Why the way Rwandans tend to public spaces with dedication and care shows they see their country as something precious and reflective of their identity THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | When you visit Rwanda, the very first impression you get (as you drive from the airport to …
Read More »Uganda Rwanda relations
The forgotten feud awakens? Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | Ten years after President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame starred in high profile reconciliation, there seems no path to making peace again after two years of border closure. Instead, new tensions could flare up. In July, Rwanda …
Read More »South Africa’s slippery slope
Why the arrest and detention of Jacob Zuma is dangerous for the unity and stability of the “rainbow nation” THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The arrest and detention of former South African president, Jacob Zuma, for contempt of court is a sad event. No wonder, many …
Read More »Wrong’s Rwanda hatchet job part 3
Why she chose to base book on interviews with Kagame’s enemies but not give his side THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | The fundamental error of Michela Wrong’s book was to listen to one side in the Rwandan story. Consequently, she ended up sanctifying Patrick Karegyeya and …
Read More »A delicate truce in Uganda-Rwanda relations
What both sides need to do to enable re-opening of border Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | On February 21, expectations were high among the Ugandan and Rwandan citizens that the border connecting the two countries that has remained shut for exactly a year would be re-opened as Presidents; Yoweri …
Read More »‘Rwanda’ a family again’
President Kagame sees hope, 25 years after genocide Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | President Paul Kagame said April 07 that Rwandans had become a family again; 25 years after more than 800,000 people were slaughtered in a genocide that shocked the world. Kagame lit a remembrance flame at the Kigali …
Read More »RPF celebrates 30 years
How the struggle to liberate Rwanda has shaped the character of post genocide reconstruction THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | This year, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) celebrated its 30th birthday in a magnificent conference hall at its headquarters in Gasabo, 15km outside of Kigali. The party headquarter complex …
Read More »Kagame’s inauguration excites, attracts 20 heads of state
President aims at industrialising Rwanda in new 7-year term President Paul Kagame on Aug.18 pledged to work for Rwandans with pride and honour as he made his inauguration speech at Amahoro National Stadium in the country’s capital, Kigali. The major highlight of the inauguration, which came 14 days after Kagame …
Read More »First batch of RPF regional troops arrive in South Sudan
150 troops from Rwanda arrive in South Sudan for the regional protection force (RPF). Juba, South Sudan | AFP | The head of South Sudan’s UN mission announced on Tuesday the long-awaited arrival of troops from a regional force meant to patrol roads and quell violence in the war-ravaged country. …
Read More »Why Kagame won 99%
Why Kagame won 99% | How Rwandans reacted to the west’s war against the symbol of their nation’s success Kigali, Rwanda | ANALYSIS | ANDREW M. MWENDA | Last week, Paul Kagame won presidential elections in Rwanda by 98.6%. Historically, such margins have only been won in countries like Saddam …
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