Thousands of Rwandans from across the country and friends of Rwanda are gathered at Amahoro Stadium for President Paul Kagame’s presidential swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, August 11. ALSO READ: 22 Presidents expected in Kigali for Kagame’s swearing-in Kagame will 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, against Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philipe Mpayimana, an independent candidate. As the citizens started to flock into the stadium in the wee hours of Sunday following an open invitation by the City of Kigali, they are being entertained by different local artistes including Senderi, King James, Ariel Wayz, and Bwiza, among others. Attendees including different officials, members of international organisations, and security personnel cheered on as they waited for the ceremony expected to start at 3pm and end at 5 pm. ALSO READ: What to expect at Sunday's Presidential swearing-in At least 22 Heads of State, four Vice-Presidents, and two Prime Ministers, one Deputy Prime Minister, two Speakers of Parliament, and five Heads of international and regional organisations are expected at the oath-taking ceremony. Under the current constitutional provisions, Chief Justice Faustin Nteziryayo is expected to administer the Presidential Oath. Once the President has been sworn in, he will give an inaugural address. Following the administration of the oath, President Kagame is expected to receive the symbolic instruments of power from the Chief Justice. The instruments of power include a copy of the constitution, the national flag and the coat of arms. ALSO READ: VOX POP: Citizens reflect on President’s inauguration At the event, President Kagame will also receive a shield and sword which are symbols of national defence, from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff General Mubarakh Muganga, as the final signal that he has started the five-year term as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He will go on to inspect a guard of honour which is expected to be preceded by the national anthem. After taking oath, it will be the first time President Kagame will serve a five-year term, following the revision of the Rwandan constitution in 2017. He will then proceed to appoint the Prime Minister, who is appointed within 15 days after swearing in. From there, the President appoints the rest of the members of the cabinet, 15 days after the appointment of the Prime Minister.
