• The Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa (The Grand Master)• The Kagera Medal • The Luwero Triangle Medal Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, distinguished Statesman, Freedom Fighter and dedicated Son of Africa. You have dedicated your life to the liberation of oppressed people everywhere. Born in October 1957 in Rwanda’s Southern Province, you were exiled as a little child in 1960 beginning a 30 year refugee life to escape persecution by bankrupt regimes existing in Rwanda at the time. In 1979, you joined Front for National Salvation (FRONASA). On February 6th, 1981 you joined the Uganda Freedom Fighters for an attack on Kabamba barracks launching a five year armed struggle to liberate the Ugandan people. In the bushes of Luwero, you were prepared to pay the ultimate price to gain freedom for this country. In 1990, you abandoned your studies in America to assume leadership of the Rwandan Patriotic Army after it had suffered a disastrous setback. Against overwhelming odds, you reorganized what had been a demoralized rebel force into an effective fighting army. You brilliantly led it into victory against a genocidal regime and their backers, stopping a genocide that has claimed over 800, 000 Rwandan citizens. In doing this, you exhibited extraordinary fortitude, commitment and leadership ability. You have reconstituted a society that had been torn apart by genocide, reconfigured a state that had been destroyed by bad politics, and reconstructed an economy that had collapsed. You were democratically elected in 2003 by the people of Rwanda and re-elected in 2010 with an overwhelming majority all because of your commitment to serve your people with dedication. In the East African Region, you have provided strong support for Regional Integration and the East African Federation. Now, therefore, as a mark of appreciation for your contribution to the liberation of Uganda and your exemplary leadership, I Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda by the virtue of the authority rested in me, I award you the; “MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE PEARL OF AFRICA” (THE GRAND MASTER) “THE KAGERA MEDAL” and “THE LUWERO TRIANGLE MEDALS”. Ends
