Ruto Flies to Rwanda to Attend Kagame’s Fourth Five-term Inauguration

This probably marks a return to the president’s frequent foreign air travel that momentarily stalled as he dealt with the nagging problem called Gen Z.

A relieved President Dr William Samoei Ruto can now resume clocking hours on air travel. Photo | X

President-elect Paul Kagame will on Sunday, August 11, be sworn in for a five-year term, after registering a landslide victory during the July 14-15 poll, securing more than 99 percent of votes cast. Initially when he was first elected the president served a seven-year term which Kagame reduced to five.

The oath tomorrow is part of the ceremony that officially marks the start of a new term for the President.

The swearing-in ceremony is in line with the Rwandan Constitution – Article 102 – which stipulates that the president-elect takes oath of office within 30 days following his or her election. The much-anticipated inauguration ceremony is expected to draw 45,000 people inside the new-face Amahoro Stadium, with millions more following live TV broadcasts around the country, as well as the Diaspora community which will follow through livestream.

Doors at Amahoro Stadium are expected to be opened in the wee hours of Sunday, at around 6:00 am, to allow for the arrival of people from all parts of the country. The City of Kigali issued an open invitation as part of efforts to accommodate Rwandans and friends of Rwanda at the event.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, is expected to welcome Rwandans and friends of Rwanda including Heads of State and representatives of countries and international organizations who will be in attendance to witness the ceremony.

For president Dr William Samoei Ruto this marks a hiatus from the hectic weeks of rage and courage by anti-tax demonstrators who eventually ended up calling for his resignation.

Although he’s now one of the longest serving presidents in Africa, Paul Kagame has a great deal to show for it. Photo | Rwandese Press

By teaming up with the foxy Raila Amollo Odinga the president appointed members of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party into cabinet, thereby effectively killing accountable oversight for his government.

Meanwhile, Paul Kagame’s five decades of power have seen the tiny democracy transformed into an economic Powerhouse in Africa. Rwanda’s economy is an outstanding model irrespective of the opposition’s claims of high-handedness and electoral malpractice by Kagame.