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  • Rwanda’s Election Results: How To Make Sense of Kagame’s Landslide Victory? #rwanda #RwOT

    According to David Maraga, the head of the East African Community (EAC) election observation team dispatched to Rwanda, the election was one of the best-organized electoral processes he has seen. However, such a remark is not enough to put an end to debates about whether the elections were free and fair.

    For some, the election results reflect the popularity of Kagame and the RPF, as demonstrated by the massive turnout at the presidential campaign rallies. For others, it is yet another sign that the 2024 elections were merely a formality.

    A presidential candidate winning 99% of the votes is an unusual occurrence, but what is unusual isn’t necessarily bad. The natural reaction to these results should be to ask why Paul Kagame remains such a popular figure in Rwanda even after two decades in power. No matter where you look for the answer, one thing must be acknowledged: Paul Kagame holds an unchallenged position in Rwanda’s post-1994 politics. Rwandans view Kagame as the architect of Rwanda’s development, and a future without him is one many are not ready to imagine, let alone embrace.

    Unfortunately, the world shows little interest in hearing what Rwandans, especially young Rwandans, have to say about their views on Rwanda’s politics. Time and again, international critics have shown an unwillingness to accept that the Rwandan people are rational thinkers with agency, and hence, their choices are not taken seriously.

    Discussing Rwandan politics as simply undemocratic or dictatorial is too simplistic. It is not that Rwanda doesn’t aspire to democracy, but that democracy is not in any way an end in itself. Rwanda is a country where politics was once a matter of life and death. Present-day Rwanda is one that many could not have even dreamed of 30 years ago. For that reason, Rwandans think and act within a historical context, not just in abstract concepts or theoretical frameworks.

    Rwandans, like any people in the world, have the ultimate wish to live in peace, have security, and improve their living standards. To them, meaningful politics and voting are those that allow them to maintain what they have achieved over the last 30 years and hope for even better living conditions.

    Otto von Bismarck’s saying that 'politics is the art of the possible' captures the essence of Rwanda’s politics in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. While many thought Rwanda would forever remain a failed state, the RPF managed to start from scratch and build a country with a new unifying identity for all Rwandans.

    Rwandans have tested and approved of Paul Kagame’s leadership. While the world is more concerned about when Kagame will step down, the majority of Rwandans want to continue living under the stability of his leadership. The unknowns of new leadership are not attractive to them. Dismissing them for not thinking beyond Kagame or belittling their choice using lofty terms like democracy is unfair.

    As for Rwanda’s future, no one can be certain. But one thing is sure: Rwandans are far more united than they were decades ago. If they could rebuild their country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, they will not fail to continue along that path now that they are more united and share a vision of a more prosperous Rwanda.

    On the final day of Kagame’s rally, an immense crowd of over 400,000 people triumphantly welcomed their champion.

    Rwandans from all walks of life were always present to support Kagame.

    The presidential election in Rwanda is a time for celebration.

    About the author:
    Claudine Ukubereyimfura
    Learning Coach at the African Leadership University
    BA in International Studies from Yonsei University
    MA in China Studies (Politics and International Relations) from Yenching Academy of Peking University

    Claudine Ukubereyimfura

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/rwanda-s-election-results-how-to-make-sense-of-kagame-s-landslide-victory

  • RPF salutes Rwandans on good conduct during elections #rwanda #RwOT

    In a statement released on Wednesday July 17, 2024, the RPF expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by Rwandans in the elections.

    'It is yet another testament of the trust and confidence placed in our leadership and vision for Rwanda. We remain committed to working for national unity, sustainable development, and prosperity for all Rwandans,' reads the statement.

    While waiting for the final results to be announced, RPF thanked all Rwandans and all friends of Rwanda for their support.

    Rwandans went to the polls on July 14, 2024 (for the diaspora) and locally the elections were held on July 15 with special interest groups being voted for on July 16, 2024.

    Partial results released put RPF-Inkotanyi candidate Paul Kagame in the lead with 99.15% followed Dr. Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana with 0.53% and 0.32% respectively.

    RPF leadership has commended the Rwandan people for exhibiting good conduct in the recently concluded Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    Sam K Nkurunziza

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/rpf-salutes-rwandans-on-good-conduct-during-elections

  • American NGO denies funding Kenyan protests #rwanda #RwOT

    The Foundation was forced into the raging debate about governance issues in Kenya early this week after President William Ruto claimed that proceeds from the foundation were being used to sponsor the protests.

    Ruto had earlier challenged the Ford Foundation to explain the purpose of the money the foundation was giving to Kenyans threatening to throw them out of the country if nothing changed.

    In a twist of events, the Foundation has strongly denied Ruto’s claims, stating that the organisation does not condone violence.

    “While we acknowledge the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, we repudiate any actions or speeches that are hateful or advocate for violence against any institution, individual, or community. We did not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy for all of our grant making,” the Ford Foundation said in a statement.

    The Foundation has a long history of supporting social justice initiatives globally, including in Kenya, a mission it is vehemently committed to.

    “As we noted during the Kenyan state visit to the United States this past May, we are committed to building on the legacy of the Ford Foundation’s more than 60 years in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that extend to all,” the organisation added.

    Deadly protests

    The protests in Kenya have so far claimed 50 lives according to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC). At least 20 of the victims were shot dead when angry protesters stormed Parliament buildings in Nairobi shortly after the passing of the Finance Bill 2024 on June 25.

    The protests forced Ruto to make several concessions including the withdrawal of the controversial bill and recently firing his entire Cabinet.

    President Ruto, in a surprise move, also scrapped operations budgets for the Office of the First Lady and that of the wife to the Deputy President.

    However, despite the changes, Kenyans returned to the streets on Tuesday, demanding the President’s resignation.

    Wycliffe Nyamasege

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/american-ngo-denies-funding-kenyan-protests

  • Election observers: Rwanda had peaceful, diligently managed polls #rwanda #RwOT

    International election observers have, in a joint statement, commended Rwanda for a 'peaceful electoral environment' and diligent management as millions of Rwandans took part in the July 14-16 general elections.

    The observers came from organisations including the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), and the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF).

    In a press conference held in Kigali on Wednesday, July 17, they noted that having interacted with various key stakeholders involved in the electoral process and witnessed the campaigns, voting, vote counting and tallying, they saw that 'the electoral, political and security environment in the Republic of Rwanda before, during and immediately after the elections has been calm and peaceful.'

    In the statement, they also said the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and other institutions responsible for managing the electoral process discharged their duty diligently in accordance with the electoral calendar.

    David Maraga, the former Chief Justice of Kenya who headed the EAC Election Observation Mission, said the electoral process was conducted in a calm and peaceful environment that enabled the candidates to campaign freely.

     

    African Union and COMESA observers interact at the polling site
    African Union and COMESA observers interact at the polling site

     

    Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, the former Prime Minister of Cape Verde, who headed the joint AU-COMESA Election Observation Mission to Rwanda, praised the country for being one of the African countries that fully finance their polls, as well as using cost-friendly equipment and establishing polling stations in places like hospitals.

    He also said that his team observed that priority was given to persons with disability during the voting activities, as well as the elderly, expectant and nursing mothers.

    'All polling stations visited had sufficient security personnel whose conduct was professional and non-obstructive,' he said.

    'While the processing time for each voter to cast their ballot was low, the mission noted that in some polling stations, the one volunteer assigned to each process was at times overwhelmed,' he added.

    Fonseca also lauded the calm and orderly culture of celebrating elections and voting as 'a patriotic duty through associating the process with national colours, culture and music to promote tolerance and cohesion.'

    Leaders have extended their congratulations to President-elect Paul Kagame after he secured 99.15 percent of the July 14-15 vote, leaving his opponents far behind, as per partial results released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

    The NEC is set to announce provisional results no later than July 20, with final results expected by July 27. Kagame on Tuesday said that the landslide victory is a demonstration of the trust Rwandans have in him, noting that it is built over time.

     

    The National Electoral Commission late Tuesday announced partial results of the presidential elections in which Kagame, the candidate of the RPF-Inkotanyi coalition collected 99.15 percent votes, against Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana who got 0.53 percent and 0.32 percent, respectively.

    The results announced on Tuesday were from 79 per cent of the votes tallied from both within the country and voters from the diaspora. More than nine million Rwandans were expected to vote in the election and according to NEC, the voter turnout was at 98 per cent.

    The post Election observers: Rwanda had peaceful, diligently managed polls appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/election-observers-rwanda-had-peaceful-diligently-managed-polls/

  • African leaders congratulate Rwanda's Paul Kagame on electoral win #rwanda #RwOT

    Rwanda's President Paul Kagame continues to receive congratulatory messages from his African peers on his landslide electoral victory in the just-concluded general election.

    Presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau were among the first to send goodwill messages to the veteran Rwandan President, who is embarking on his fourth term after garnering over 99 percent votes cast, according to partial results released on Monday by the National Electoral Commission.

    President Ruto said: 'On behalf of the people and Government of Kenya, I have the pleasure to convey warmest congratulations upon your re-election to serve a further term as President of the Republic of Rwanda. We celebrate with you the sovereign choice of the people of Rwanda and wish you success as you continue steering your country in the path of peace, stability and posterity. I look forward to continuing working with you in regional and pan-African affairs in strengthening the bonds of solidarity and fraternity between the peoples of Kenya and Rwanda.'

    President Samia said: 'On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Paul Kagame for being re-elected as the President of the Republic of Rwanda. I look forward to working with you in fostering the relations between our two countries and in the pursuit of East Africa's unity and prosperity.'

    President Nyusi congratulated Kagame, the ruling party and the Rwandan people, 'offering our best wishes for success as you assume the new mandate in the position overwhelmingly entrusted to you by the people of Rwanda.'

    President Embaló hailed the Rwandan leader on his resounding re-election and wished him 'a new mandate strengthened by peace, prosperity and progress.'

    By Tuesday, the NEC had counted 96.6 percent of the cast votes, or 8,761,453 out of 9,071,157.

    The ruling coalition, RPF-Inkotanyi, had secured 62.67 percent of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies, according to results released by NEC chair Oda Gasinzigwa.

    The tallying of the presidential and parliamentary votes is ongoing and the NEC is expected to announce the provisional results by July 20 and the final results on July 27.

    Meanwhile, President Kagame's two competitors, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana have conceded.

    The President said on Monday that he would hit the ground running.

    'The elections are now behind us, what is left is developing Rwanda,' he told supporters at the RPF headquarters in Kigali after the electoral commission announced partial results showing his resounding victory.

    The post African leaders congratulate Rwanda's Paul Kagame on electoral win appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/african-leaders-congratulate-rwandas-paul-kagame-on-electoral-win/

  • Ohio voters hope son of soil JD Vance will 'do something good for us #rwanda #RwOT

    For many in Middletown, Ohio, JD Vance is better-known as a bestselling author and hit Hollywood movie subject than a politician who on Monday was propelled into the political big-time as Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick.

    Amanda Bailey moved into Vance's grandmother's house, the home in which Vance was mostly raised, 18 months ago. Since then, she's been dealing with a steady stream of curious passersby inspired by Vance's 2016 autobiography, Hillbilly Elegy, and the 2020 film of the same name, driving by and taking photos of the house.

    Bailey, who works at a local hardware store, admits she's not entirely up to speed with Vance's policy positions.

    'I hope he'll do something good for us, and I think he will,' she says.

    Her thoughts are echoed by Jerry Dobbins, who has lived three doors down the street for the past 31 years. Dobbins says his memories of Vance's family are mainly of the vice-presidential candidate's grandmother, Bonnie, who mostly raised JD and his sister, Lindsay.

    'Bonnie was a tough bird. She was just a strong woman from Kentucky,' he says.

    But there's a reason Bailey, Dobbins and a number of other Middletown residents say they are not especially concerned by Vance being rocketed into the political mainstream without much in the way of experience — it's because they have complete faith in the person who picked him: Donald Trump.

    'I like Trump,' says Bailey. 'And I think they'll do a lot of good work together.'

    'Trump's not a politician. He's a businessman,' says Dobbins, who worked as a fabricator at a nearby aerospace company before retiring. 'When Trump got in [in 2016], things started looking better economy-wise, business-wise. I don't think he can be beat [in November].'

    The Middletown Vance was raised in is not unlike the dozens of other left-behind communities in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and beyond, where Trump's particular brand of politics and rhetoric has found favor. In Butler county, which encompasses most of Middletown and several satellite towns of Cincinnati, Trump beat Biden by 24 points in the 2020 election.

    Like thousands of others, Vance's family were lured from Appalachia to Ohio by the promise of work at Middletown's many paper and steel mills that for much of the 20th century dominated the region's economy.

    And as with dozens of other rust-belt towns, Middletown's economy shrank due to industrial offshoring that began in the 1970s, giving rise to job losses and the ravages of the opioid epidemic that endure today.

    It's these ills, which the 39-year-old Vance has blamed on Joe Biden, immigrants and China, that he has used to craft a so-far successful political career. Despite these claims, the Biden administration has invested billions of dollars in the midwest, while immigrants have helped stem population decline in many towns and cities.

    For longtime Middletown residents Bev and Tom Pressler, Vance's lack of political experience may even be an advantage.

    'I think the young blood is good. We need some younger politicians running the country,' says Tom. 'Obama got in and he wasn't all that old, and he didn't have all that experience. Trump didn't have all that experience and I think he did excellent.'

    For Bev Pressler, a 62-year-old resident, Vance has worked hard to get where he is today.

    'If you saw the movie and read the book, he was trying to get into these schools, he was trying to pull his mom out of drug addiction, his family depended on him,' she says.

    But not everyone in Middletown thinks Vance's meteoric rise to the forefront of US politics is a good thing.

    'He has a legislative legacy of zero achievements, especially lacking any meaningful support for Ohioans,' says Kathy Wyenandt, the chair of the Butler county Democratic party.

    'Vance is willing to change his beliefs at any time for the sake of amassing power … he is an out-of-touch millionaire and political shapeshifter who is wrong for Ohio, and wrong for our country.'

    Although Vance launched his political career in the US Senate with a campaign rally at a steel manufacturer in Middletown in July 2021, locals say they haven't seen much of him since then.

    'What concerns me more than anything is that, at Senator Vance's age, he is able to take the Maga agenda and to see it out far beyond even Trump's time, if he were to get re-elected,' says Scotty Robertson, a pastor who's lived in Middletown for seven years.

    'Those policies are so destructive to our country and to Middletown. We're talking about potentially ending social security and Medicare as we know it, continuing to roll back voting rights and ensuring that large segments of our population find it extremely hard to even vote. We're talking about supporting policy that allows the president to essentially do whatever he or she chooses without any kind of accountability.'

    Still, for Debbie Dranschak, who with her husband runs the White Dog Distilling Company on Middletown's Central Avenue, that's not enough of a reason not to vote for his running mate in November.

    'I don't know him, I don't know his politics, but I'm glad Trump picked him,' she says. 'Biden is just too old. He needs to get out. I grew up Democrat, but it's about who is going to do the best for the country.'

    For Chad Sebald, an audio engineer, Vance has been unfairly labeled by some locally as a 'class traitor' — someone who leaves behind the people they grew up with in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

    'Knowing his history, he came from nothing. He did what just about anybody in Middletown would do — he got out. I can't blame the guy for getting out of here,' says Sebald, who also plans to vote for Trump in November.

    However, for a few minutes on the same street Vance was raised, the kind of dangerous, racist rhetoric that many say Trump has fueled over the years was in full view on Monday afternoon.

    As a local TV news car pulled up to interview residents, a man wearing a T-shirt with the word 'freedom' written on it emerges from a nearby home angrily asking the car and its occupants to leave.

    'JD Vance is a race traitor,' he yells. Vance's wife, Usha, is the daughter of immigrants from India. 'Fuck that motherfucker.'

    The post Ohio voters hope son of soil JD Vance will 'do something good for us appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/ohio-voters-hope-son-of-soil-jd-vance-will-do-something-good-for-us/

  • China’s rise in sci-tech: From stagnation to global power #rwanda #RwOT

    Landline home phones were a luxury in China back in the 1970s, when an average employee earned a few hundred yuan a month but had to pay a staggering 3,000 yuan for a new installation. Now, in 2024, new installations cost only 100 yuan ($13.8), while the average salary has increased to thousands of yuan.

    The Chinese people can enjoy such drastic price cuts thanks to the country’s sci-tech development. In the 1970s, China relied on imported telephone infrastructure. With no key technology at hand, the price of a phone service was largely decided by foreign tech powers. Now, China is a major player in 5G, with companies like Huawei and ZTE being industry leaders.

    China’s transformation from an underdeveloped nation to a global scientific powerhouse is a result of strategic planning and sustained investment. The cornerstone of this remarkable journey was the launch of the reform and opening-up policies in 1978.

    Prior to this, China was mired in economic stagnation and poverty. Agriculture dominated the economy, characterized by low productivity and yields. Industry was underdeveloped, inefficient and heavily reliant on sectors like steel and coal.

    Furthermore, the Cold War had limited China’s access to advanced technology and new knowledge in foreign countries.

    Recognizing the critical role of science and technology in driving economic growth, China made a pivotal shift in 1978 with the holding of the National Science Conference. The country’s decision makers recognized science and technology as a “productive force” — a Marxist concept that drives the society forward. They embarked on a mission to rebuild the country’s research infrastructure, foster collaboration with global researchers and align scientific endeavors with national development goals. In 1988, China’s leadership further promoted sci-tech as the “primary productive force.”

    In 1995, China formalized its commitment to science by declaring it one of the two keys of national rejuvenation. The government further solidified this priority in 2006 with the Outline of National Medium- and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), elevating innovation to a national strategy.

    This strategic focus bore fruit. By the end of 2023, China’s research and development expenditure had skyrocketed over 200 times compared to 1991, reaching a staggering 3.3 trillion yuan ($460 billion). This massive investment fueled a vibrant innovation ecosystem, attracting and nurturing a burgeoning scientific workforce that grew ninefold to 6.35 million full-time equivalents by the end of 2023.

    The results are undeniable. China’s intellectual output has soared, with over 4 million invention patents granted by the end of 2023 — an 80-fold increase from 1991.

    China’s journey is a compelling case study of how strategic investment in science and technology can transform a nation’s trajectory. By prioritizing research, development and innovation, China has catapulted itself into the ranks of global scientific leaders.

    CGTN

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/china-s-rise-in-sci-tech-from-stagnation-to-global-power

  • This is the best organised electoral process – CJ Maraga on Rwanda’s election #rwanda #RwOT

    Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Maraga described Rwanda’s polls as one of the most organized electoral processes he has ever witnessed.

    “The electoral process was very orderly and peaceful. In fact, one of the best-organized I have ever seen. The organization was superb unlike in some places where elections are chaotic, rowdy, and noisy, even at the polling stations on polling day,” Maraga stated.

    “My people gave me information from all the polling stations that there was no dancing, no noise in general, and it was very good,' he added.

    Maraga’s delegation comprised 55 observers dispatched to different parts of the country on election day.

    Maraga’s delegation comprised 55 observers.

    Apart from the EAC, other observer groups present during the elections included the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

    Others were from the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) and the electoral mission of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF).

    In a joint statement, the observers affirmed that the electoral, political, and security environment in Rwanda before, during, and immediately after the elections was calm and peaceful.

    “The National Electoral Commission and other institutions responsible for managing the electoral process have so far discharged their duty diligently in accordance with the electoral calendar,” reads the statement.

    The observers commended the government for the successful election and also congratulated the people of Rwanda for exercising their democratic right.

    Partial results announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Monday July 15, 2024 put President Paul Kagame in the lead with 99.15% followed Dr. Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana with 0.53% and 0.32% respectively.

    Maraga described Rwanda’s polls as one of the most organized electoral processes he has ever witnessed.

    Wycliffe Nyamasege

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/this-is-the-best-organised-electoral-process-cj-maraga-on-rwanda-s-election

  • NATO to send 800,000 soldiers to fight Russia in Ukraine #rwanda #RwOT

    A prominent NATO ally reportedly has a 'plan' to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops to fight Russia in the event of a future war.

    One of Germany's leading national newspapers reported that 800,000 troops could be mobilised along much of the nation in a significant escalation of World War III fears.

    Der Spiegel said it gained the information from a 'secret document' that claims German and NATO ally troops will use ports, highways, and railways to move eastwards in the event of an all out war with Vladimir Putin's Russia.

    It wrote that the troops and weapons would need to be deployed within three to six months of a conflict along the A2 highway, which runs 300 miles from the city of Oberhausen in the west of Germany or Berlin in the east.

    The vital route, running close to NATO ally Poland's border, includes bridges which, Der Spiegel said would be top targets for Russian attacks.

     

    Attacks of this kind could significantly delay the mobilisation of NATO troops, and so Germany is reportedly looking at alternative routes and contingencies.

    The troops would also need housing, feeding, and a host of supplies, which is also being planned for, according to the newspaper, which revealed that stops for supplies and rest would be needed every 300 to 500 meters.

    The report claimed Germany's Federal Police would need to exercise new powers, including conscription and running prisoner of war camps.

    The Telegraph previously reported that NATO has plans for land 'corridords' to move troops and equipment through in a potential future war with Russia

    The reported routes include from Italy to Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary, and via Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Scandinavia.

    German officials have been vocal about the possibility of a large-scale conflict in Europe as the Russia-Ukraine rages on and Putin looks to expand his control.
    However, NATO allies have repeatedly stressed that any mobilisation of troops to help in Ukraine's fight against Russia would not be involved in combat duties as they don't want to provoke Russia.

    The post NATO to send 800,000 soldiers to fight Russia in Ukraine appeared first on The Custom Reports.

    Source : https://thecustomreports.com/nato-to-send-800000-soldiers-to-fight-russia-in-ukraine/

  • The pressing need to reinvigorate Rwanda’s PR body #rwanda #RwOT

    In a rapidly changing and dynamic communications landscape, it’s imperative that PR institutions in Rwanda adapt and stay ahead of the curve. Rwanda has made remarkable progress in various sectors, and to sustain this momentum, we must ensure that our PR framework is robust, innovative, and forward-thinking.

    Are you curious about the PR landscape in East Africa? Let’s explore how the East African region (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda) regulates the PR and communications profession within its respective borders.

    While Tanzania has the PR Society of Tanzania (PRST) as its umbrella body, Uganda boasts the PR Association of Uganda (PRAU), established in 1976. The PR Society of Kenya (PRSK), also known as the PR Association of Kenya, is over 50 years old, and its founders took a proactive step to guide and unite PR practitioners in Kenya.

    But what about Rwanda? Though in its early stages, the PR and communications industry is showing promising growth.

    With a burgeoning corporate culture of brand reputation awareness and a rising number of communications agencies offering their services, there’s a clear potential to attract significant brands to the Rwandan economy with the proper guidance.

    Despite this potential, the industry needs more guidance, and unqualified practitioners risk diluting the field. Many practitioners need clarification on job titles, and some employers are equally confused.

    Rwanda’s PR professionals must work under one umbrella to address this pressing issue. They could borrow a leaf from the accountant (ICPAR) and what the marketers are trying to do (with the Rwanda Marketing Association).

    The PR Association of Rwanda (PRAR) already exists but is relatively inactive despite hosting the 31st African PR Association (APRA) conference in Kigali in 2019.

    This year, some of Rwanda’s PR practitioners (this writer inclusive) toyed with the idea of hosting APRA 2025, which could have been a significant opportunity for boosting the PR landscape.

    While we lost the bid to Kenya, this highlighted the urgency to revamp PRAR as a pressing issue for the industry.

    APRA is usually endorsed by significant global PR associations, including the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management (GA), and, at times, the African Union Commission (AUC). It has also previously featured the SABRE Awards Africa, showcasing the best PR work globally.
    Reputation management is becoming increasingly important in today’s interconnected world. For Rwanda’s case and her MICE efforts effective PR is indispensable in attracting investment, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the country’s global image.

    But how can PRAR keep up with the ever-changing trends of digital media and social networking platforms? The answer is simple: foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its members and stakeholders.

    The urgency of revamping PRAR is underscored by the growing importance of reputation management in today’s interconnected world.

    As Rwanda manages and enhances its global image, an active PR body can be the key to shaping and safeguarding this reputation on the international stage. It can also leverage strategic methods to regulate and protect the trade from scavenging employers who despise the PR profession.

    Moreover, the digital revolution has transformed how information is disseminated and consumed, posing opportunities and challenges for Rwanda’s PR professionals.

    In this complex media landscape, PRAR is needed to play a crucial role in guiding innovation and encouraging its would-be members to harness digital tools and analytics to engage different audiences effectively and connect with the region’s finest.

    This is a simple call to action for practising PR professionals in Rwanda. It’s time to pump some life into PRAR, stay relevant, and guide brand custodians.

    By prioritising strategic thinking and elevating Rwanda’s PR industry to new heights of excellence, we can help guide the country and corporate brands on how best they can safeguard their reputations.

    The writer is a PR practitioner based in Kigali, Rwanda.

    David Kezio-Musoke

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/opinion/article/the-pressing-need-to-reinvigorate-rwanda-s-pr-body