VILLAGE URUGWIRO - The Cabinet yesterday was overjoyed when it welcomed the recent award that was given to President Paul Kagame in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first time the Cabinet had met since the president received the Innovation for Peace Award, which was given during the 2008 World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (WSIE), held in Dubai earlier this month. "This is the first time the award has gone to a Head of State. It is normally awarded to researchers and the business community, but the President’s efforts to get Rwandans back on their feet, after the horrendous killings which took place in Rwanda were recognised,” Vincent Karega, the State Minister for Industry and Investment Promotion said yesterday.

Karega was among the delegation that received the award on behalf of the President. The delegation was led by Senate President Dr Vincent Biruta.

"This is a motivation for us all and it will make us work even harder for a better Rwanda,” Karega stated. He said that the award was given to the President based on the analysis of the governance formular adopted by the country.

"Among the fields highlighted were the power-sharing that Rwanda chose in order to facilitate the running of the country, as well as the efforts to promote national unity and reconciliation,” Karega said. He pointed out that the formular helped to prevent acts like revenge among Rwandans.

"Other mechanisms they took into account included the Gacaca traditional justice system which simultaneously promotes justice while fostering reconciliation,” he added.

The award which is presented every two years, also saw Dubai World, an investment firm based in the UAE, among the other winners, said Karega.

Dubai World last year announced it would invest $230 million in the Rwandan tourism industry. It was recognized by WSIE for its efforts in creating Dubai City out of a desert.

Kagame was also recognized by the summit- which brings together politicians, researchers and the business community, for his efforts to transform the economy of Rwanda, just 14 years after the Genocide.

"Specially highlighted is the Rwanda investment code which is flexible and which has attracted the international business community to the country,” Karega said.

The award is the latest in a series of international accolades President Kagame has won in the past for particularly lifting Rwanda out of the ashes of the 1994 Genocide, into a nation that is currently regarded as an inspiration to many countries.

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