Normally, every voter is supposed to vote from the village where he or she is registered but NEC has changed the directive in order to facilitate an easier voting process.
In a statement released on election day, Monday, July 15, 2024, the Electoral body said that some people may not have been able to transfer their names to another polling station and this should not infringe on their civic right.
“NEC announces that people who have not been able to relocate their names in the national voters’ register are allowed to vote at the nearest polling sites after verifying that they are registered on the voters’ list, and they will be added to the annex,” reads the statement.
This authorization is based on act No. 001/24 of February 19, 2024 guiding the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on regulations and provisions regarding presidential and parliamentary elections.
In the past, certain groups of people have been allowed to vote from a polling station that is near to them, not necessarily where they were registered due to the nature of their jobs.
They include essential workers such as medics, emergency service providers, and security personnel continue to operate as usual to ensure public safety and welfare. Others are journalists, students sitting for national examinations and the sick.
Election observers of Rwandan nationality, representatives of political organizations and independent candidates are also allowed to cast their ballot at the polling station they are working from.
The general election kicked off in the diaspora on Sunday, July 14, 2024, with Rwandans across 70 countries participating in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
In Rwanda, voting started at 7:00 am on Monday, July 15, and is scheduled to close at 3:00 pm.
On Tuesday, July 16, female Members of Parliament, two youth representatives, and one representative of people living with disabilities will be elected by special electoral colleges across the country.
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According to EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva, Maraga will lead a group of 55 observers across the country to monitor how the elections are conducted in line with existing laws.
The team will then be required to file a detailed report, highlighting key aspects of the electoral process including electoral preparedness, polling day events, and result declaration.
“The team will be assessing the level of compliance with the electoral processes and management to the international, regional, and national established laws, principles, and practices,” Maraga stated after his appointment.
“It will also be assessing adherence to the democratic principles of the EAC as enshrined in the Treaty; and offering objective recommendations for continuous improvement for the conduct of such elections.”
Yesterday, Maraga hosted mission heads from the African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to a breakfast engagement in Kigali. The Mission heads shared experiences on Rwanda’s preparedness for the general election.
Three candidates are vying for the presidency in Rwanda in this year’s polls. They are independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, Frank Habineza, the leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Paul Kagame, the incumbent president and flag bearer of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi).
Maraga served as Kenya’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya between October 2016 and January 2021.
The former CJ’s tenure was marked by the historic nullification of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election in 2017. It was the first presidential election to be annulled not only in Kenya but also on the whole African continent.
A seven-judge bench led by Maraga cited illegalities and irregularities as the reason for nullifying the election results contested by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“The greatness of any nation lies in its fidelity to the Constitution and adherence to the rule of law and, above all, respect for God,” Maraga remarked in a brief ruling.
Uhuru easily won a repeat election ordered by the Supreme Court after Odinga’s party boycotted the polls.
The movie entitled “THE HEAD” is a family drama that navigates real-life experiences surrounding family life, exploring men who would be heads of these families either staying away or neglecting their natural duties and responsibilities.
It portrays scenarios of seemingly perfect families which unravel when certain deep-rooted secrets come to light. The film delves into complexities of family dynamics, loyalty, and the struggle for identity.
Set against the backdrop of a charming, close-knit storyline, the film uses scenic beauty and the intimate community atmosphere to contrast various unifying factors between Rwanda and Uganda, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures.
It features renowned actors from Umurage Art Films from Rwanda and prominent movie stars from Flair Film Promotions, a Ugandan-based dynamic and innovative film company dedicated to promoting the rich and diverse cinematic landscape in the region.
According to Jeniffer Nankabirwa, the Film Producer and CEO at Flair Film Promotions, “THE HEAD” is an educative and entertaining movie disseminating information and knowledge that contributes to the establishment and sustainability of a family.
“It speaks to fathers, mothers and children in a family setup. It’s a campaign to empower everyone to know and undertake their responsibilities as members of a family,” she said in an interview.
Nankabirwa revealed that if all goes as planned, the movie will be premiered on September 1, 2024, at Club Obligato in Kampala. It will also be premiered in Kigali at a later date.
She said that uniting with Rwandan actors was a well-thought vision to disseminate this important message to expanded horizons in the East African region and beyond.
“The ultimate goal is to work with actors from other countries including Kenya and Tanzania to reach out to larger audiences with this vital information of promoting family health amongst the public,” she noted.
When diverse talents and visions merge to create an unforgettable cinematic experience, public sensitization becomes much easier especially when it involves different beliefs and cultures.
Having successfully completed numerous shooting sessions in both countries, Nankabirwa says that efforts are underway to have the movie ready for more international showcasing.
The collaborative nature of the movie, considering the global and diverse effort to build relationships and sustainable families, suits into Rwanda’s vision of promoting the family as the smallest unit of the country’s populace.
It also speaks volumes towards the country’s strategies in empowering the film and arts industry not only to entertain but also educate and unite their audiences, fostering a greater sense of East African unity and shared identity.
During the 9th edition of Mashiriki African Film Festival held in Kigali, in November last year, suggestions were put forward on how to collectively strengthen the film industry in the region with collaborations between actors from different countries taking centre stage.
This movie is one of several recent productions that have highlighted the growing talent and unique storytelling emerging from both Rwanda and Uganda.
Such productions can serve as platforms to pass on important communication while still enabling the recipients to enjoy and grasp the message in an entertaining way.
In a statement released Sunday, July 14, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Crooks as a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles south of Butler, where Trump was holding his rally.
Crooks is reported to have opened fire from a nearby building rooftop, causing panic in the crowd. Photos and videos that went viral on social media moments after the shooting showed Trump holding his bloodied ear before dropping to the ground, where Secret Service agents helped him take cover.
Trump was rushed off stage, but not before boldly pumping his fist into the air and twice telling the crowd to “fight!” He was then taken by car to a hospital in the Pittsburgh area.
Later, he posted on social media that he had been hit by a bullet in the upper part of his ear.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s campaigners said the Republican was doing “fine” after the shooting.
Authorities have since confirmed that one person was killed and two others were left in critical condition after the shooting.
Crooks was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene and the FBI has promised investigations into the shocking incident.
Media reports indicate that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
Preliminary investigations show that he was registered to vote as a Republican, according to a listing in Pennsylvania’s voter database that matched his name, age, and a Bethel Park address.
This year’s presidential election would have been his first voting.
President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term in the forthcoming polls, condemned the shooting incident, adding that he was grateful Trump is “safe and doing well.”
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” Biden said in a statement.
Trump, a member of the Republican Party, is running for a second, non-consecutive term in the November 5, 2024, general election after losing to Biden in the 2020 polls.
Polling in the diaspora was conducted at 160 stations in 70 countries, including 44 embassies.
A total of 77,138 voters in the diaspora, comprising 41,243 males and 35,895 females, had registered to vote in this year’s general election, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). By press time, many had already turned up to cast their votes.
Overall, 9,071,157 Rwandans, including 4.2 million males and 4,845,417 females, are eligible to vote in this year’s general election.
Rwandans living in Saudi Arabia turned out in large numbers at the Embassy of Rwanda in Riyadh to cast their votes. Embassy officials said the Rwandans “were excited to exercise their civic right in voting for leaders of their choice.”
By 7 am (Rwandan time), Rwandans in Belgium and Luxembourg mobilized in large numbers to participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Twenty-six-year-old Mike Ntasinzira could not hide his excitement to vote for the first time. He said, “We didn’t engage in politics a lot back home, but in recent years, I have become closer to the community and got interested in learning more about my country.”
In Gothenburg, Sweden, voting was a family affair as children escorted their parents to the polling stations.
“I am a first-time voter and I am super excited. It has been raining, but today I feel blessed and really happy to contribute in choosing the good leaders of our country and our future,” said 25-year-old Sonya Isimbi.
Long queues were also witnessed at Rwandan embassies in Kampala, Uganda; Nairobi, Kenya; Dar es Salaam, and Rabat in Morocco, as citizens came out to exercise their civic rights.
In Germany, voting took place in Berlin and Kaiserslautern, where enthusiastic Rwandans turned out to make their choices count in this year’s polls.
Like other Rwandans living in the Central African Republic, members of Rwanda’s security forces who are in the country on a mission to restore peace were elated to also participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The diaspora was the first group to vote in the general election. Locals are scheduled to vote for the President and Members of the house (Chamber of Deputies) on Monday, July 15 2024.
On July 16, 24 female Members of Parliament, two youth representatives, and one representative of people living with disabilities will be elected by special electoral colleges across the country.
Three candidates are vying for the Presidency in Rwanda in this year’s polls.
They are independent Candidate Philippe Mpayimana, Frank Habineza, the leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Paul Kagame, the incumbent president and flag bearer of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi.
Addressing journalists on Saturday, July 13 2024 after his last campaign rally, the RPF Inkotanyi presidential candidate noted that his administration has efficiently used every penny of the country’s limited resources towards development in all sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture.
“We have made progress because we have concentrated on the real issues that matter to the people—that is, the people themselves. We have concentrated on what matters to them and what improves their lives. We have deployed every penny of our limited resources to just do that, whether it is in the area of education, health, infrastructure, or agriculture. There is self-food sufficiency,” President Kagame stated.
He emphasized that his administration had put in place elaborate mechanisms to prevent the wastage and theft of public funds, unlike many other countries where corruption is rampant.
“In many places, it (money) is stolen from the treasury; by the time it is supposed to be used, maybe half of it is pocketed by some individuals. So it gets lost through various means.
“We make sure we fight corruption alongside everything else we are doing. And we are committed to doing it, and we are not apologetic about ensuring that we hold ourselves accountable. That is important.”
He pledged to continue the RPF administration’s development agenda if re-elected in the Monday polls by prioritising the security and economic stability of the country.
During the last day of the campaign, the RPF flag bearer implored the electorate to strive with a singular mission to continue the country’s development agenda without being distracted by naysayers.
“I encourage and assure you that you shall be what you want to be, not how others want you to be. Ignore their ill-fated words because they don’t kill. Poverty kills, insecurity kills, ignorance kills but words don’t kill,” he said.
“As the government, we have made the right priorities by concentrating on what matters most to the people. Your large numbers here today are testimony to this. I have seen throughout the campaigns that you are a people living for a purpose,” he added.
The Head of State had back in April indicated that Rwanda will be five times better if the current momentum of social and economic development is maintained.
President Kagame said that the country had defied the odds to record tremendous growth over the last 30 years, when the country was derailed by the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“In the next 30 years we will continue making progress and be where others are even though some of them take it for granted. We see developed countries, why can’t Rwanda or Africa develop to that level or even beyond,” Kagame reasoned.
He highlighted that with the right politics in the country and the region, Rwanda will be far much better than its current state.
“The Rwanda of the next 30 years should maybe be three, four, or five times better than what you are seeing now. The next three decades should bring even more development because we are not coming from the grave; this time we are coming from some level of progress,” he added.
The campaigns have showcased several unique and notable characteristics that reflect the country’s political culture, democratic maturity, and commitment to development.
Overall, this season has provided a platform of diverse voices and visions for Rwanda’s future, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and participatory governance.
Now that the campaign season has come to an end, the focus has shifted to ensuring a peaceful and transparent election, setting the stage for Rwanda’s next chapter in governance and development.
As Rwandans look forward to a decisive election that will shape the trajectory of the nation, some key aspects and events have stood out.
There has been diverse political participation by various political parties, including the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), Social Democratic Party (PSD), and Liberal Party (PL) where each of them presented distinct platforms and visions for Rwanda’s future.
Generally, the campaigns heavily emphasized ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, such as road construction, energy provision, and technological advancements. Candidates highlighted their commitment to continuing Rwanda’s rapid development trajectory.
On the last day, Paul Kagame, the RPF-Inkotanyi flag bearer implored the electorate to strive with a singular mission to mainly continue the country’s development agenda without getting bothered by what other people say.
“I encourage and assure you that you shall be what you want to be, not how others want you to be. Ignore their ill-fated words because they don’t kill. Poverty kills, insecurity kills, ignorance kills but words don’t kill,” he said.
“As the government, we have made the right priorities by concentrating on what matters most to the people. Your large numbers here today are testimony to this. I have seen throughout the campaigns that you are a people living for a purpose,” he added.
RPF, known for its significant role in ending the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, held its last campaign rally at Gahanga in Kicukiro district.
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is the main opposition party.
Throughout the campaign, its flag bearer and presidential hopeful Dr Frank Habineza, focused on promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and several other political reforms
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Liberal Party (PL) joined six other parties to form a coalition and support the RPF candidate for the position of President.
However, in a bid to vie for parliamentary positions, both parties campaigned on platforms of economic growth, social equity, and enhanced democratic practices.
On July 13, 2024, when the official campaigns ended, Dr Vincent Biruta, the leader of PSD said that the decision to support RPF was taken after consultative discussions with the electorate.
“Our position to support RPF was informed by Rwandans who have shown us that they love their president, we also have to accept and support their choice. We are confident that we shall win together,” he said.
Kigali moved four slots from ninth in the World’s Best Awards 2024, behind Morocco’s Marrakesh, Cape Town, Jerusalem, and Dubai respectively. The awards are organized by Travel + Leisure, a travel magazine based in New York City.
The annual award program considers traveller experiences to rank the top cities around the globe. The parameters used to rate the cities include sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value.
In the 2024 edition of the awards, voters described Kigali as a beautiful hub, very organized with friendly and helpful residents.
“Amazingly clean and progressive city! I felt safe walking all over,” wrote a voter. “There is a wide variety of cuisine available and amazing coffee.”
The list was dominated by countries from North Africa, led by Morocco and Egypt. Fez in Morocco took the sixth position, with one respondent said to have described the city as “a treasure trove of culture and history! A must-see if you are in Morocco.”
The much smaller city of Essaouira still in Morocco was ranked number seven, marking its first reappearance on the list since 2021. Tel Aviv in Israel secured the eighth position, followed by Luxor and Cairo of Egypt.
Kigali first featured on the list in 2021 as Rwanda continued to position itself as a premier destination for tourism and high-profile conferences.
In 2023, when Kigali was ranked ninth, the Tourism sector recorded an impressive growth to record $650 million (RWF 832 billion) in revenues. This represented a 35 percent increase in revenue compared to 2022, according to the Rwanda Development Board.
Rwanda welcomed 25,927 gorilla visitors in 2023, marking a 29.4 percent increase recorded in 2022. This is the highest number of visitors received in the country’s history.
The city has also featured in several other high profile rankings including last year when it was recognized as Africa’s premier smart city. Thirty cities participated in the assessment, according to the 2023 African Smart City Index.
In May, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) revealed that Rwanda was named the second most popular destination for international business conferences in Africa for the year 2023.
ICCA’s “Country and City Rankings for 2023” placed Rwanda behind South Africa, which hosted 98 international events compared to Kigali’s 32 events.
Kenya came in third with 29 international events, followed by Egypt and Morocco, which hosted 28 and 26 international conferences and meetings, respectively.
ICCA has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is the global community and knowledge hub for international association meetings industry, offering data, education, communication channels, as well as business development and networking opportunities.
Kagame narrated that while still living in exile, he regularly visited Rwanda and it was on one such visits that he came face to face with a scary military guard but managed to pull off a narrow escape by pretending to read a book on the street.
“I occasionally visited Rwanda to check on some relatives. I think it was three times; in 1977, 1978 and 1979. My relative Claver Muyango, a former Director General at the Ministry of Health who used to live in Kiyovu hosted me,” he recalled.
One day he went for a walk in the neighborhood and met a soldier who continuously called him out but Kagame pretended to read a book he was holding and ignored the soldier’s signals.
“The more he called me, the more I pretended to concentrate on the book until he started walking towards me. When he got close to me, I was a bit afraid and ran away sneaking through the neighbouring houses until I reached home. I even never told the people at home what had happened,” he said
The Head of State was speaking on his second last day of the presidential campaign in Bumbogo Sector, Gasabo District where he thanked the residents for their hard work and efforts in the collective development of the country.
“I have not come to ask you for votes, I have just come to thank you for your unwavering support and participation in the achievements we have registered so far,” he told the supporters.
He spoke strongly against the discrimination exhibited by previous regimes that condemned its nationals (even those who were in the country) to live as refugees.
Kagame castigated critics who trade the narrative that having peaceful campaigns and elections is an indicator of a lack of democracy.
“In other countries, there is usually chaos and fighting during such times of campaigns. Even in this here people would display hate to the extent of killing each. And that’s what the call democracy?” he wondered.
During the campaign, several people praised RPF for its leading role in ensuring the forward trajectory of the country’s development agenda.
Two of the speakers who shared their thoughts include Dr Yvan Butera and Irere Claudette the State Ministers of Health and Education respectively. They are proud to call themselves the PK generation.
As the campaigns draw closer to the end, the RPF candidate will visit the people of Gahanga in Kicukiro district tomorrow July 13, 2024.
The general elections are slated for Monday, July 15, 2024.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed Koome’s resignation on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Mohamed said President Ruto had accepted Koome’s decision to step aside and named the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service as the Acting IG, pending the appointment of a new police boss.
“HIS EXCELLENCY William Samoei Ruto, Ph.D., CGH, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, has on this 12th day of July, 2024, accepted the resignation of Eng. Japheth N. Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service,”
Mohamed announced.
The Kenyan Head of State also effected various changes within the senior police ranks. In the changes, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Noor Gabow, was redeployed the Public Service.
Koome has been under fire over excessive force used by the police during the anti-tax protests that rocked Kenya in recent weeks. At least 39 people were killed and dozens others injured during the protests witnessed in various parts of the country.
He was accused of remaining silent as police used live ammunition on protesters in the capital Nairobi. Police were also linked to abductions of young people believed to be the ringleaders of the “Gen Z” led protests.
The changes in the police service come a day after President Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet, sparing only the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who doubles as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
The decision was taken “upon reflection, and a holistic appraisal” of the Cabinet, the Kenyan Head of State said in a televised address.
He pledged to engage in “extensive consultations” to form a “broad-based” new government.
Some of the fired Cabinet Secretaries had lost public confidence due to poor performance and wastage of public resources, prompting demands for their removal from office.
Prior to this, Ruto had made several concessions including withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which sought to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
