RPF victory, a win for all Rwandans

Author: Josephine Kalembe

• 2024-07-18 05:30:00

On the final day of his presidential campaign rally, over 500,000 supporters welcomed President Paul Kagame, the RPF candidate, at the Gahanga site in Kicukiro District of Kigali City.

Paul Kagame, the president elect of Rwanda and chairman of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) party, has won a landslide victory in the country’s election, securing a fourth term in office for the next five years.

Rwandans headed to polls from July 14 to 16, for presidential and parliamentary elections. Kagame emerged winner garnering over 99 per cent of the votes.

Despite Western critics calling the results undemocratic, for Rwandans only celebrations were heard across the country. The RPF-led government has only brought positive change, and now, Rwandans will see a continuation of the same development in all aspects of their lives, because of good leadership.

During the RPF presidential and parliamentary campaigns, campaign venues had mammoth crowds. Hundreds of thousands of supporters who voted for the party, are now in celebration mode.

Kagame’s victory is a win for all Rwandans. He symbolizes hope, peace, and development to all.

After his re-election in 2017, Kagame said he would work to sustain economic growth. “This is another seven years to take care of issues that affect Rwandans and ensure that we become real Rwandans who are economically developing,” he said in a speech that was broadcasted live on television.

Kagame kept his word, and dutifully delivered on his promises.

After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandans had no hope. They were not sure if they would live in a secure and peaceful country. But, in spite of all the challenges, Kagame steadfastly transformed the country. His win today signifies that Rwandans will continue to dream big.

The RPF-led government constantly proved to Rwandans that unity and development are what it will continue to deliver. The RPF defeated a regime that thrived on divisive politics, stopping the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and transformed the country into one of the fastest growing economies on the continent.

Rwanda's economy has remained resilient and adaptable despite challenging external and domestic factors, achieving a 7.6 per cent growth rate in 2023. GDP growth is expected to increase in 2024–26, with a projected average growth of 7.2 per cent.

Life expectancy moved from 49 years in 2000 to 70 years in 2024. The infant mortality rate in 2024 is 21.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is far below the average infant mortality rate for the entire Africa, which stands at 41.586 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Through its policies and programmes, the RPF delivered tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. From economic development initiatives to social welfare programmes, the RPF endeavored to uplift the nation and empower its people. In the last decade, more than one million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty.

Rwandans view the RPF as a beacon of hope and progress, a force for positive change in a region plagued by instability and conflict, and for the next five years, Rwandans are sure that this momentum will be maintained.