Journalists in Rwanda have elected their new leaders to take them through the two year term with a challenge of bringing back unity and good spirit among journalists.
Collin Haba has been elected as the new president of the Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ) beating Gonza Muganwa and replacing Gaspard Safari who has the president since inception.
Radio Rwanda’s narrator of highlights in different news papers Cleophasi Barole was elected the 1st vice president while Angelique Mukaneza a news anchor on Rwanda Television was elected 2nd vice president of the association.
Journalists that had turned up in a big number also elected Jane Uwimana of Radio 10 as a Secretary General Ten while Charles Kwizera was elected a treasurer of the association plus three advisors that included Justine Mugabo the owner of Isango Star Radio.
Didas Niyifasha of Radio 10 said that election were free, fair and peaceful which brings hope that the new committee may deliver to the expectations.
While speaking to Rwanda Television Robert Mugabe of Great lakes voice an online news paper said that new leadership of Journalist association has a challenge to bring harmony and building the image journalism deserve in Rwanda.
Mugabe also says outgoing committee members were no longer practicing journalists, and had exceeded the term limit.
The election of the new association leadership comes in wide awake of having journalists union instead of association which would handle journalists’ work related problems.
“This is a good democratic step and we are sure that the elections will be fair. We have an obligation to serve the interests of journalists and I hope that the incoming leadership will serve this cause,” Gaspard Safari the former association president said previously.
The leadership is composed of eight-man committee with the president of the association, two vice presidents, a general secretary, treasurer and three advisors.
The outgoing leadership leaves behind a draft constitution for a proposed journalists’ union that the new leadership is mandated to usher in.
ENDS
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