Residents donate cows on Inaugural day

RWAMAGANA/GICUMBI - President Kagame’s inauguration was celebrated with merry making which lasted till morning of the next day. Save for an isolated event in Munyiginya, Rwamagana district which turned soar, across the entire country residents ushered in the new era with pomp. The munyiginya party turned violent, when, a resident attacked and injured one of the fellow revellers. Typical of rural drinking spree, authorities said that Egide Ndikubwimana, a resident of Munyiginya sector, used a machete to hack his neighbour, injuring him seriously. Ndikubwimana, was arrested and detained at Rwamagana Police Station. Residents contend that he must have acted under the influence of alcohol. “Whether out of excitement or otherwise, acts of violence cannot be tolerated. He will soon be brought to justice,” Police said, adding that the injured, whose names were not readily available by press time, was admitted at Rwamagana Hospital.Earlier, it was all excitement as residents braved the early morning cold and drizzle to watch the live broadcast of President Paul Kagame’s swearing in ceremony. People gathered at different points in their respective villages, as early as 8.00 am. Those who gathered to view the ceremony applauded in praise as the ceremony unfolded. Immediately after President Kagame’s inaugural speech, residents descended to merry making which went on up to late hours of the night in most parts of the Eastern Province. As part of the celebrations a number of widows had reasons to celebrate even more after being given cows. Jean Marie Vieny Kalisa, a cell leader said that the exchange of cows was not coincidental, but deliberate for the day.“These people are giving out cows to each other to mark the inaugural day in fashion…for instance the calves the donors are handing out to beneficiaries is being done in respect and thanks giving to the president’s intervention of uplifting the lives of the rural poor. So, it is very symbolic,” he said. Josefa Mukanyakare, one of the Genocide widows, who was given a cow, said that she has since lost count of the times she has benefited from president’s schemes for the poor.In Byumba Sector, Gicumbi district, the celebratory mood was the same in all villages visited by our reporter. “All the six villages comprising Gacurabwenge Cell had television sets installed at strategic places to enable residents follow President Kagame’s swearing in ceremony,” said the Cell executive secretary, Elie Nzabarinda.Ruyaga village head, Jean Damascene Nsengimana, said residents contributed additional funds to the Rwf50, 000 allocated to his village for the celebrations. “We have managed to avail soda, beer and local brew ‘Ikigaje’ to our entire village residents,” said Nsengimana. Gacurabwenge village head, Anasthase Nkubana hailed President Kagame for his tireless efforts to foster unity and reconciliation among Rwandans while working to revive the economy. Ends