The Kayonza District Executive Committee—including Mayor Nyemazi John Bosco, Munganyinka Hope (in charge of Economic Development), and Harelimana Jean Damascène (in charge of Social Affairs)—has been dismissed from office.
The decision was taken on Sunday, December 7, 2025, during a meeting of the Kayonza District Council, which ruled that the leaders had failed to adequately fulfill their responsibilities.
Their removal comes amid growing concern over hunger that recently hit parts of the district—especially in Ndego and Mwiri—forcing some residents to flee their homes in search of food.
Residents of Ndego told journalists that prolonged drought had devastated their crops, leaving families in hardship and prompting some to migrate. Kayonza District is home to 457,156 people, according to the 2022 census.
The leadership was dismissed after complaints that, although the government had food stocks available for affected families, negligence and delays at the district level meant help did not reach those who needed it.
Doreen Basiime Kalimba, Chairperson of the Kayonza District Council, told Radio Rwanda that the outgoing district leaders had for a long time shown weak coordination and poor teamwork.
“When you delay solving a problem, it creates another,” she said. “That is why we found it necessary to relieve them of their duties so others can step in.”
She added that measures are being put in place to ensure continuity as new leaders are sought.
Kalimba urged residents to report issues without fear, saying silence often worsens service delays.
“Citizens should share information on time. They should not tolerate poor services. Good service delivery is their right,” she said.
Nyemazi John Bosco was elected Mayor of Kayonza District on November 19, 2021. Munganyinka Hope joined the Executive Committee in 2018 and was later re-elected. Harelimana Jean Damascène was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021.
Kayonza has long battled recurrent droughts, but major irrigation projects are planned to address these challenges. Early in 2026, the government will begin constructing two large-scale irrigation schemes in Kayonza and Kirehe, worth Rwf 205 billion.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the projects will irrigate more than 5,000 hectares and are expected to help resolve persistent drought in areas bordering Akagera National Park in Eastern Rwanda.
