IGIHE

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  • Our politics has changed for better-Kagame

    {The RPF Inkotanyi flag bearer, President Paul Kagame who was accompanied by the First Lady Jeannette Kagame, told the people of Rusizi that in the past 23 years, the country’s politics has changed for the best and people in all positions of leadership are now focused on the interests of all Rwandans.
    }

    Kagame who was campaigning in Nyakabuye Sector of Rusizi District, addressed residents from at least 7 sectors.

    At the rally held near the famous hot springs (amashyuza), the incumbent said that his government will strive to ensure that every Rwandan has access to electricity in their home, saying that this is a right for everyone.

    At the rally, he elaborated the country’s governance system, saying that the Rwandan approach to politics is to deliver what best suits Rwandans and their aspirations.

    “The kind of politics we have now is new compared to what we had 23 years ago. The politics we currently have brought us together, one that promotes unity and for us, that is the kind of democracy we know and it works for us,” Kagame said.

    He added that the last 23 years have been about building a new Rwanda with a people united and geared towards prosperity.

    He promised that casting a vote in favour of RPF during August polls will mean choosing continued development in all sectors.

    “Our promises are not mere politicking. We have a record that we deliver on what we promise and will continue to work with you to ensure all that is in our manifesto is delivered,” President Kagame noted.

    The ultimate aim of RPF, he saidm, is to create as many opportunities as possible to ensure no Rwandan is left behind in the journey to prosperity.

  • Kagame orders expedited completion of Rusizi Marine Bay Hotel

    {President Paul Kagame has directed the speedy completion of a modern hotel currently under construction in Rusizi District, in the Western Province, where he indicated that it is the last time he is reminding concerned parties to expedite its completion as it is expected to generate a lot of opportunities, yet, its construction is being subjected to sluggishness. }

    The construction of Hotel Bay kicked off in 2008, by Cyangugu Catholic Diocese under the trading name Ituze, but as the diocese resources dwindled, it sought for joint investment. When he last went to Rusizi District in 2015, President Kagame requested the stakeholders, including local leaders to speed up construction activities of the Hotel and assigned Rwanda Development Bank to oversee its construction activities.

    The hotel is a joint venture of Cyangugu Diocese, all Western Province Districts and Rwanda Development Bank.

    When Kagame was on his campaign trail in Gihundwe Sector, on 28th July 2017, he said that it was his last time to remind concerned parties that the Hotel was supposed to have been completed in 2016.

  • Rwanda can overcome any kind of challenges -President Kagame to Rutsiro people

    {The RPF Inkotanyi candidate President Paul Kagame on Thursday assured people of Rutsiro District in the Western Province that through unity, Rwanda can overcome any kind of challenges. }

    Kagame made the comments while outlining some of the development plans he has for Rutsiro district during his campaign rally on Thursday.

    While addressing a mammoth crowd in the Western Province, his first stop of the campaign on Day 14, Kagame said that “there is no battle we can’t win.”

    “The battle we mean here is that which is intended to build the nation. With unity at the center of everything we do, there’s nothing that will fail us,” he said.

    “I have heard you outlined several achievements. We haven’t reached where we should. Better things are yet to come,”

    The incumbent President went on to outline some of the plans he has for Rutsiro District that include exploiting mineral resources the area is endowed with and optimizing Lake Kivu.

    Kagame further promised that his next mandate would as well ensure that his leadership sets up all necessary grounds to nurture better citizens of tomorrow.

    Over 70% of the Rwandan population is youth, from age 14-35 years. Like many developing countries, Rwanda’s population as a whole is quite young.

    On this issue, Kagame assured the thousands of jubilating youth that they deserve the quality education and all other services to help them grow into responsible future leaders.

    “The youth are the pillar of a nation; we want to nurture our young people through building better schools that offer better quality of education and consequently, they will serve the nation better,” he said.

    Rutsiro was the fourth district in the Western Province to be visited by the RPF-Inkontanyi flag bearer after Ngororero, Nyabihu and Rubavu on Wednesday.

  • Kagame promises to eradicate Poverty in Nyabihu

    {The RPF-Inkotanyi presidential candidate, Paul Kagame reassured residents in Nyabihu District that his government will make poverty history once he is elected back in the top office.
    }

    The incumbent President was campaigning in the Western district on Wednesday before thousands of his supporters at Groupe Scolaire Rambure.

    Kagame said that partnership and collaboration among Rwandans will remain key in driving the country’s path to development.

    “Nothing will be impossible for us if we continue working together. Our goals are development, security, unity, and let’s work to achieve them,” he said, urging residents in Nyabihu to vote for him in the forthcoming presidential election.

    He promised to keep improving essential infrastructures such as roads, electricity, and schools.

    “You need to give us a chance so we can continue to work towards achieving so much more of these essential things,” he said.

    He said that under his government, more women and children will have a decent life because he wants to eradicate poverty and malnutrition in the country.

    “We don’t want any more malnourished children because we have enough food. We want to eradicate poverty, we want to end malnutrition and in the next seven years we shall continue to work towards achieving these goals,” he said.

    Residents Nyabihu credit President Kagame for promoting unity and reconciliation, which have been essential for bringing back peace and security in their area, promoting education for all children, and improving agriculture and livestock farming.

  • Kagame assures Rubavu residents of consolidating gains

    {The RPF-Inkontanyi flag bearer Paul Kagame on Wednesday said that he will consolidate Peace, Security, and Unity in the country during his next term in office.
    Kagame made the promise while addressing over 300,000 RFP-Supporters during his third and final rally on Wednesday in Mudende, in Rubavu District. }

    “We will achieve great things together. We are building a prosperous and secure nation together…nothing is impossible to a determined people,” he said.

    He took the time to thank the people of Rubavu for turning up in big numbers.
    Thank you for coming in big numbers. Thank you for showing support to RPF Inkotanyi,” said the President.

    He told the people of Rubavu district that if re-elected, he would work to consolidate peace, Security, and unity in the area.

    “For so long as we have been working to restore peace, unity and bring development…I want to tell you that After August 4, it will be the same trend.”

    Before Rubavu Kagame stopped over in Nyabihu District on the same day, where thousands of his supporters in the district were gathered at Groupe Scolaire Rambura, a secondary school in the district’s Rambura Sector.

    He was welcomed with pomp that featured songs about his government’s policies and their resolve to vote for him next month.

    The Chairman is today expected to campaign in Karongi and Rutsiro districts of Western Province.

  • End of July Umuganda for polling preparations

    {The Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) has announced that the end of July 2017 Umuganda ‘monthly mandatory cleaning’ will focus on cleaning and preparation of voting centers.
    }

    Citizens will be doing Umuganda at Cell level, cleaning and preparing where voting will take place. However, MINALOC said that those involved in commercial activities like transport will continue, as usual, offering service to the public.

    The Executive Secretary for NEC, Charles Munyaneza, has appreciated the way Presidential elections preparations are being conducted and requested Rwandans to continue ensuring harmony during the entire voting process.

  • 2017 Elections: Unity in Diversity

    {The second week of campaigns was characterized by huge turn up of Rwandans, and being an early riser and thus turned up early at most venues, I witnessed firsthand zeal by Rwandans especially the rural folk to attend President Kagame’s rallies and emotionally so. }

    From young to old, famers to business men, all brought together to support a candidate that has transformed their lives visibly. To foreigners, this may have been mistaken for a religious convention of people that want to give testimonies of how they have been healed, made rich, got married, got children and want more of the same or better still more of more through spiritual powers. Yet these were political rallies of a candidate that touched the hearts and minds of many akin to religious conventional relies. The difference is that, in religious rallies one gets his prayers answered on the basis of faith and hope.

    In President Kagame’s rallies, the issue of hope is negated by his historical delivery of all his promises to Rwandans so much so that, his word and deeds are integrated to the highest order possible. And so the thousands that turn up go back home with promises to be fulfilled and not political wish list that is repeated in the next election.

    And unlike in many African campaigns where incumbent’s failure is blamed on account meddling in government programs by opposition, stealing of budgeted funds through outright corruption, lack of donor funds name it, in our case such does not happen. Which is why President Kagame’s campaign rallies are more of celebrations of achievements beyond achievements attained and an outline of more and better yet to come. And so his trade mark “imvugo ni yo ngiro” loosely translated as “he delivers what he has promised” has made brand Kagame unassailable, and through this brand Rwanda as a country that delivers.

    A senior member of opposition parties allied to RPF and a friend for a while who attended these rallies for the first time alluded to the fact that, really popularity of President Kagame among Rwandans populous and love these have for him is a kin to a religious prophet that delivers miracles, and that no other Rwandan leader will ever marshal such in the foreseeable future.

    {{Input of leaders of allied Political Parties.}}

    This time round though, leaders of other political parties spoke in support of the candidacy of President Paul Kagame and from their heart. From the leaders of PL to PSD etc, all gave their testimonies as to why they support President Paul Kagame.

    In fact, these same leaders are part of ruling coalition that can lay claim to our transformation but acknowledge the exemplary leadership of President Paul Kagame that has baffled them as to the manner in which he has delivered for Rwanda in manner that defeats comprehension and with minimum means financial and human capacities.

    This is where foreigners draw confusion. In Rwanda unlike in other democracies, the winner-takes-it all model doesn’t exist. Even after winning overwhelmingly President Kagame and RPF shares with other parties both positions and management of our country. These parties are brought together by unity of purpose i.e socio-economic transformation of our country and their divergence views (ideologies) from social democrats to diehard capitalists put their minds together for the sake of the development of our country. They have trusted and entrusted President Kagame to be their leader for good reasons as has majority of Rwandans. His visionary leadership, tested and certified by experience of delivery that all see and believe in is what draws the masses. And so to foreigners, political competition and complimentarity from within is assigned the tag of limiting political space by the same foreigners who always judge our country out context or worse still mistake Rwanda for another country in their fake media.

    There is the co-existence of the political parties in Rwanda to avoid repetition of the negative role some played during the genocide. It is in this line that the post – genocide Rwanda’s political management is a bit unique to suit the Rwandan situation and context, like many other homegrown solutions we have had to use

    But this is the product of a hard-earned consensus among most of the country’s political parties, which to some critics is unfamiliar and questionable, because it does not fit in what they have seen elsewhere especially in the west, read about in text books or western coated political lectures that serve different environment than one we live in. But this is mere confusion by foreigners who hold Rwanda’s political as well economic development independent of its contextual framework. And they always get it wrong.

    They don’t understand Rwanda or have chosen not too, more so don’t understand President Paul Kagame’s modus operandi. It reminds of me the media hype in UK in 1997 (was a PhD student then) when he was then Vice President and Minister of Defence and announced that he will get medicine for the interahamwe (in Zaire then, now DRC) no matter how much it will cost. Media discounted his intention to cross the border on account of size of Zaire (now DRC) and that Rwanda could not take on such a giant with no means and barely three years after war of liberation of our country.

    In fact on defence analyst took mockery of this intention calling a wish and not a military intension given the odds. This same defence analyst argued that it will take our defence forces a minimum of 20 years if ever they reach Kinshasa to topple late Mobutu who had supported interehamwe and Habyarimana’s regime for far too long. When our forces took less than a year to reach Kinshasa (with impassable roads and impenetrable jungle), the same media acknowledged this as a military miracle that can’t be replicated. But this was and is President Paul Kagame that they still mistake regardless. This was to define the capacity and efficiency of our defence forces to guarantee our security within and without our country- all handiwork of President Paul Kagame.
    {{
    Security is critical to development.}}

    “Without a strong economy, there can be no strong defense. Without a strong defense, there can be no Singapore…(read Rwanda) to maintain a strong economy and a strong defense … the government must be led by the ablest, most dedicated and toughest…I think you are a born leader or you are not leader. They must have the extra drive, intellectual verve, an extra tenacity and the will to overcome” (Former Singaporean Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew who transformed his country to what it is today).

    One of the strong pillars and indeed cornerstone of our transformation and socio-economic development has been strong (defense) security for our people and their properties whether Rwandans, or foreigners/investors alike. But like other sectors of our development, our security systems evolved by paying an extremely high price. Architects of the same did our country proud and certainly President Paul Kagame has been the main architect, which is why our choice in these and other elections will have to ensure and assure our security and without which the rest of our achievements would evaporate in our eyes.

    Our security (defense systems/institutions) have evolved to meet the challenges we faced before, during and after 1994 genocide. During campaigns, sustenance of our current security is an imperative to our political choices for we know more than most the opposite.

    By Professor Nshuti Manasseh,
    Economist and Financial Expert.

  • Police refutes death claims in Top Tower demolition

    {National Police has refuted as false claims by European Ambassador to Rwanda Michael Ryan who alleged that a person was killed on Monday July 24th, during the demolition process of the Top Tower Hotel at Kimihurura near KCB.}

    European Amb, Ryan had posted on his twitter handle “EU Residence Kigali, an insanely dangerous demolition, destroyed our wall, one worker killed, house intact.”
    However, Kigali Police spokesperson SP Emmanuel Hitayeze who was interviewed by IGIHE refuted the claims saying that is was false news.

    “They lied, that is false information. I asked those who were around. I don’t know where he got that information from. There is no case that was reported, what they are speculating is false news. At least he should have named the person. An investigation would be carried out to find out his name.” Hitayeze insisted.

    An employee at the demolition site told IGIHE that they were not aware where the news came from, but he disclosed that the Ambassador came by and insisted the owner should go to court.

    He said; “He was here last Thursday and Sunday, complaining and saying that the owner should bring his lawyer.”

    Minister of Justice Johnson Busiingye replied to Amb Ryan’s tweet claims “Amb. KCC says demolition went well, that part of the fence was damaged last week, that no one
    was Killed or Hurt, Truth being adjusted to fit?”

    Demolition of the hotel located at Kimihurura on plots 900 and 901, began on Monday, July 11th to make way for development activities in line with the Kigali City Master Plan, according to City of Kigali authorities who closed the facility in June last year over standards concerns.

    In a statement released, City of Kigali wrote that according to the first phase of the Master Plan implementation in 2013-12017, Kimuhurura area is required to be redeveloped to fit the appropriate use of the plots into city level commercial district (C3 Zone).

    Until yesterday, efforts by IGIHE to reach out to the owner for a comment have not been possible.

  • Kagame continues to draw mammoth crowds, promises more in nation building

    {The RFP-Inkontanyi candidate President Paul Kagame, who is set to win with a landslide, continues to draw huge crowds to his rallies, unlike his opponents.}

    On Saturday, the incumbent campaigned in Nyagatare the largest and second most populous district in Rwanda located in Eastern Province, before continuing his campaign trail to Gatsibo and Kayonza.

    Before addressing a rally in Nyagatare, Gatunda the supporters sang “Ni wowe” meaning “It is you” and “Kagame wacu” , our Kagame.

    The RPF Chairman said that Nyagatare District is a symbol of national unity and diversity ushered in by the RPF Inkotanyi after the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    “Nyagatare is a symbol of unity and diversity. It’s probably the only district whose residents came from other parts of the country,” He said

    Before the liberation of the country in 1994, three-quarters of Nyagatare was part of the Akagera National Park and the government of national unity decided to re-demarcate the park ensure a better habitat for the animals and also find space for people.

    President Kagame called upon Nyagatare residents in particular and Rwandans, in general, to work hard to ensure bequeathing Rwanda to the future generation a country that is developed, secure and united.

    “We lived here in Gatundu, we fought hard from here, we won. After we won, we embarked on rebuilding this region and we are not done yet,” said the Chairman.

    He hailed the continued partnership with other political organizations that had joined RPF Inkotanyi supporters for the rally, just like on other rallies, saying that nothing beats a unity of purpose.

    In Nyagatare, Kagame told the supporters that the district has made strides but there is a lot more he will do for them when he remains in office in the next seven years.

    “There is a lot ahead that we want to achieve, all you need is to be patient because there is a lot in store for us. I will work to ensure that no citizens are left behind in the development journey of the country.”

    He then addressed over 100,000 residents of Gatsibo District on the third campaign stop of the day that he began by addressing two back-to-back rallies in Nyagatare.

    “We can endure any challenges we face because they are leading us to an even better future,” he said to the applause of the residents.”

    He told them that much has been achieved but there is still a long way to go, adding that August 4 was an important date for Rwandans in their continued quest for sustainable development.

    “The next seven years should leave us in a better place in terms of development and I have no doubt about that,” he said in the rally he addressed from Kabeza, Kiziguro Sector of Gatsibo.

    He thanked the other political organizations that chose to work with the RPF Inkotanyi in the interest of Rwandan people.

    In Kayonza, he thanked the residents saying that he loves to greet them in evening because they are neighbors.

    RPF-Intonkanyi supporters who lined up along the Rwamagana-Kayonza route waved and sang about the achievements made by Kagame in Rwanda for all those years he has been President.

  • Everyone must stay the course, Kagame tells Kirehe supporters

    {The Chairman of RPF Inkotanyi and flag bearer, President Paul Kagame, on Sunday told residents of Kirehe district that everyone must play a role in staying on the course of development.}

    The President was addressing over 100,000 RPF-Inkontanyi supporters during his campaign trail in the Eastern Province, during his first stop of the day in Kirehe District.

    “The country’s security, development and women empowerment for which Rwanda has won global accolades, should not be taken lightly, but rather everyone must play a role in staying the course.

    “All we strive for is to ensure inclusive development…to ensure you embark on activities that can help you and your families prosper,” Kagame said.

    He added that the way they turned up in large numbers for the rally should characterize their participation in other development activities which he pledged his leadership, if elected, will continue to champion.

    The Chairman thanked the people of Kirehe for their hospitality, specifically thanking them for being hospitable to the thousands of people who a few years ago were expelled from neighboring Tanzania.