Kagame warns foreigners on political interference
PAUL Kagame, the RPF flag-bearer, yesterday took his campaign near his country home in Gatsibo district, where he warned foreigners against political interference in Rwanda. It is the final leg ahead of the Monday polls.
Addressing thousands in the second rally of the day, Kagame said the RPF would never allow anyone to destabilize the peace and achievements that Rwandan people have struggle to attain over the years.
“Our nation wants peace and development and we have worked to earn it. That is what will happen and no one will undo it…not even any foreigner will manipulate it,” he asserted.
“The RPF political position is that we reject anyone who interferes with our way of life. Rwanda today is a new nation from the old, so no one can play with our daily life,” he added.
“We have our own problems to solve but other people keep engaging us in issues we should not even be talking about in the first place. It is sheer contempt and we denounce it,” the seemingly infuriated candidate said.
Kagame told cheering voters the international community had defined democracy as the accepted standard by which politicians seek peoples’ mandate for governance and that his government had accepted and embraced it.
“This is another urugamba (struggle)” he told chanting residents who were critical in the initial phases of the RPF liberation struggle, which many of them joined voluntarily to stop the genocide government.
“But some people want it their own way. We opt for real democracy as we understand it and which suits us. It’s about good governance, security of all and development…that is real democracy,” said the RPF candidate.
He outlined the main focus of his next term of office, if re-elected, as improving agriculture with modern farming techniques, education, good living standards, healthcare programs and protection of the environment, among others.
“That is the real democracy we are looking for. But when you come here in such big numbers and support leaders you want, they say ‘no, that’s no democracy.’ Instead, they say genocidaires hiding in Europe are the real representatives of democracy,” he complained.
Kagame, who is the incumbent and is widely expected to win also said those who declare war on Rwanda will be crashed with resolve. Col. Karegeya, a renegade former Rwanda chief spy, has openly said he will support any force to oust Kagame’s government.
“Those criminals out there should remember the history of RPF…when we hit, we hit real hard. Whatever they say, they will come to regret it,”he warned.
The RPF flag bearer also denied his government was responsible for what has befallen critical self-exiled opposition figures. He said it is not Rwanda’s policy to kill citizens, wherever they may be and that his government maintains a policy of non-interference in other countries.
“Whenever people, especially those who have run away from the law here, get into problems, they blame it on Rwanda. We don’t condone crime in other countries,” Kagame explained.
He reiterated his earlier promise to deliver electricity to all households and to improve roads and other infrastructure in general while further providing security for all.
Kagame continues his campaign finale today with three rallies at Rwamagana, Kayonza and Kiramuruzi to conclude his northern province tour.
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Nyamasheke rally pulls biggest crowd so far
An estimate 135,000 people turned up to see Paul Kagame address a rally in the south-western district of Nyamasheke. The number surpasses previous records set at Musanze and Rubavu, many had arrived early morning to attend a rally that was to start in the afternoon. Nyamasheke is one of the most beautiful but isolated districts in Rwanda, it lies on the shores of Lake Kivu roughly an hour north of Cyangugu. It was one of the poorest and worst performing districts in Rwanda but recently has been making massive strides and last year it emerged as the best-performing under the imihigo or performance assessment system.
RPF candidate Kagame took to the podium to address the massive crowd and was greeted by massive applause.
“I do not need to preach to the converted, by emerging as the best performing district under the imihigo assessment, Nyamasheke – you have already proved that that you embrace the RPF and its programmes very long ago. You are an admirable lot and you make us proud.” Said Kagame
The crowd cheered as he thanked them for their support, he promised them that he would tarmac their road and bring electricity to their area. He said that they needed to be a better plan for how to productively use the area surrounding Lake Kivu. He said he was proud of how Nyamasheke had increased its agricultural output and was supplying food to other parts of the country. In the recent past Nyamasheke was not food secure and had to rely on nearby areas to supply them with food.
A smiling Kagame said that Nyamasheke had become a breadbasket because of its hardworking people who are determined to have a better future, and a local leadership that is close to its people.
“This is what the RPF stands for, all the good programmes that you have initiated here, the good policies in agriculture, health, education and decentralisation. This is what we need to consolidate in the next seven years.” Kagame said.
The crowd was also ecstatic at the announcement that basic education was extended for 9 years to 12 years. Rural areas like Nyamasheke already have 90% of children in school, the area has also seen a surge in young girls attending school, which has also been a major target of the RPF. The Campaign takes a break on Friday before resuming on Saturday.
125,000 turn up in Rubavu for RPF candidate
THE western region was fired up on Friday with thousands of RPF supporters who gathered in two locations in Rubavu and Nyabihu districts to support their candidate, Paul kagame.
Political tempo gained momentum after a bevy of local artists entertained the crowds in both locations, assisted by excited youths and party die-hards.
President Paul Kagame, the RPF flag bearer made his first stop at Rubavu earlier in the day, where he urged his supporters to work hard, accumulate wealth and live a prosperous life that the RPF has always wanted for every Rwandan.
Campaign manager, Fidele Ndayisaba kicked off the event by reminding residents that it was Paul Kagame who restored peace and security in the area and re-established good relations with Rwanda’s Eastern neighbor, DR Congo.
“He has always been there for your developmental needs,” Ndayisaba said amidst wild ululations. Rubavu has recorded tremendous socio-economic progress partly due to booming trade with DR. Congo.
The event started off with entertainment by leading and budding local artists, which stirred up the crowd into chants of “umkandida wacu, niwowe gusa! ntawundi…(only you, our candidate, no one else)”
“We are here to discuss with you how to continue with our development agenda for our country. In order to achieve that, you need to make the right choice…,” Kagame said.
“To choose RPF and its candidate is to choose the path of prosperity,” he said.
Kagame said if re-elected, the RPF would consolidate its developmental achievements by building on the peace and stability that the country enjoys today, ensuring food security, modernizing agricultural practices and promoting education for all.
“The RPF gets its strength from you, best times are ahead,” he explained.
In Nyabihu, Kagame reminded residents how the region was a decade ago and what it is today and promised it would be a different story over the next seven years.
“Those who were poor then, are now empowered. Those with motorcycles today will drive cars… all these achievements have been made possible by the good policies of the RPF and its candidate now,” he said.
“The man is still the same, RPF is still the same (party). That’s clear….what remains now is to do what we have to do on voting day,” he implored,” to which crowd responded, “niwowe gusa!”
“Nothing can fail us together. Rwandans deserve dignity. We’ll build peace, democracy and dignity for everyone. Let’s walk the talk,” the RPF candidate said.
Thousands turn up for RPF’s inaugural campaign
Amahoro National Stadium was a scene of pomp and colourful mood as thousands of excited supporters turned up for the inaugural RPF party campaigns that kicked off on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 50,000 RPF members packed the stadium as President Paul Kagame, RPF’s flag bearer officially launched his campaign and unveiled the Party’s manifesto.
Kagame promised Rwandans to consolidate the achievements gained over the past 16 years and ensure that Rwanda’s socio-economic development vision is attained in the course of the coming years.
He outlined the achievements of RPF over the past 16 years in all sectors and emphasized that RPF had proven to Rwandans that it delivers on its promises.
“When a team is winning, you don’t change that team,” Kagame told thousands of supporters.
With the thrill of music and the enchantment of supporters, Kagame danced and shook hands with the crowd as he made rounds within the stadium.
The chanting Party supporters, donning Party colours and carrying posters of the candidate promised to be campaign agents for the party.
The RPF candidate said that his key priorities include creating opportunities for all Rwandans and ensuring that Rwanda keeps on the course of achieving its development vision.
He promised to keep up the momentum of building a progressive nation that is independent in all aspects and valued with dignity on the international scene.If elected, Kagame promised to deliver free health care for all, modernize agricultural sector, provide quality education, continue investing in infrastructure and ICTs and ensure that the war against graft is maintained.
The candidate said that while our country had made significant strides in development, the journey ahead remains long. He insisted on working as team to overcome any challenges that might lie ahead.
He lit a campaign torch as a symbol of renewed hope for the future and handed it to campaign manager, Ndayisaba, who in turn passed it on to 30 campaign managers at district level.
The event was energized by performances by various local artists and later capped by a captivating performance by Congolese maestro, Kofi Olomide and his queen dancers.
The Party candidate will campaign today in the Northern Province in the districts of Rulindo and Gakenke.
Use Broadband Technology to Achieve MDG's - Kagame
President Paul Kagame, has called on the world to recognise the important link between broadband technology and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's).Kagame, made the remarks, yesterday, at the first meeting of the recently launched Broadband Commission for Digital Development held at the International Telecommunication Union headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland which he co-chaired with Honorary Lifetime Chairman of Grupo Carso, Mr. Carlos Slim.
He challenged the newly formed commission to address the pressing issue of coming up with effective recommendations on how to capitalize on progress already made, make it replicable and far reaching so that citizens all over the world are better connected. "I think we will all agree that ICTs and Broadband in particular, cannot be an end in themselves - we want fast and efficient communication as solutions to fast track socio-economic transformation in our societies," Kagame said. "This is why the link between Broadband and delivering on millennium development goals is so important."
Dr. Hamadoun Toure, who serves as vice- chair of the commission urged all governments to view broadband as part of their 'basic national infrastructure''. "In the 21st century, affordable, ubiquitous broadband networks will be as critical to social and economic prosperity as networks like transport, water and power," he said. "Not only does broadband deliver benefits across every sector of society, but it also helps promote social and economic development, and will be key in helping us get the Millennium Development Goals back on track," Toure said.
The commission which is comprised of some 30 commissioners representative of varying sectors including technology, business and social sectors adopted 10 written recommendations to fast track the deployment of broadband infrastructure globally. In his closing remarks to the meeting, President Kagame thanked the commissioners for their contribution in making the recommendations. "The combined knowledge, experiences and commitment of members in this room demonstrates that we have what it takes to make the goal of universal broadband access, and the benefits this offers to the world's people, attainable," Kagame said. "There is no doubt, that using Broadband to unleash peoples' full potential is an economic imperative for attaining an inclusive and prosperous global economic society."
The recommendations adopted during the meeting will be compiled into a final report that will be presented to the UN Secretary General, September 19, ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York.
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