President Paul Kagame was officially sworn in as Rwanda’s Head of State on Sunday, August 11, marking the beginning of his new five-year term (2024-2029). The ceremony took place at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, where tens of thousands of Rwandans and international guests gathered to witness the event.
The inauguration followed Kagame’s decisive victory in the July 14-15 elections, where he secured an overwhelming 99 percent of the votes. The 45,000-seat stadium was packed to capacity with attendees, including 22 Heads of State, four Vice Presidents, two Prime Ministers, one Deputy Prime Minister, two Speakers of Parliament, and five leaders from international and regional organizations.
The ceremony featured a range of performances and displays. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) guard of honor presented a military parade, while the national cultural troupe Urukurereza showcased traditional Rwandan dances and music. Local artists also contributed to the festive atmosphere with musical performances.
Chief Justice Faustin Nteziryayo administered the Presidential Oath, in line with the Rwandan Constitution. During the oath, Kagame pledged to uphold the country’s laws, defend the Constitution, and work towards national unity and peace. He committed to serving the interests of all Rwandans and vowed not to misuse his powers for personal gain.
Following the oath, Chief Justice Nteziryayo formally confirmed Kagame’s election, noting that all constitutional requirements had been met. Kagame was then presented with symbolic instruments of power, including a copy of the Constitution, the national flag, and the coat of arms.
RDF Chief of Defence Staff General Mubarakh Muganga also presented Kagame with a shield and sword, symbolizing his role as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This marks the first time Kagame will serve a five-year term, following the 2017 amendment to the Rwandan Constitution. In the coming weeks, Kagame is expected to appoint a new Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will play a key role in forming the rest of the cabinet, with the full government expected to be in place within 30 days of the inauguration.
In other news – Alarming rise in teenage pregnancies in Eastern Cape
Recent statistics from the Eastern Cape Department of Health have highlighted a troubling trend: 4,000 teenage girls have given birth in the province since April this year. The exact number reported is 4,055 births at public health facilities, with a significant portion involving very young girls.
Of these births, 3,961 were girls aged between 15 and 19 years, while 94 were between 10 and 14 years old. Eastern Cape Health spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase noted that the girls reported being impregnated by boys of their own age. He attributed several contributing factors to the surge in teenage pregnancies, including inadequate parental supervision, lack of comprehensive sexual education, alcohol abuse, peer pressure, and gender-based violence. Read More
