KIGALI – President Paul Kagame, yesterday, said that Rwanda has continued to grow stronger and the Rwandan people are determined to be who they want to be, defying detractors who would want to see the country descend into conflict.

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Kigali Serena Hotel, attended by various government officials and religious leaders, the President said that some sections of the media and human rights groups have put themselves in the place of God, and they want to determine what Rwanda and her people should be.

Kagame said that during the just concluded presidential elections, Rwandans manifested a lot of enthusiasm and strong determination to work for their country’s development, adding that by turning out in big numbers, they made a statement about who Rwandans are and what they stand for.

“These people you saw in big numbers, they were not just after elections, they also wanted to make a strong statement to some people out there who don’t understand who we are,” Kagame said.

The President pointed out that the smear campaign will not divert Rwandans from the path they have decided to take. He pointed out that no individual or country has the right to define what another person or country should be, except God.

He compared the falsehoods being peddled against Rwanda to a spot of mud which can be washed and done away with time.

The President pointed out that Rwanda had to learn the hard way, as a result of her troubled past and Rwandans today will not allow anyone to divide them.

Kagame recounted how his passion to speak the truth for the country and for the Rwandan people, motivated his decision to become President, not the desire for wealth or glory.
The President reminded the audience that a good leader is one who has dignity and attaches value to the people he leads.

Kagame reminded the leaders that the massive turn out during the election rallies, reflects the expectations of the masses which they (leaders) must meet.

“We must meet the expectations of our people. We can only do more, we can only do better, but we can’t do less,” he said.

The President noted that a lot has been achieved over the last seven years and people have testimonies of how their lives have changed, but challenges still exist and there is a urgent need to multiply what is already in place.

Kagame commended the religious leaders for being part of the transformation the country has undergone, noting that religious groups have played a positive role in the development of the country, unlike in the past when religion was used as an instrument of destruction.

In his sermon, Rev. Antoine Rutayisire, called upon the leaders to shun bad practices such as pride, selfishness and moral decadence, adding that good leaders are God fearing, not exploitative and do not forget their electorate.

“A good leader is chosen by God and a good leader puts God ahead, because God does and sees things we can’t do or see as humans,” Rutayisire said.

“The main pitfalls leaders face include, self aggrandizement, wealth accumulation and moral decadence, this has led to the downfall of empires. We should not be complacent as leaders. We should always strive for the best.”

The national prayer breakfast is organised by Rwanda Leaders Fellowship.

Kigali — All roads lead to Gikondo today as the Rwanda International Trade Fair, Expo 2010, opens.

When The New Times visited the Private Sector Foundation (PSF) Expo grounds in Gikondo yesterday, human activity was at peak, with hundreds of exhibitors putting the final touches on their stalls.

Dozens of motorcycles escorted a big advertising truck blaring music which made rounds around the city reminding the public of the opening.

President Paul Kagame is expected to open the “bigger and better” 2010 Expo which has drawn over 129 foreign exhibitors compared to 110 last year, according to Molly Rwigamba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PSF.

“For the last four months, we have been preparing for this Expo and I think all the preparatory work was done early and everything should be set”.

Rwigamba noted that she was optimistic that this year’s trade fair will be more fruitful and vibrant compared to last year where some companies and traders were still recovering from the global financial crisis.

“We have 129 foreign exhibitors from 70 countries. In total, we have 430 exhibitors, including locals,” Rwigamba said.

“When you look at the global economic crisis or financial crisis, there is an upward trend. Things are improving all over the world and you can see it from this exhibition,”

“Business is on track once again. People are ready to exhibit their products and it is also reflected in the number of exhibitors that has gone up,” Rwigamba who spend the day overseeing the final preparations said.

Some of the exhibitors The New Times spoke to expressed optimism that this year’s expo will draw a bigger crowd compared to last year’s.

“We are all set, our stall is ready. We are well prepared to use this opportunity to showcase how ‘East African’ our products are. Absolutely, it is a platform for us to show how our products transcend borders to reach all people in the East African Community.” Andrew Kulayigye, the East African Breweries Limited Country Manager said.

“Our stall is set. We are anticipating receiving a higher number of visitors to our stall compared to last year. Last year we got 600 visitors a day and we are seeing that number go up,” said Dan Kayonga Ruti, the head of communication at Social Security Fund of Rwanda (SSFR)

“We have new products such as online registration where people download forms and apply online as well as other ICT based products.

“The reason we participate is because working people frequent the trade fair and it will be an opportunity for them to learn how they can register for social security.

Read more Rwanda News

Frances and B2R teacher Anna Reed with the kids.

The kids and the B2R team enjoyed reading, singing, and playing with a colorful parachute together. None of the kids ever said they were bored or asked, “whats next?”, because they were perfectly happy sitting on the ground playing ‘cow, cow, chicken’, our Rwandan impromptu version of ‘duck,duck, goose’. The days were filled with new experiences such as face painting and blowing bubbles, which were embraced with great expression and enthusiasm.

The children painted pictures, decorated paper airplanes, and made friendship bracelets. This type of play encourages them to express their imagination and allows them to escape from the hardness of the poverty they live in. The children treasured every little piece of paper, string, and bead, and the B2R team treasured making new friendships and reuniting with old ones.

Blayne Sharpe enjoying his time with Jean Lambert.

Although these children go to a school without enough books, they hunger for an education and are constantly looking for something new to learn. Our team sat amidst children who dream of becoming doctors, teachers, and country leaders. Even in one of the most remote parts of Rwanda, these children know that an education is vital for them to break the chains of poverty. Driven by a spirit of determination, these children represent the bright and wonderful future of Rwanda!

www.motheringacrosscontinents.org

Photos courtesy of Mark Darrough

KIGALI, RWANDA —  After months of international criticism, much fueled by the West’s traditional thoughts of a hopeless Africa and its dirty politics, President Paul Kagame was elected into a second term early yesterday morning.  Everything from the exile of former military leaders to the arrest of an outspoken defense attorney has been intensely scrutinized and blamed on Kagame’s ruling government.  That’s the blueprint for covering African elections.  Yet what hasn’t been covered is a country’s overwhelming support for a leader who has brought security and development to a nation once consumed with violent, extremist politics.

The disapproval of some human rights groups, and their  insistence that America’s long-refined democracy is the  universal solution to the world’s problems, has smeared the  work of an incredibly effective government.   Sixteen years  have passed since the destruction of Rwanda’s  infrastructure, economy, schools and hospitals.  Now the  roads are the best in the region, the economy has been voted  the top reformer in the World Bank’s 2009 Doing Business  Report, the education system is unprejudiced and far-  reaching (the government extended its compulsory education  to the ninth grade), and national health insurance covers  92% of the population (A Poor Nation, With a Help  Plan). Kagame leads with results, and he was re-elected  because of these results.

Now Kagame asks the West for the ultimate trust between the developing and the developed: investment.  American businessmen like Tom Phillips and Scott Ford have responded to Kagame’s call to entrepreneurship, with the founding of Ikiraro Chicken Farms and the Rwanda Trading Company, respectively.  They have responded to Kagame’s call for foreign investment, and are the reason why Rwanda sets itself apart from many aid-dependent African countries.

May of this year saw the inauguration of Ikiraro’s first chicken house, where 2,500 chicks will soon begin laying eggs for a region lacking in protein. Bishop John Rucyahana (pictured) leads a prayer over its operations, with government officials and U.S. industry consultants in attendance.

In 2009 Scott Ford started exporting green coffee beans to the United States and Europe, organizing a network of suppliers to improve the efficiency of Rwanda’s coffee supply chain, as well as providing the best prices to its producers.

It is the establishment of security and progression towards Vision 2020, Kagame’s target of transforming Rwanda into a middle income country by 2020, that has bonded the people with its leader.  Kagame makes decisions for his people, and cares only about policies that bring sustainable results.  Thus the people have entrusted him with their future.  In the lead up to the announcement of the election’s winner, I went to Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium to witness the energy of such overwhelming support.

In the stands sat Rwandan businessmen cheering for a man who makes business easier and more profitable.

Pulsing crowds from Kigali’s low-income housing districts danced wildly on the field, showing their pride for a leader who aims to make them middle class.

And the police stood idle amidst a jubilant crowd, a reminder that only the freedom of safety can enable true progress.

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

More Rwanda news

28 July 2010

Kamonyi — THE Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Presidential candidate, Paul Kagame, has said that he intends to increase free education from nine to 12 years.

Kagame, made the remarks during a campaign rally in Kamonyi District, where more than 95,000 RPF supporters had converged to listen to their candidates’ message.

In 2003, while campaigning for the top office, Kagame pledged nine years of free education, a promise he has since fulfilled. Yesterday, he pledged an additional three years, making both primary and secondary school education free for all, if voted back into office.

The campaign rally in Kamonyi, just like previous ones, was characterized by extreme excitement as residents evidently celebrated Kagame’s visit.

According to the testimonies given during the rally, before Kagame came into office, Kamonyi was isolated and branded a cursed zone. The District, that is located less than 30 kilometers from the capital, Kigali, had no electricity or piped water, until Kagame was elected President.

The residents continuously sang songs in praise of Kagame, thanking him for the developments Kamonyi has registered, as well as restoring their dignity and pride as Rwandans.

Addressing the mammoth excited crowd, Kagame said that work becomes easier when there is a good understanding among the people and that Rwanda’s path to democracy, development, and good governance is very clear, with Kamonyi residents taking lead in that path.

He added that Rwanda is a privileged country with citizens who understand what exactly they want and make their own choices. He reminded the residents that the country has made tremendous progress in all sectors.

The candidate said that he has big plans for Kamonyi, adding that if elected, the district will benefit from the programmes as spelt in his manifesto.

Kagame, went on to assure the residents of security, saying that nobody can ever tamper with the safety of Kamonyi people.

The candidate castigated foreign critics, including some sections of the media, saying that the massive turn out at his rallies sends out the massage as what the Rwandan people want and those who criticize what is happening in the country know nothing about Rwanda. He added that nobody knows better what Rwandans want, than Rwandans themselves.

Kagame, reminded Kamonyi residents that the country was once known for dirty politics, and that the Rwandan people cannot accept to go down that path again.

At the rally, Celestine Habimana, gave a testimony on how his life changed after putting into practice advice from Kagame’s speech, he once heard over the radio.

“I based on his encouragement on innovativeness to start up a business. In partnership with my colleague, we started a small technical school with only Rwf 200, 000, and now the business is worth Rwf 30m, with over 120 students,” Habimana said.

Dativa Nirere, also told the crowd of how she set up a cassava business with a only Rwf 50,000 and now the business is valued at Rwf 5m.

“I have gone through a series of trainings, I’m among the women leaders and I now know how to use a computer,” she said.

Fiber optic cables are being laid across the country (File photo)

A new global report on internet connectivity has put Rwanda among the top three African countries with the fastest internet broadband connectivity and downloading speeds, ranking the country ahead of more developed African economies such as South Africa and Egypt.

The global study, done by Ookla, a world leader in calculating broadband connection speed and web-based network diagnostic applications, was conducted in 180 countries, ranking Rwanda 87th worldwide and 3rd in Africa.

The report shows that Rwanda boasts of high download and upload speeds while its neighbours Kenya and Tanzania are ranked at 103 and 105 respectively.

The report released by the US-based firm on July 17, is based on the study compiled using over one billion results collected from Speedtest.net and Pingtest.net. For downloading speeds, Rwanda has 2.53MB/second.

South Korea emerged the leading nation with the fastest broadband with downloads and uploads speed standing at 32.27 Mbps. Rwanda internet speed supersedes that of an average African nation download speed of 1.6 Mbps.

The report also indicates that the slowest speeds in the world are found in Zambia, at an average 0.26 Mbps.

In terms of uploads speeds Rwanda is ranked at 36, with a speed of 2.03MB/second, putting it alongside China, France and Finland, some of the world’s leading ICT countries.

Rwanda also beats Uganda in terms of uploads while its other neighbours Kenya and Tanzania are trailing behind.

The report also showed that internet users in Rwanda take less time uploading content on line than South Africans, a country which hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Rwandan Government has invested heavily in ICT and plans are underway to make the country an ICT hub.

More Rwanda News