KAYONZA - Rwanda will continue pursuing its development goals regardless of what critics say and will not be derailed by a few disgruntled politicians, criminals or foreigners who want to assume the right to shape the future of the country, RPF candidate, Paul Kagame said, yesterday.

The candidate, made the remarks while addressing over 90, 000 supporters who turned out for the RPF rally in Nyamirama Sector, Kayonza District.

In his 30 minute-speech, punctuated by deafening applause, Kagame said that Rwandans are determined, like never before, to continue consolidating the progress they have registered – and that it is a decision that cannot be made by foreigners but Rwandans themselves.

He called on Rwandans to ignore the detractors and instead continue pursuing the positive initiatives that are leading to the country’s development.

Referring to the personal testimonies of Kayonza residents about how their lives have transformed in the last 16 years, Kagame, reminded the crowd that the RPF advocates for politics that are pro development.

He added that if there is anything critics want to know about Rwanda, they should come and ask the "New Rwandans living in the "New Rwanda”, most of whom have been turning out in large numbers at the RPF rallies.

The candidate criticised the country’s detractors for refusing to understand Rwanda’s dynamics and instead opting to espouse a narrative based on the few criminals who have fled the country.

He added that those who doubt the choice of the Rwandan people should ask the citizens what programmes such as Mutuelle de Sante (universal health insurance), universal education, Gacaca courts among others, mean to them.

Kagame, pointed out that the progress in justice, good governance, and socio-economic development, registered by Rwandans amounts to democracy.

The candidate went on to say that no one will determine what kind of democracy Rwandans should have, because democracy is not given in form of aid or shipped in cartons from one country to another.

Kagame noted that criticising the country’s democratic principles because of  RPF’s massive support, is a sign of contempt, adding that on August 9, Rwandans will exercise their democratic right.

He pointed out that critics contradict themselves when on one hand the say that democracy is what the majority want, and when its about RPF’s massive support, it ceases to be democracy.

The candidate urged the Rwandan people to shape their own future, with dignity and pride, saying that by voting RPF, they would be driving the country forward and blocking anyone who wants to divide Rwandans along ethnic lines.

Josephine Mukanoheri, a farmer, gave her life-changing story about how she elevated herself from a helpless widow to a modern farmer, who earns Rwf300,000 each month, thanks to RPF’s agricultural policies.

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