The National Electoral Commission on Wednesday released the final results of the August 3 and 4 Presidential elections in which over 98 per cent of the registered voters participated.

Incumbent President Paul Kagame was reelected with an overwhelming majority, garnering 6,675,472 votes, equivalent to 98.7 per cent of votes cast.

His challengers were Philippe Mpayimana an independent candidate, who got 49,031 votes (0.73 per cent), and Frank Habineza, the flagbearer for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, who got 31,633 votes, equivalent to 0.48 per cent.

Kagame ran his campaign on a manifesto to strengthen the economy, social welfare, and good governance as well as justice in the next seven year.

The New Times’ Frederic Byumvuhore took to the streets and spoke to a cross-section of Rwandans to ask him about what they think should be the priority sectors for the President and his next government over the next seven years.

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Letitia Mugwaneza, student Education sector has developed over the years and gives every child access to basic education. The next seven-year term is an opportunity for the government to ensure that school dropout is eliminated.

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Raphael Munyana, an IT expert and Assistant lecturer at the University of Gitwe

Social welfare should take stage. For the seven years ahead, the priority should be measures to improve the welfare of all Rwandans for this is the basis for sustainable development. Another area that needs special attention is peace building, empowering people to be more self-reliant, as well as increasing opportunity for the youth.

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Aimable Ngendahayo, the chairman of Happy Generation Rwanda, a youth affairs association

The President should focus on job creation and infrastructure development. Rwanda has achieved a lot in these areas but, during these seven years, we need a new momentum to take us to the next level. The youth should be facilitated further by creating more jobs, reduce the imports and increase exports, and increase infrastructure such as roads, schools, water, electricity and hospitals.

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Deus Musafiri, employee at SORAS Insurance Company

The achievements over the past few years should be leveraged so that we achieve more going forward. Water distribution should be a priority to avoid shortage that has been reported in different parts of the country.

Another issue that needs attention is job creation.

The country has taken measure to tackle the issue but higher learning institutions each year graduate thousands of students. Funds to support them should be increased to supplement BDF (Business Development Fund).

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Eldephonse Twagirayezu, a security guard and farmer from Gisagara District

During this presidential term, more efforts should be invested in promoting agriculture related programmes. The majority of Rwandans depend on farming. When agriculture develops, trade develops as well as general welfare of the people for they get to earn.

Currently, there is shortage of some produce like sorghum because farmers are limited to some particular crops. We need diversity from which I believe we can earn more profit.

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Angelique Umuhoza, student

"During the next mandate, government should keep on empowering women to improve their contribution to the economy. Also, there is need to scale up vocational and technical education so that it becomes easier for every child to attend school.

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David Asiimwe, Human Resources manager at Rwanda Meteorology Agency

"Employment should take centre stage. What I think should be prioritised is to put in place measures on how to fight unemployment, especially among the youth, mainly fresh graduates. This is achievable because this country under President Kagame has triumphed over problems that were much more difficult than this. Also, the private sector should rise to the occasion and beat at the forefront of fighting unemployment.

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Evariste Nyamwasa, motorcyclist

More efforts are needed to streamline health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Sante). The government should enhance service delivery in the health sector for health insurance subscribers.

Family members face difficulties; for example, when a member who does not live home, the family cannot pay for their insurance until they have found this person so that they collectively pay the premiums. Young adults should not necessarily be attached to their families, especially when they no longer live home.

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Elienai Rubibi Misugi, a Musician

I think the youth still need to be empowered more as the leaders of tomorrow. Also, more citizen outreach programmes by national institutions should be encouraged because, through such, problems are expeditiously solved. In addition, more cities should be developed, and consolidate our security because no tourist can visit an insecure place.

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Christine Kagoyire, employee at Rwanda Biomedical Centre

We recognise our President’s efforts to develop the country. It is a blessing that we are going to have him for another seven years. During the new term, government should provide enough equipment to hospitals.

Our students are given scholarships to study medicine abroad but when they return, they do not find enough equipment in health facilities where they are deployed. Once more materials are provided, I believe our medics will be able to treat more cases.

Secondly, our judiciary has made significant strides. However, tough measures are still needed to curb vices like corruption and injustice by people in authority because there are still reports of such in some public institutions.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw