By Press Patriot Corps
KIGALI, Aug. 11, 2024
President-elect Paul Kagame was inaugurated as President of Rwanda for his fourth term in a grand ceremony held at the fully packed Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, the capital city. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, with thousands of Rwandans and numerous heads of state and government in attendance.
The inauguration drew dignitaries from across Africa, including leaders from the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola, South Sudan, and several other nations. Also present were heads of international and regional organizations, along with senior government officials from various African countries.
Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated the newly elected Rwandan President H.E. Paul Kagame after his swearing-in at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali yesterday afternoon. Alupo was representing H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda, at the ceremony.
In his inaugural address, Kagame expressed deep gratitude to Rwandans for their continued trust and confidence. “It is an honor to serve as your president for another term,” he said, describing the day as one of renewal and gratitude.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s remarkable progress over the past three decades, Kagame emphasized that the nation’s achievements have far exceeded expectations, given its tragic past. He spoke of Rwanda’s transformation, driven by a collective “fire of hope, resilience, and justice” among its people.
Kagame also highlighted the importance of moving forward, marking the new term as the beginning of even greater efforts. He warned against external forces imposing their vision or distorting the truth, urging Rwandans to resist such pressures.
He called for confronting injustice, both within Africa and beyond, stressing that the continent does not need external lessons on how to combat it. Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to peace, particularly in the troubled eastern DRC, while acknowledging the need for tailored political and governance systems that meet the specific conditions and expectations of citizens.
Kagame underscored the importance of ensuring that people live safe, healthy, and dignified lives—a responsibility that cannot be evaded or outsourced. He pointed to ongoing efforts in security, health, infrastructure, and youth employment as evidence of Africa taking charge of its challenges and crafting its own solutions.
In the July 15 presidential election, approximately 9 million Rwandans cast their ballots. Kagame, representing the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), secured a landslide victory with 99.18 percent of the vote, according to the final results released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC). His opponents, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, received 0.50 percent and 0.32 percent of the vote, respectively.
Kagame, who has served as president since 2000, has been re-elected in the 2003, 2010, and 2017 presidential elections.
