Kagame’s inauguration a renewed call of excellent leadership

Author: Lindah Uwase

• 2024-08-11 05:30:00

President Paul Kagame swearing-in as President of the Republic of Rwanda on August 18, 2017.

Thirty years ago, Rwanda rose from the ashes. Rwandans worked incredibly hard to rebuild the nation while leaving no one behind under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.

On July 15, when Rwandans voted for him, the trust they had in him was mainly based on the fact that he proved to be a visionary leader again and again.

In 1994, he stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi. After nine years, he defeated the insurgency in the northwest part of the country against the génocidaires - currently grouped under FDLR - and worked on the nation's unity and reconciliation without leaving justice behind. In 2003, people realized that Kagame could transform Rwanda from a past characterized by division. They voted for him for a seven-year term.

A lot has been achieved, and the fruits of President Kagame’s leadership cannot be denied.

One year after being elected, Kagame, deployed troops to Darfur, in western Sudan, to help restore peace. The seven years of Kagame’s term from 2003 to 2010 put Rwanda on the global map, shifting from a failed country to a country of progress.

The Rwandan President is a visionary leader who transformed Rwanda from a country devastated by genocide to one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. Kagame is one of the greatest leaders of our time. His role in fostering national reconciliation, economic growth, and improving healthcare in Rwanda during his term from 2003 to 2010, is remarkable.

In 2010, it was clear to everyone that Kagame was the driving force behind the country's development, especially to outsiders. Rwandans already knew his capabilities. His campaign in 2010 was a renewal of the contract he signed with Rwandans based on his leadership.

By voting for Kagame in 2010, Rwandans moved to the next stage of development and prosperity because what had been achieved was an indication of progress, with even better prospects awaiting them in the years to come. The dreams came true.

The 2010-2017 term was characterized by countless achievements, but a special one was in MICE, where Rwanda was ranked second in hosting meetings due to the constructed facilities. Its capital, Kigali, is the second most popular destination in Africa for hosting international conferences and events, according to the ICCA. Voting for Kagame in 2017 was a consolidation of the realized achievements. It was clear that Rwandans were on the right path of development in all sectors.

Globally, Rwanda under Kagame’s leadership has made several achievements, especially in areas of governance, gender equality, the environment, peacekeeping, and economic development.

Rwanda consistently ranks among the top countries for gender equality. It has the highest percentage of women in parliament, with women holding over 60 per cent of the seats.

Rwanda has shown impressive economic recovery with an average annual GDP growth rate of around 7-8 per cent over the past decade. The World Bank has ranked Rwanda among the top African countries for its business-friendly environment in its annual Doing Business Report.

In the conservation sector, Rwanda leads by example. Every citizen of the world is welcome to Rwanda, but they must remember that plastic bags are prohibited.

The increase in the number of mountain gorillas is also an effort of good conservation practices.

Currently, Rwanda is the third largest contributor of peacekeepers to United Nations missions around the world and has also signed military bilateral cooperation agreements with other countries. The country has helped stabilize northern Mozambique and the Central African Republic.

Rwanda's healthcare system has made significant strides, particularly in reducing child mortality, combating HIV/AIDS, and improving maternal health. The country’s community-based health insurance system, known as Mutuelle de Santé, is a model for other developing nations.

Rwanda is emerging as a technology hub in Africa with several smart technology initiatives in all sectors. As President Kagame insists, "Let’s ensure that those who struggled and perished to build this new Rwanda, and to liberate Africa, did not sacrifice in vain," his leadership sets an example in protecting this pact, and his inauguration as president, cements a renewal in impeccable leadership for his next term.