President Paul Kagame will on Sunday, August 11, be sworn in for a five-year term, after registering a landslide victory during the July 14-15 polls when he secured more than 99 percent of votes cast.
The oath taking at the new look 45,000-seater Amahoro Stadium is part of the ceremony that officially marks the start of a new term for the President. The stadium&039;s gates will be opened at 6:00a.m, to allow people in.
Millions of Rwandans, home and abroad, will follow the proceedings. Before the main event, here's what Rwandans had to say:
Delphine Ugiriweneza, 23, student in Kerela State, India
I will follow the presidential inauguration via social media sites like YouTube and X. I am all positive about the inauguration. I am glad I will be witnessing the inauguration of my candidate! His Excellency President Paul Kagame's inauguration is very important event for me, and so many Rwandans, because we voted overwhelmingly for him. My wish is that he continues leading our nation. He is capable and deserves it especially because of the good governance he champions, and his push for Rwandans' unity.
David Nayituriki, 25, motorist from Gasabo District
I was happy for the campaigns and voting as well. We voted our President of choice, and, on Sunday, I will be among the very first to attend the ceremony. Our President always thinks of what we need. So, I hope we shall work with him in these five years. He loves us so much and if possible, he can be our President forever.
Solange Mukanziza, 24, trader from Kicukiro District
It was my first time voting. People were so excited on that day! We are ready to attend the inauguration and I am happy for our President. As a trader, there are some additional taxes that we pay, and it is hard for us, but we believe our President will solve things for us. Otherwise, we shall work together to build our country.
Also read: What to expect at Sunday&039;s Presidential inauguration
Kevin Muhirwa, 23, vehicle mechanic from Muhanga District
Our expectations came true; we won the elections, and we are ready to work with our President in this new mandate. But again, as youths, it is hard to get opportunities. I hope more investors will come to our country and create job opportunities.
Grace Mugabo, 24, a university student in Kigali
Elections were well organised, and our education sector keeps growing over time! Specifically, as an information technology student, we have access to IT tools which eases our studies. Again, we wish there could be a way to help youth in accessing online jobs, and, hopefully, our President will help us.
Frank Mugisha, 25, manager in an investment company in Kigali
It feels so good to be a Rwandan! We did a great job during the elections! We will gather at Amahoro Stadium for the inauguration of our President. The youth are empowered, and we are proud of our President because he knows what we need!
Dieudonne Rukundo, 25, a driver in Kigali
I am so happy just like very many Rwandans are! We did a great job; we voted for our President! Our country is growing so fast, and we believe that in five years to come we shall have sustainable development, so, let’s all support our President for a better future!
Darius Shumbusho, 28, a Kigali resident
I was happy we won the elections. The President's inauguration is a big ceremony and being a part of it will be awesome! Being with our President, in the same place, makes Rwandans so proud.
In five years to come we shall achieve more development, especially in the sports industry! I am so happy for the achievements so far; in security, hosting important people and events, hosting big international competitions and so much more! Alot of great work has been done by our President, and we are with him all the way!
Cynthia Umwali, 25, university lecturer
I’m proud of our president, I supported him through voting to confirm that he is a good leader. He loves and develops the country in all sectors; economic, education, health and security, name it! And I’m very happy that he was elected for the next five-year mandate.
What I expect in this next mandate is advancement in action, developing regional markets to facilitate trading between neighbouring countries and increased investment.
David Iradukunda, 18, carpenter in Rubavu town
We are well prepared for the presidential inauguration just like we were during the election. It’s a victory and we are celebrating the leader we want for his achievements which are visible and speak for themselves. We are so excited, looking forward to seeing his pledges fulfilled. I will not work tomorrow! I will follow his inauguration ceremony on radio since Kigali is too far from here.
Jean Nsengimana, 25, electronics shopkeeper in Rubavu town
The inauguration being held tomorrow is for every Rwandan. Kagame is our President who has done a lot of things since the devastating 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. What is happening tomorrow is a result of democracy. That’s the kind of leadership we want. We read books about him, and our history. He did a lot for this nation. Having him, we feel safe. I wish I could be in Kigali for the ceremony, but Kigali is far. I will be following everything on radio and social media! I have internet, a computer, and a smart phone.
James Ndererimana, 22, taxi-moto rider in Rutsiro District
We voted for him because he scaled up the development of this country. He brought us good roads and many other good things. We are very excited for his inauguration. We expect a lot of things from him in the next five years but notably, we beseech him to lower the insurance premiums. I will take a break from work just to follow his inauguration on YouTube.
Gloriose Berabose, 47, businesswoman in Rubavu town
We voted for President Paul Kagame due to his huge contribution in rebuilding the country, along with Rwandans. There is no one else we could have voted for. We are ready to support him even tomorrow during his inauguration. But because we will not travel to Kigali, we will support and follow everything from home, on television. We recommend him for this term in office to keep supporting women in terms of access to finance so that women are able to start businesses or create their own jobs.
His inauguration tomorrow has a very big significance to all Rwandans because taking oath is a very special ceremony considering the campaign promises he made for all of us who supported him and the country at large.
Jesca Usanase, 27, Hairdresser in Rubavu town
Kagame is capable; he supports women and provides us with ‘Shisha Kibondo’ to feed our children. There was no reason not to vote for him at all. Our country is safe because he’s President and he is a good leader. We need him to help increase access to financial institutions, or funds, so that women and girls get better jobs. I will be watching the ceremony from our home TV.