Kigali — The RPF candidate, Paul Kagame, will, for the next seven years, be President of Rwanda after being, overwhelmingly, voted back into office, in yesterday’s Presidential elections.

According to the preliminary results released by the National Electoral Commission, President Kagame won by 92.9 percent.

The PSD candidate, Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, has 4.9 %, Prosper Higiro from the Liberal party (PL) 1.5 % and the PPC candidate, Dr Alvera Mukabaramba 0.7 %.

The NEC chairman, Chrysologue Karangwa, announced the results on state television and radio at approximately 3.45 AM.

Karangwa said that while the final results were yet to be announced, what had been counted, so far, gives a clear picture of what the overall outcome will be.

Members of the Rwandan Diaspora, who had voted on August 8, a day earlier, had, as well overwhelmingly voted for President Kagame. He got a whopping 96.7 %, while Ntawukuliryayo who came second, got 1.5 %. Higiro and Mukabaramaba got 1 % and 0.7 % respectively.

Kagame and his family joined thousands of RPF supporters who had converged at Amahoro National Stadium, to wait for the results.

Upon hearing of the massive win, the excited crowd, who had spent hours dancing, wildly celebrated the anticipated triumph.

In his speech, President Kagame dedicated the victory to the Rwandan people, saying that the massive win is a vindication of their dedication and commitment throughout the campaign and other challenges the country has had to deal with.

Kagame, told his supporters to wait for the final results to be announced, but in reference to the preliminary results, he said, it was evident that it is a victory for the RPF.

The President thanked his supporters, who went through hard times, braving the scorching sun, the dust and sleepless nights to ensure that he is re-elected.

Kagame pointed out that the success of the election is proof that the country has men and women who have values.

The evidently excited President went on to say that he was proud of his supporters and urged the cheering crowd to maintain the momentum and zeal while supporting the government’s programmes for the next seven years and sustain the pace of development.

Kagame noted that the RPF win was victory for development, for all Rwandans and for the new Rwanda.

The colorful celebration was crowned by fireworks which lit up the dark early morning sky.

Appearing on National Television shortly after the provisional results were released, the President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Vincent Biruta, congratulated Kagame for the massive win and pledged to support his leadership.

“By the look of things, it’s clear that that Kagame has won the elections and we congratulate the RPF and Kagame for the victory,” Biruta said.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande and religious leaders join residents to pray for peace during the Monday elections. (Photo D.Sabiiti)

GASABO – Over 12,000 believers from various religious denominations in Kigali City yesterday thronged Amahoro National Stadium to pray for today’s Presidential elections to be peaceful. The crusade which kicked off in the afternoon till sunset was dubbed “Rwanda is in your hands Lord.”

The event was mostly characterized by prayers by several pastors, testimonies and entertainment from local church choirs such as the renowned Rehoboth Ministries, Catholic Choir, Amahoro and Hosiana of ADEPR and Adventist church, and a special entertainment from The Sisters.

Pastor Antoine Rutayisire, the senior pastor of St. Etienne who observed that bad politics plunged the country into Genocide, urged all churches to wake up and play their role in changing the mindset of Rwandans.

“It’s now our (churches) time to pave the way for a better Rwanda. Rwanda is ours always. If we sleep, it will crumble down,” Rutayisire noted, calling on all Rwandans to love and always pray for their country.

He recalled the day of April 17, 1994 when he was among those who survived in the Stadium and said “Rwanda was destroyed by Rwandans who should join hands to rebuild it.

” Bishop Faustin Bashaka observed that Rwanda has made a tremendous step in development, especially in the last seven years. Economy, good governance, education, healthcare and decentralization are among the sectors, Bashaka said have developed.

“All these and the peace and security Rwandans are enjoying was a result of good leadership and such leaders need to be rewarded…but only the lord can,” he said.

Various clergymen and women prayed that Rwanda continues to be peaceful. Charles Murigande, the Minister of Education, who presided over the event, commended the religions’ efforts to change Rwandans.

He commended them for their partnership with the government in creating a peaceful country and to partner in having a seven year term of peace and development.

The crusade organised in partnership with Kigali City was also attended by the city Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira and the Anglican church Archbishop, Emmanuel Kolini, among others.

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14347&article=32324

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Fans of President Paul Kagame Are Now Networking Online Through a Well designed website that has highly active blogs, latest news, videos as some of its components.

With days of being hosted on its own domain name; www.mykagame.org, the website has already registered thousands of national and international fans, according to Kennedy Kaze, one of the IT experts who developed the highly interactive website.

“The traffic on the website is increasing each minute, each hour, each day that passes. This is an indication of the popularity of our President,” he observed.

He added that he is “not surprised by the good trend since President Kagame has influence and touched many lives in a positive way.”

“These blogs prove the high sense of pride, love and respect that the fans have for the President,” Kaze observed.

A short review of the website shows options for fans to join for free, the President’s profile, awards and achievements.

Others include the President’s pledges and manifesto, alongside sections for the main events and entertainment.

Most of the blogs posted on the website by both Rwandans and foreigners pour a lot of praise on the President for developing the nation, re-instilling a sense of pride among Rwandans and re-building a sense of unity countrywide.

“I admire President Kagame’s statesmanship,” says a blog posted by one Ruganzu.

“All fans will also be able to follow the President’s campaign trail live on the website through a blog that will be updated by the minute as the President campaigns through the country,” observed another fan, Karl Steiner, who stays abroad.

“It feels good being able to share thoughts, ideas with fellow fans through this forum. We’re even able to advise our leaders on issues to address during the second term of office,” observed another excited fan who only identified herself as Claire.

Copyright © 2010 The New Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

For more Rwanda News – visit www.bridge2rwanda.org

Kigali — President Paul Kagame, Friday, challenged the youth to be major achievers, saying that there is a lot they can offer that other people in the country or continent are looking up to in order to attain their own aspirations.

Kagame made these remarks at the award-giving ceremony dubbed “Celebrating Young Rwandan Achievers,” (CYRWA), an initiative of the Imbuto Foundation.

While addressing guests, the President urged the young men and women not to waste themselves or their time, but rather they should go ahead and achieve what they can to drive the nation to prosperity.

“There is nobody else that is going to do it for you. Nobody else is going to do it for our country and nobody will do it for our continent.

“We Africans are always referred to as poor, the disaster area, poverty stricken .People will sympathise with you, come and help, but that is all.”

He noted that the more achievers, the stronger the critical mass that will make the development process more dynamic and faster, hence enabling the country to stand on its own.

“We don’t have to wait for tomorrow, it should have been yesterday… There is a lot in young people that we can build on to be where others are today. These youngsters have shown us that it can be done”.

“In other parts of the world, some people have taken prosperity for granted while we are still struggling for it. We must work hard to enable our young people achieve what they can.” Kagame emphasised.

As regards self sustainability, the President advised the youth to work hard, think hard and smart to develop themselves and their country.

Kagame also reminded the audience that it is not pre-ordained that Rwanda or Africa should remain poor, but rather it is imperative to invest energy and time to change the situation.

“It is not written anywhere, whether in the Bible, Quran or dictionary, that Rwanda or Africa, are there to remain poor, or that we are sub-human and others are superior and more human that they should look after us. “Our nation will develop through building on energies and successes of individuals as well. You can not develop Rwanda or Africa unless you start from the individual to the nation and then to the continent,” Kagame noted.

He therefore recognised the achievers as representatives that other people look to for more achievement and contribution to Rwanda’s overall development.

The President pointed out that the young recipients of the awards were not only achievers, but also examples to others.

Eight young Rwandans who have strived towards the highest levels of personal and professional excellence, and in turn contributed meaningfully to their communities, were given prestigious awards at the colourful ceremony.

Larissa Kaze, Jean Pierre Muranga, David Mwambari and Beth Kayitesi were among those awarded.

The First Lady and Patron of Imbuto foundation, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame also urged the young achievers to be torch bearers that must endeavour to live to the expectations of those who nominated and awarded them.
“I encourage you to aim for excellence, to believe in yourselves, to educate, engage and empower other young people and most of all, surround yourselves with people who bring out the best in you. Such are qualities of leaders who aspire to be part of a dignified generation,” she urged.

The government, One United Nations family, the Private Sector Federation, and individual contributors were recognised for the support they render to the Foundation’s activities.

Kaze, a US based Rwandan who won the award for reaching out to the community through three orphanages that she founded in the country, also pledged her continuous support to community development.

The programme which started in 2007 aims at promoting visionary leadership, excellence, integrity and the zeal to aspire to inspire other young people.

In a recent interview with Bill Clinton, President Paul Kagame is mention in this excerpt as one of the top leaders to watch according to President Clinton…to read full article visit http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/11/19/bill_clintons_world?page=full

Foreign Policy: Top three leaders that people should pay attention to, other than Obama.

Bill Clinton: The prime minister of Australia, Kevin Michael Rudd — he is really smart. He has a thirst to know and figure out how to do things.

I think people should study what Paul Kagame did in Rwanda. It is the only country in the world that has more women than men in Parliament (obviously part of the demographic is from the genocide). It may not be perfect, but Rwanda has the greatest capacity of any developing country I have seen to accept outside help and make use of it. It’s hard to accept help. They’ve done that. And how in God’s name does he get every adult in the country to spend one Saturday every month cleaning the streets? And what has the psychological impact of that been? The identity impact? The president says it’s not embarrassing, it’s not menial work, it’s a way of expressing your loyalty to and your pride in your country. How do you change your attitudes about something that you think you know what it means? How did he pull that off?

To read full article visit http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/11/19/bill_clintons_world?page=full

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