor of Rutsiro District, Ayinkamiye Emerence and Rubavu District Vice Mayor for Economic Development, Nzabonimpa Deogratias handed over the donation to the selected families.
Mayor Ayinkamiye thanked Kagame for providing cattle to residents to uplift their welfare. She also thanked the local population for their close collaboration with Security Organs that contributed much to bring security in their respective areas hence contributing to development in their community.
Major Gen Eric Murokore encouraged the population to preserve the security gains and to maintain the collaboration with Security Organs.
He also urged the population to continue observing measures put in place by the Government to fight COVID-19 Pandemic emphasizing that it is a threat for national security and the whole world in general.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held today at Village Urugwiro chaired by President Paul Kagame.
After confirming the first case of COVID-19 on 14th March 2020, Rwanda started imposing measures to prevent the spread of the virus where some businesses including bars were closed.
Later on 21st March 2020, Rwanda imposed total lockdown. The lockdown was later lifted after assessing the pandemic’s situation but containment measures continued to be observed.
Church services, weddings, gaming and sporting activities were also allowed to resume at different times but bars remained closed until the latest decision allowing them to reopen gradually.
The cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 21st September 2021 has also set curfew hours at 11 p.m in Kigali through 4 a.m while movements in other parts of the country is prohibited between 9 p.m and 4 a.m with businesses closing 8 p.m.
The curfew in Kigali City has in previous weeks started at 10 p.m.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that public and private offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 75% capacity while others continue working from home on rotational basis.
Citizens are reminded of the critical importance of complying with health measures including physical distancing, properly wearing face masks and hand hygiene.
The new measures will take effect nationwide starting 23rd September through 13th October 2021.
AOG is a Rwanda-based Social enterprise co-founded by 13 young social entrepreneurs in 2011.
The organization was founded by colleagues at Kigali Health Institute drawing an inspiration from their lecturers who used to support students with vulnerable backgrounds to find shelter and meet other basis needs.
It is registered with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) as a National Non-governmental Organization (NGO) since 2014. From 2015, AOG has been focusing its programs on social enterprise development in Rwanda which helps to tackle youth unemployment and contribute to solving key social challenges in local communities.
AOG also puts emphasis on women empowerment to make them real drivers of positive change.
They have gradually expanded and introduced incubation programs for young entrepreneurs who are equipped with relevant skills to conceptualize and implement vivid business ideas.
Beneficiaries are also helped to get offices, advisory services at low cost and facilitate linkages with partners.
Since establishment in 2011, AOG Rwanda has trained 183 entrepreneurs who created 1500 jobs while their activities impacted over 150,000 people.
It currently runs operations in Kigali City and Bugesera District with plans to expand footprints to all districts across the country.
During the event held in Bugesera district to mark ten-year anniversary, the CEO and co-founder of AOG Rwanda, Jean d’Amour Mutoni said the organization is proud of achieved milestones.
“We are proud of achieved milestones where the idea initiated by 13 individuals start a social enterprise has become a great initiative with sustainable and holistic programs with beneficial to the entire society,” he said.
Mutoni explained that the launch of Bugesera Innovation Hub is of great significance highlighting that it aligns with the organization’s ambitions to have beneficiaries among top magnates in the country by 2030.
“This goal will be achieved through establishment of innovation hubs in all districts to incubate the youth coming to learn how to do business, interact with colleagues, receive advisory services, rent offices at low price, which will subsequently instill self-confidence to make great things,” he said.
Mutoni also urged the youth to keep immersing their knowledge, unleash fear and remain disciplined to maintain excellence.
Aimable Twahirwa, the Director of Cultural Promotion at the Ministry of Youth and Culture commended activities of the organization.
“We have been very excited to see such number of youth initiating the program to create jobs and improve livelihoods. It complements government’s efforts,” he said.
Twahirwa requested the youth to take advantage of opportunities available in the country and distance themselves from drug abuse to strive for a better future.
The Director of Good Governance in Bugesera district, Magella Sebatware emphaiszed that the innovation hub will promote talent development among the youth.
“The hub launched in our district presents new opportunities and complements existing efforts to promote talent and skills development among the youth,” he noted.
Beneficiaries also speak with a voice of satisfaction considering the great support received to implement their projects.
Nina Nyirampeta is a Chili farmer who exports her produce through her company dubbed Ineza Chilli.
She had had no innovative business idea until she received training from AOG which sharpened her entrepreneurial skills.
Following the training in 2019, Nyirampeta developed a vivid business idea which she implemented and has since then provided jobs to 84.
“I graduated from university in 2015 and did not get employed. I submitted my application soon as I learnt that AOG is training startups. I was qualified to join the training dubbed Ingenzi Social Enterprise Program. Before joining, I was aware that we would receive training and seed capital. However, I was worried of possible losses over ineffective management. Fortunately, I was acquainted with all necessary skills within 12 weeks which I capitalized to start a promising business. It has started yielding big that I am among thankful chili exporters,” she said.
Rusesabagina was arrested in August last year. He has been undergoing trial along with 20 co-accused terror suspects including Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group.
The suspects faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when the aforementioned terror group plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
Rusesabagina who has been undergoing trial for almost a year; was handed 25-year sentence on Monday 20th September 2021 by the High Court Chamber for International Crimes.
Rusesabagina was found guilty of charges against him except illegal formation of an armed group.
Following the verdict, countries including the United States of America (USA) and Belgium criticized Rwanda’s judicial system claiming that Rusesabagina’s trial was not fair.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium , Sophie Wilmes released a statement explaining that Belgium had raised concerns on his trial several times.
“Despite repeated proceedings from Belgium on this issue … Mr Rusesabagina did not benefit from a fair and impartial trial, especially with regard to the right to defense. The presumption of innocence was also not respected. These factors effectively question trials and judgments,” Wilmes said in a statement.
Wilmes further stated that she will meet with Rwandan counterparts this week as a bystander to the UN General Assembly in New York adding that ‘Belgium is in close contact with Mr. Rusesabagina’.
In response, the Government of Rwanda has said that the statement of Sophie Wilmès reflects ‘the contempt shown by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium towards the Rwandan judicial system since the start of the trial, despite the significant contribution of relevant Belgian institutions to the investigation of this case’.
The statement further reads that the victims of the terrorist acts of FLN ‘have just as much right to justice as Mr. Rusesabagina and his co-defendants’.
For this reason, the Government of Rwanda announced that scheduled bilateral talks at ministerial level will not take place.
“A scheduled bilateral meeting at ministerial level, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, will no longer take place.”
Rwanda has however revealed that it remains ready to welcome to Rwanda of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, ‘at a convenient time to the dialogue between the two countries’.
Rusesabagina was arrested in August last year. He has been undergoing trial along with 20 co-accused terror suspects including Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group.
The suspects face charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when the aforementioned terror group plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
During trial proceedings, the Prosecution sought life sentence for Rusesabagina and 25 years for Callixte Sankara.
Among those sentenced was the FLN’s commander and spokesperson, Callixte Nsabimana, who was arrested in 2019. Prior to this, he had claimed responsibility for the 2018 attacks, and had announced plans for further attacks. He has been sentenced to twenty years in prison, having pleaded guilty to most charges.
Another FLN spokesperson, Herman Nsengimana, was sentenced to five years in prison. A member of the CNRD (Conseil national pour la renaissance et la démocratie), Nsengimana was arrested in 2019 in Congo’s South Kivu province along with over 400 other CNRD insurgents.The CNRD is a splinter faction of the Congo-based FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda). It was led by FLN co-founder Colonel Wilson Iratekega until his death in January 2020.
Also convicted was the FLN’s founder, Paul Rusesabagina, who was sentenced to twenty-five years. Prior to the trial, Rusesabagina publicly admitted to founding the group as the armed wing of his political party, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD). He had repeatedly expressed support for the group’s activities including after the 2018 attacks.
Rwanda Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo has said that the ‘lengthy trial has exposed the terrorist activities of the FLN group led by Rusesabagina’ noting that the ruling has delivered justice.
“The evidence against the accused was indisputable, and the people of Rwanda will feel safer now justice has been delivered. The trial has been a long and painful ordeal for the victims of FLN attacks, particularly for those who were called upon to testify. Our thoughts today are with these brave witnesses, and the family and friends of the victims,” she said.
{{What to know about the case involving terror suspects }}
1) The first FLN attack took place on 19 June 2018, in Nyabimata, Nyaruguru District. A subsequent attack took place nearby, in Kitabi, Nyamagabe District on 15 December 2018. Nine Rwandan civilians lost their lives in the attacks. The victims included two children: Ornella Sine Atete (13), and Isaac Niwenshuti (17).
2) In December 2018, Callixte Nsabimana, also known as “Sankara”, took to international radio and social media to announce that the FLN had claimed responsibility for these attacks. He was arrested in April 2019, and immediately pled guilty to 16 charges of terrorism.
3) The FLN is the military arm of the PDR-Ihumure party founded by Paul Rusesabagina, and the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD) political coalition which he led.
4) Also in December 2018, Rusesabagina issued a statement on the MRCD-Ubumwe YouTube channel (later removed but can be found here) as the “President of MRCD-FLN”. In the statement he announced that the FLN had “launched a military struggle to liberate the Rwandan people”, and that “the time has come for us to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda”. He pledged his “unreserved support that our youth, the National Liberation Forces, launches against the Kagame army, in order to free the Rwandan people”.
5) On 21 October 2019 Belgian Police searched Rusesabagina house in Brussels and on 13 May 2020 Belgian Prosecution Authority sent to NPPA evidence obtained from the inspection of computers and telephones seized during the search.
6) On 31 August 31, 2020, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau announced that Mr. Rusesabagina was in its custody. He had been the subject of an arrest warrant and was subsequently charged with multiple offences, including terrorism for founding the National Liberation Front (FLN).
7) On 3 December 2020, the High Court Chamber for International Crimes agreed to the request to merge the trial of Mr. Rusesabagina and his co-accused.
8) The trial was initially scheduled to begin on 26 January 2021 was postponed due to COVID concerns. Proceedings eventually commenced on 17 February 2021. A live stream of the trial, including one with English translation, was available online throughout.
9) The court was also shown various documents, including e-mail message records, revealing that Rusesabagina was in direct contact with Antoine Hakizimana (aka Gen Jeva), commander of the FLN’s operations in the northern region of the DRC. In the exchange, Hakizimana updated Rusesabagina on the group’s current military operations and asked him for additional financial assistance. Rusesabagina thanked him for the report and promised to provide funding.
10) Further evidence was provided by Dr. Michelle Martin, an American human rights activist and professor, and former volunteer at the Chicago-based Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation. In her testimony, during which she displayed and read items from Rusesabagina’s personal e-mail correspondence, she expressed her belief that the foundation “operated as a political organisation whose apparent primary goal was overthrowing the Rwandan Government”.
Kagame made the revelation today as he participated in a conversation with the Founder of African Leadership Group, Fred Swaniker and students from different universities in Rwanda.
As he featured in the talk show dubbed ‘In The Room’ initiated by Swaniker , Kagame responded different questions.
Fred Swaniker asked Kagame why he chooses to do hard things which many people fear to confront, pointing out an example of Rwanda’s plan to manufacture vaccines.
Kagame told him that complicated work can be done depending on one’s approaches.
The President said that it has never been part of his plans to dodge hard things.
He went on explaining that, sometimes, hard things result from the combination of simple things achieved at different times that adds up to the situations that require doing hard things.
“You can make the work of doing hard things much easier by paying attention to the simple smaller things on time. […] the pathway can be very simple or difficult depending on the way you paid attention to the simple and hard things,” he said.
Swaniker asked Kagame to give an example of something which started small but currently perceived as a great achievement.
The President pointed out an example of Kigali City saying it has undergone huge transformations compared to its situation in the past 20 years ago.
These include infrastructure development, maintaining high standard of hygiene and red lights among others.
Kagame said that the journey started 20 years ago by doing what is within the country’s means with utmost efficiency .
The President recalled the time when he spoke to cabinet members when the countrywide initiative to maintain cleanliness began.
As he explained, Kagame asked them if the country would require donors to maintain hygiene and pushed forward the idea to dump garbage in the right place.
The President stressed that there are works within people’s capacity that can be done without external support.
“Sometimes when that exercise started, I would be driving in the city. When I saw the litter around, plastic bags, papers from all over; I would literary go and stop my car, convoy, and that also tended to stop the traffic. […] I would get out with my escort guards who are paid to do different things […] we would pick that litter around and say, why would I pass and leave that litter?” he said.
“That has an effect even starting with my entourage. They started thinking ‘well, we shouldn’t leave these things here’. First of all, why do people go throwing litter around? And the same time, the traffic that has come to your halt start saying, what is wrong with him. When they have seen you do that, they start thinking about it and say ‘why would the president stop and do this’. Then you say, I should also take note and do the same. These are simple things. You don’t need to pay a lot of money, you don’t need to be paid a lot of money to do that,” added Kagame.
Kigali is among cleanest cities in the world. Recently in August 2021, the Skytrax World Airport, the coveted quality accolades for airports across the world, and a global benchmark of excellence ranked Kigali International Airport among the best and cleanest airports in East African Community (EAC) and Africa for 2021.
It was ranked 8th best airport in EAC and 7th cleanest on the continent.
The event will be covered by Rwanda Television and livestreamed on YouTube.
This year’s namers will include notable partners, conservationists, international celebrities, dignitaries and friends of Rwanda but their names have not yet been disclosed.
Ahead of the event, organizers of Kwita Izina ceremony launched an online contest during which participating youth had to select one of two provided names for a baby gorilla.
During the contest launched on 16th September 2021 via Kwita Izina Twitter handle, the youth were requested to pick one of two names for a baby gorilla. The two names include ‘Kabeho’ (Live Long) and ‘Mudasumbwa’ (Outstanding).
Winners will receive jerseys of Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain, two teams on the European that entered partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to market Rwanda’s tourism.
The contest was closed in the night of Friday 17th September 2021 around 11:59.
IGIHE has learnt that 30 participants were selected and started receiving their jerseys on Monday 20th September 2021.
During Kwita Izina ceremony , Rwanda will join the rest of the world to mark World Gorilla Day, the day renowned gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda in 1967. It is a day that encourages people around the globe to celebrate conservation of the mountain gorillas and honour those who protect them daily in their habitat.
The virtual ceremony will feature updates on Rwanda’s conservation efforts including the population growth of the mountain gorillas and the need to expand their habitat, and community support to improve community livelihoods while enabling wildlife conservation.
The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony reflects centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. For three decades before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies to monitor each gorilla in their family and habitat.
In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, they are given the value they undoubtedly deserve.
The ceremony is also an opportunity to thank the communities that live around the gorilla habitat, Volcanoes National Park, research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas daily.
Since 2005, a total of Rwf6.5 billion have been pumped into 780 projects in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, education, provision of decent shelters for vulnerable residents, building health centers, promoting livestock farming, beekeeping and crafts among others.
Despite unprecedented effects occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, Rwf700 million were invested in 30 projects in the areas of infrastructure and agriculture this year.
Rwanda’s tourism sector earned US$121 million in 2020 down from US$498 of 2019.
Over the last sixteen years, 328 mountain gorillas have been named. Today, Kwita Izina forms part of an ambitious strategy to preserve Rwanda’s natural heritage and further expand the role of tourism in the country’s transformation. As a result of the naming ceremony, Rwandans from all walks of life understand the intrinsic value of gorillas and their contribution to the country’s development.
{{Below is the list of baby gorillas to be named during the upcoming event:}}
{{1. Africa’s Son (Isimbi Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 3th January 2021 to mother Africa from the Isimbi family of mountain gorillas.
{{2.Ejoheza’s Son (Isimbi Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 6 January 2021 to mother Ejoheza from the Isimbi family of mountain gorillas.
{{3. Ijambo’s Son (Igisha Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 11 December 2020 to mother Ijambo from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.
{{4. Ikaze’s Daughter (Musilikale Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 6 February 2021 to mother Ikaze from the Musilikale family of mountain gorillas.
{{5. Impano’s Son (Igisha Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 8 January 2021 to mother Impano from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.
{{6. Inkubito’s Son (Muhoza Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 7 January 2021 to mother Inkubito from the Muhoza family of mountain gorillas.
{{7. Ishema’s Son (Pablo Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 12 July 2021 to mother Ishema from the Pablo family of mountain gorillas.
{{8. Kubana’s Daughter (Kureba Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 12 December 2020 to mother Kubana from the Kureba family of mountain gorillas.
{{9. Kurudi’s Daughter (Titus Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 18 April 2021 to mother Kurudi from the Titus family of mountain gorillas.
{{10. Magayane’s Son (Hirwa Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 27 June 2021 to mother Magayane from the Hirwa family of mountain gorillas.
{{11.Munezero’s Son (Agashya Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 14 June 2021 to mother Munezero from the Agashya family of mountain gorillas.
{{12. Nchili’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 29 August 2020 to mother Nchili from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.
{{13. Ndimubanzi’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 20 August 2020 to mother Ndimubanzi from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.
{{14. Nezerwa’s Daughter (Amahoro Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 18 June 2021 to mother Nezerwa from the Amahoro family of mountain gorillas.
{{15. Nzeli’s Son (Kureba Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 13 November 2020 to mother Nzeli from the Kureba family of mountain gorillas.
{{16. Okapi’s Daughter (Kwitonda Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 1 January 2020 to mother Okapi from the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas.
{{17. Rugira’s Son (Musilikale Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 30 July 2020 to mother Rugira from the Musilikare family of mountain gorillas.
{{18. Tegereza’s Son (Ntambara Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 24 December 2020 to mother Tegereza from the Ntambara family of mountain gorillas.
{{19. Turiho’s Son (Muhoza Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 26 February 2021 to mother Turiho from the Muhoza family of mountain gorillas.
{{20. Umoja’s Daughter (Hirwa Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 18 December 2020 to mother Umoja from the Hirwa family of mountain gorillas.
{{21. Umujyanama’s Daughter (Pablo Family)}}
This female baby gorilla was born on 9 February 2021 to mother Umujyanama from the Pablo family of mountain gorillas.
{{22. Ururabo’s Son ( Igisha Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 6 July 2021 to mother Ururabo from the Igisha family of mountain gorillas.
{{23. Karema’s Son (Sabyinyo Family)}}
This male baby gorilla was born on 25 January 2021 to mother Karema from the Sabyinyo family of mountain gorillas.
He made the observation on Sunday 19th September 2021 as he chaired the annual meeting of the Broadband Commission.
The virtual meeting was also attended by the co-chair of the commission, Carlos Slim along with co-vice chairs Houlin Zhao and Audrey Azoulay.
This year’s meeting is themed ‘People-centered Approaches to Universal Broadband’.
Kagame who is also the chairperson of the commission stressed that digital cooperation should not be limited to broadband access.
“Before we begin, let me just make brief comments. The first is that digital cooperation needs to go beyond access to broadband. We also need to close the gap in the adoption and use of affordable devices and services, in accessible content, and in digital literacy,” he said.
“The second is to note the value in multi-stakeholder platforms that complement the work of the Broadband Commission, such as the Edison Alliance. Harmonizing these initiatives would create useful synergies,” added Kagame.
The President also recalled that ‘the strength of the Broadband Commission lies in the diversity of the perspectives that our Commissioners bring to the table’.
He concluded his remarks highlighting that the Broadband Commission should continue to be a forum to find consensus and speed up progress towards digital transformation.
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development was established in May 2010 as a joint initiative by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the aim of boosting the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda, and expanding broadband access in every country as key to accelerating progress towards national and international development targets.
The Commission was renamed the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, following the adoption of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015.
Led by President Paul Kagame and Carlos Slim Helù of Mexico, it is co-chaired by ITU’s Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
It is comprised of over 50 Commissioners who represent a cross-cutting group of top CEO and industry leaders, senior policy-makers and government representatives, and experts from international agencies, academia and organizations concerned with development.
Upon arrival at Mocimboa da Praia on Saturday, the ACOS was welcomed by the Joint Force Commander, Maj Gen Innocent Kabandana who briefed him about the progress of military operations against terror groups in Cabo Delgado.
Lt Gen Muganga met Rwandan troops and commended them for the good work done since their arrival in Mozambique.
He further conveyed a message of appreciation from the RDF Commander-in-Chief, President Paul Kagame, for the security achievements gained since the force’s arrival in Cabo Delgado.
The ACOS urged the forces to keep the momentum and continue to be good ambassadors of Rwanda.
Rwandan troops in collaboration with Mozambican Forces fought and dislodged the terror groups from several towns including their main bases in MOCIMBOA DA PRAIA and other localities that include among others AWASSE, PALMA, QUIONGA, CHINDA, MBAU, MAPALANGANHA, TETE, NJAMA, QUELIMANE and most recently SIRI I and SIRI II considered to be their strongholds.
The statement released today reads that NEC has started updating voters’ register and related activities.
Local leaders’ elections scheduled in September and October 2021 will cost Rwf3 billion. It is the first similar elections held during COVID-19 pandemic and will be hosted in compliance with health guidelines.
The elections initially scheduled in February 2021 were postponed due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
The posts awaiting new personnel include committees at village, cell, sector and district level (except for districts in Kigali), and members of councils for special interest groups namely women and youth councils, and the council of people living with disabilities.
NEC recently revealed that there are 340,000 seats in local leadership that will receive new leaders.
Grassroots leaders including mayors down to the village level have a five-year term with a maximum of two terms.
The last term kicked off in 2016 and was expected to end in February 2021.
NEC figures show that a total of 6, 469, 037 voters participated in 2016 local leaders elections while 2018 parliamentary elections attracted 7, 172,612 voters.
