Residents upbeat over Kagame visit

GATSIBO/NYAGATARE – Residents of Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts have described President Paul Kagame’s recent visit to the area as a memorable experience, especially for those whose problems had not been addressed by district leaders for quite some time.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
With smiles. Residents of Nyagatare district ready to receive President Kagame at Rwimiyaga play ground on Wednesday. (Photo D Ngabonziza)

GATSIBO/NYAGATARE – Residents of Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts have described President Paul Kagame’s recent visit to the area as a memorable experience, especially for those whose problems had not been addressed by district leaders for quite some time.

During his visit, the President closely interacted with residents and opinion leaders.

"We love him… To us he seems the only person who instantly solves residents’ problems that had been left unsolved by district officials for so long,” Clothilde Mukangira, one of the residents who had gathered at Rwimiyaga play ground to welcome the President told The New Times

"Even those who had to endure travelling dozens of miles for the meeting with the President, once the meeting was over, there was this relief that comes as one is assured of getting a solution to their problems,” another resident said.
Claude Ngendahimana, 60, a resident of Gitoki sector in Gatsibo district, added that "it is rare to see a President who can spend a whole day with residents, getting to hear their views and solving their problems.”

Dismas Munyaburanga, another resident of Ngarama sector said that President Kagame’s closeness to Rwandans should be taken as a huge blessing.

‘I have lived in many African countries. Be they smaller than our country or even bigger, but there are many countries where residents spend years and years without seeing their President. With our President being ever closer to us, this should be taken as a huge blessing,’ he said.

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