Rwandans show love for the president with 99% victory in election but uncertainty looms on future without him COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Thirty years since he led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) to capture power in Kigali after ending the genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame was …
Read More »Behind Rwanda’s elections
The software that has gone into producing post genocide Rwanda and how it has shaped voting patterns THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | President Paul Kagame of Rwanda won re-election with 99.18% of the vote. Over 98% of the registered voters turned out to cast their ballot. I was in Rwanda …
Read More »The story of Rwanda at 30
How this small and poor country in Africa that should be irrelevant has become a beacon of hope THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Last Sunday, Rwanda commemorated 30 years since the genocide against the Tutsi. I was in Kigali to attend the colorful commemoration that was attended by a large …
Read More »Traders accuse URA officers of shielding smugglers
Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The business community is expressing dissatisfaction with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other border security officers, alleging their involvement in shielding smugglers along the Uganda-Rwanda border, particularly at Katuna in Kabale district. Claiming continuous smuggling due to connivance with URA and security officers, the business …
Read More »Rwanda assures Burundians not to worry after border closure
KIGALI, RWANDA | Xinhua | Rwandan authorities have assured Burundians living in the country that it will not adopt retaliatory measures after Burundi closed its border with Rwanda. “Burundians in Rwanda, continue to go about your daily activities. Do not worry in any way. Nothing will happen to you following …
Read More »EAC Secretary General: Border tensions disrupting EAC integration
Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | The East African Community secretariat has appealed to the partner states to avoid actions that affect the people of the region and suffocate development. This comes after Burundi closed its border with Rwanda on Thursday, leaving dozens of vehicles stranded. Last month, Burundi President Evariste …
Read More »Kagame’s new role in Africa
Why ‘coup leaders’ are trooping to Kigali Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | A visit by Gabon’s transitional leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, to Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on Oct. 16 could not go unnoticed. Nguema who came to power in a coup three months ago was beaming and looking like …
Read More »Lessons for Israel from Rwanda
Why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should call President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for some advice THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | As Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza to “destroy” Hamas, it is important to remind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his confederates that this is an exercise in …
Read More »Rwanda’s biggest brand problem
How and why Kagame’s enemies have been successful at branding him a tyrant THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | I asked a young friend to visit Rwanda and assess the state of the country. He returned last week completely mesmerised at how a poor country can have such excellent infrastructure, a …
Read More »Elections to test Muhoozi relationship with Kagame
How Rwanda’s support for Muhoozi could influence 2026 campaign Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Rwanda goes to the polls in 2024 with President Paul Kagame widely expected to stand in his fourth election. In that election, all eyes will be on a maverick Ugandan army officer, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and …
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