Rwandans, not foreigners will decide our destiny - Kagame
The future of our country can only be determined by us Rwandans and not foreigners, RPF candidate, President Paul Kagame told his supporters in Ngoma and Kirehe Districts of Eastern Province.
Speaking to thousands of supporters estimated at 130,000 in Kirehe district and 80,000 in Ngoma district, Kagame said foreigners would not simply impose on Rwandans a democratic template that does not suit us.
“ We need peace, we need to develop our economy, education, tourism, empower women and chose our own leaders…that’s democracy,” he said.
“Democracy is not about issuing orders from western capitals . Its only Rwandans that can shape their democratic path they wish to take and we have proved to the world that our democracy works,” said President Kagame.
“Rwanda is not for Hutus, Tustis or Batwa…Rwanda is for Rwandans in general…therefore our democracy will be based on that principle.”
Reacting to the usual rhetoric from western circles about ‘Hutu majority’ and ‘Tutsi minority’ and how this should define the democracy of Rwanda, Kagame said “Even in Europe, their democracy is not based on race or ethnic groups such as whites, coloured, brown people or anything, it’s about all people who have come to live together.
“If Rwandans have chosen with a majority, other people need to respect that. Whoever doesn’t respect that is to simply be disrespectful.”
“What I read out of this, is sheer contempt..we have really seen this contempt over the last 100 years and where it has led us.”
“I want to repeat that we (Rwandans) owe nobody nothing! Rwanda is a country of self-belief. Our politics are about what benefits us as a country. Those who want to destabilize our nation will regret it.”
“This is a new Rwanda. We have won many battles and will win many more, including the war on ethnic division and poverty …then we’ll develop this country to a level that befits us all.”
Kagame promised his supporters in these two rallies to work tirelessly in consolidating what has been achieved over the past seven years and double the achievements by many folds.
“I will never disappoint you---I will work night and day to ensure that together we make our country a prosperous nation,” Kagame said
Kagame campaigns in Gisagara
He reiterated that basic education would be extended from 9 years to 12 years and this got a loud cheer. He had announced the policy the previous day in Ruhango but the locals in Gisagara were especially happy to hear it. Basic education had been extended from 7 years to 9 years of primary, but now 3 years of secondary is now mandatory and mostly free in government owned schools. The education system was also revamped with English becoming the language of instruction taking over from French and Kinyarwanda in a bid to make Rwanda more competitive regionally.
Kagame also railed against foreign critics who he claimed did not understand Rwanda and didn’t want Rwandans to decide for themselves. He said that their misconceptions would be disproved by Rwandans, he said he worked for the aspirations of Rwandans and not those of foreigners. He has always said that the voice of the ordinary Rwandan is not heard in the chaotic chorus of external critics.
He promised that the swamps of Gisagara would be utilised and rice grown using modern farming methods. He promised to increase household incomes of local people by better connecting them to the markets and moving them towards high-yield crops like rice.
He drove home his message with a rousing metaphor that brought out laughter among the crowd.
“Good times are ahead, but to get there, you need to keep the best driver in control. Other drivers will mislead you, those without clear policies are like bad or drunk drivers.”
He ended by asking the voters not to change a winning team, and that RPF is on course to develop the country with the help of the people. He thanked the people for voting for him last time and said he looked forward to the future.
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“There is a remarkable step that has been taken in attaining the Millennium Development Goals especially the UPE goal and the promotion of gender equality in schools,” he stressed. Protais Mitali, the chairman of Liberal Party, requested the Education Ministry to put more emphasis on civic education in private and public schools.
"Our children have low knowledge regarding the social studies of the country,” said Mitali, who is also the Minister of Youth. He further requested for a strengthened inculcation of discipline among school children and their teachers, which he said will promote quality education in schools. Francois Ngarambe, the Secretary General of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), said that education for all should be relevant and useful to the beneficiaries. “Science education should be the number one priority in Education-for-all because it is vital towards enhancing ICT in Rwanda,” he noted. On her part, Agnes Mukabaranga, the president of the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC) requested the ministry to introduce nursery schools in all sectors in the country in order to groom infants before they join primary schools.
Source: New Times
MP urges religious groups to participate in elections
Lawmaker, Francis Kaboneka, has urged members of all religious groups to massively participate in the forthcoming presidential elections slated for August 9. He was addressing over 700 faithful in Nyarugenge District, during a one-day seminar organised by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
“I encourage you to turn up in large numbers in the forthcoming presidential elections and also sensitize and mobilize others to do the same,” Kaboneka said. He called on them to work hand-in-hand with the commission in order to ensure a free and fair election. The in-charge of election in Nyarugenge District, Jean Bosco Rutikanga, requested participants to cross-check with the voters register to avoid last minute disappointments.
Source: New Times.
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