Rwandans have been an army of lions led by a lion throughout the nation's development journey, Paul Kagame, the Chairman and flagbearer of RPF-Inkotanyi and allied parties in the ongoing presidential campaigns, said on Tuesday, June 25.
He encouraged Rwandans to keep at it so as to accomplish even more.
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Kagame was speaking to hundreds of thousands of supporters from Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Kamonyi districts who gathered at Rugarama site for his fourth campaign rally. It is estimated that more than 500,000 RPF members turned out at the campaigning site, the first stop in Kigali.
On behalf of allied political parties, Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, the Chairperson of PDI, thanked Kagame for restoring the dignity for the Islamic community in Rwanda and championing Ndi Umunyarwanda programme among Rwandans.
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PDI, he said, firmly supports Kagame given his track record of development efforts that benefited all Rwandans.
Given the history of being abandoned by the international community and later criticized by the latter over the course of the past 30 years, according to Kagame, it is a hard battle that was fought by the RPF and Rwandans being an army of lions led by a lion.
He said the unity that is always emphasized, having goals, and doing the right things based on their own choices, culminates into the strength of Rwandans.
"As a candidate of RPF and allied parties, I don't ask you for anything, but thank you. The trust between you and the RPF-led coalition that wishes for this country to always create new history aligned with the times we are in, speaks for itself."
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He noted that the trust must continue, noting that the future aspirations are not rumours but factual.
"Our past achievements do not make us complacent but strengthen us to build and accomplish even more," Kagame said, adding that when people elect leaders, they have a vision they expect to realize through them.
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"As you have not changed and are still the army of lions, I have not changed as well...you did not front me to this to leave me in it, we are together in this."
The incumbent President mentioned that young people are the country's army of lions and the battle they face is multifaceted; involving politics, economy, unity, development, and the other necessary aspects.
In the journey of gender equality, Kagame noted that Rwandan women are lionesses who continue to be the cornerstone of families with the many roles they play.
"We cannot mention men without women, and vice versa."
In the presidential and parliamentary elections set for July 14-15, Kagame is competing with former lawmaker Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.
Rita Ngoga, a soon to be first-time voter in Kigali's Nyarugenge District, expressed her excitement, telling The New Times, that she is looking forward to election day when she will vote for the candidate who has done so much for the country and continues to work for the nation's greater development.
