Rwandan nationals in Uganda have described President Paul Kagame as a unifying factor in Rwanda, who still needs more time to accomplish his vision.
While handing over their petition to the Rwandan Ambassador to Uganda, Frank Mugambage at his office yesterday, the group stressed that Kagame has changed the image of Rwanda worldwide, stressing that he should be allowed to continue his work.
They requested Rwanda Parliament to endorse their request to have a constitutional amendment that would allow President Kagame to stand in the next election.
“They should allow him to come and the vote will tell whether people still want him or not,” the leader of the group, Cilidio Ubitsemunda noted
They urged Parliament to allow the amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution, which restricts a head of state to a maximum of two seven-year terms in office.
The group which totaled to about 150 people included; students, women and the business community.
Ubitsemunda said they decided to come up with one voice to reach out their message.
“We still want President Paul Kagame to stand again in 2017, because of what he has done for the country. He has changed the image of the country and it is one reason we are getting more investments,”he added.
He said, “Rwanda has achieved a lot under his leadership. We cannot risk losing him if he is still ready to serve his people. That’s why we came out with one voice”.
Mugambage (Ambassador), acknowledged receipt of the petition and thanked the Rwandan community in Uganda for expressing patriotism and exercising their constitutional right of participating in matters of their country.
“The achievement Rwanda has registered in a short time is common knowledge all over the world. We shall deliver your message as requested,” he noted.
Rwandan Parliament is expected to get back to business on June 5, from their recess.
The issue of term limits is one of the popular subjects in Rwanda and outside thus expected to be part of the main agenda on the list of debate by in Parliament.
One of the members and a human rights activist, Julie Mutesi, stressed that Rwanda is now recognized internationally in matters of gender equality, peace, infrastructure development, human rights and for its enormous role in peacekeeping missions.
“What we have achieved was mainly due to the leadership of President Paul Kagame, we believe he is still able to take Rwanda to another level,” said Jean Pierre Kamanzi the leader of Rwandan students in Ugandan universities
About three million Rwandan people have already petitioned their Parliament for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Kagame run for a third term in 2017.
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