Paul Kagame, the presidential candidate of the RPF-led collation, on June 28, told Rusizi residents that the country’s young people have a double responsibility of building the country – basing on the foundation of what has been achieved so far – as well as protecting it. ALSO READ: Kagame to Nyamagabe residents: Choose security, unity, development At Rusizi Stadium, thousands of residents in Rusizi District and neighbouring areas of Nyamasheke District cheerfully danced to different electoral campaign songs. Kagame was welcomed by Abasaamyi dance troop from Nkombo island. In the presidential and parliamentary elections set for July 14-15, Kagame is competing with former lawmaker Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate. ALSO READ: Rwandan youth give hope, Kagame tells voters in Huye In his address, the incumbent President said that Rwanda has come from far following the devastating 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, but the RPF brought unity among all Rwandans and all political parties. But there is still so much more to be achieved ahead, he acknowledged, noting that the country is relying on the youth’s efforts in the journey of development. Young people, our children, you should reflect back and know where Rwanda came from, and where it is now. You have a double responsibility to continue building on what has been achieved, faster, but also protecting the country against whatever that seeks to destroy it. Additionally, he requested the youth to build unity, development and democracy that allows Rwandans to choose who they want and what they want, noting that it is upon the RPF, its leader, and the people to do it. Come election day, Kagame said that he knows the people will make the right choice and show their support as they have done during previous elections. ALSO READ: Kagame wishes challengers well, says work results shall tell difference Jean Paul Ndamwemera, a businessman in Rusizi District, shared a testimony of how he was able to study and turn a family business of cultivating coffee into a more lucrative venture that scaled up to have greater socio-economic impact in the area. Thanks to the RPF’s visionary leadership and security that has empowered the people, Ndamwemera and some partners built a school that now educates 250 students in the district. Ndamwemera now exports coffee to France, Italy, and UK. His coffee won second place in an international competition, he said. Under the RPF manifesto for the five-year presidential term, Rusizi District is among the three districts that will receive three ports on Lake Kivu in addition to Karongi and Rutsiro districts. Once completed, Rusizi Port is expected to accommodate 2.3 million passengers and handle 1.3 million tons of cargo, annually. Other area development targets include construction and rehabilitation of 1, 091-kilometer roads and 1,626-kilometer feeder roads across the country, advance technology adoption, especially enhancing the use of Artificial Intelligence. The ruling party also aims to continue positioning Rwanda as an investment destination and financial hub, increase tourism revenue to $1.1 billion in 2029 from $620 million in 2024, spur mineral revenue growth to $1.8 billion in 2029 from $1.1 billion in 2023, as well as improve green financing.
