(ThyBlackMan.com) INTRODUCTION.
When I was still in refuge, All I heard was stories about how great Kigali was-atleast that is what everyone used to say.
UNHCR officials when asking Rwandan refugees to voluntarily repatriate talked of how clean, serene and secure she was. Other Zambians who had visited Rwanda kept on praising Kigali’s advanced road network and her modern building structures.
But, What comes to any outsider’s mind (someone who has never been to Rwanda) when Rwanda is mentioned? Most of the people will go with the tragedy that befell my native country twenty-two (22) years ago-the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
In the same vein, Rwanda as a whole has been haunted by her shameful past to the extent that many outsiders are blind to the salient fact that KIGALI is currently the cleanest city in Africa, the most secure city in Eastern Africa and one of the few modern city on the continent-efforts that were mostly outsourced from local partnership fortified by a responsible fiscal policy that made sure that the scarce resources available are used wisely.
Unlike other colonial powers, Belgium was a greedy nation-all they did was exploitation and their colonies were left with little to nothing where development was concerned. Rwanda under Belgian trusteeship literally did not see any development.
There was no infrastructure built, no human capital development, no real industries put in place just to mention a few Belgian failures in 
Rwanda. Incidentally, In 1960-Kigali was less like a village with no central business district (CBD) to boast of.
However, The first Rwandan post-independence government was founded on the ideals that included Rwanda’s economic emancipation and as such-the said government had the duty to rectify the mistakes of colonialists. After all-Rwanda was their home and it was imperative that the nation had to adapt to the changing world. To everyone’s surprise-corruption, nepotism, kleptocracy and other retrogressive vices characterized the first Rwandan republic.
Even the limited developmental projects left by Belgians were in ruins. Once again, Kigali became a laughing matter with the Great Lakes region and BUKAVU-a city in South Kivu/DR Congo is said to have been far much better than Rwanda’s capital city in the 1970’s.
The Rwandan people were not happy with this turn of events and people were slowly assimilating the whole political fabric under which they were being led. Nationalist politics played by PARMEHUTU and its President GREGOIRE KAYIBANDA that were premised on demagoguery became irrelevant and change inevitable.
The first republic was founded on the pretext that the TUTSI Monarchy was responsible for the marginalization of the HUTU majority. Ignoring Rwanda’s history where these two dominant tribes had lived together for centuries, intermarried and co-existed, they created a hostile political environment where innocent Tutsi lives were lost and survivors had to flee in exile or seek refuge in neighboring countries.
This opportune time wasted on tribal and region politics was wasted at the expense of Rwanda’s development-proof that the first republic’s priority was elsewhere (far from promoting the interests of the Rwandan people).
Furthermore, JUVENAL HABYARIMANA’s MNRD government came into power with the promise that they were in power to improve on things and work towards the development of Rwanda as a whole. Ironically, During Habyarimana’s twenty-one (21) years of power-the only developmental projects he oversaw in Kigali were AMAHORO STADIUM,URUGWIRO VILLAGE(Built solely for the “La Francophonie” conference that took place in Rwanda) and the PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
What is rather appalling is that under the second regime Rwanda was one of leading coffee and tea exporters within the region and the prices of these two commodities at the international market were relatively high and as such-returns thereof handsome. Could it be that the government in power valued killing their own citizens at the expense of the nation’s development? Even more so-the weapons used in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi are known to have being purchased by the government in power.
In 1994, As the RPF came into power-Kigali was not anywhere a city to be called “CAPITAL”. But today-Kigali can compete with Nairobi and Kampala-a city which could arguably be said to be about fifteen (15) years old. In this article, The author will tell a story of Kigali as he saw it with his own eyes by illustrating points he is familiar with to avoid biasness.
Everything portrayed in this opinion piece is factual and a product of my real experience upon returning to Rwanda/Kigali.
1. POST GENOCIDE KIGALI-A CITY IN NEED OF TOTAL RECONSTRUCTION.
When the genocidal regime had failed, they destroyed, looted everything on their way and Kigali was left in total ruins. Roads were impassable, buildings in shackles; the whole country was in need of restructuring.
As many may know, the international community did not assist the RPF government shortly after the 1994 genocide for unknown reasons and yet they kept helping the genocide regime which had moved to DR Congo and was operating under the UN umbrella claiming to be refugees.
So, The new government had a hard task to realize-they were left with an ungovernable country with no people as most of them had been forced into refuge by the sorry 1994 genocidal government. Many critics predicted that the newly-formed government was not going to last six (6) months.
They were right in some way because at the time-Rwanda was bankrupt and no one was helping the country in overcoming the tragedy they were found in. Nevertheless, The RPF government did not give in nor give up. They came up with a strategy that will come to be known as the KIGALI effect in the years to come.
2. KIGALI-A UNIFYING CITY.
Shortly after the war, Most rural places in Rwanda (especially in the northern and western parts) were still volatile as the genocidal government could infiltrate and attack the country periodically. Many Rwandans had relocated to Kigali for protection as the RPF forces were in full control of the country.
Also, Some survivors were not safe in the countryside as the “INTERAHAMWE” were still present in some of the remote areas and killings had not come to a total end. This group of people also came to kill for their safety. As time passed by, Kigali was a hub of all Rwandans in need of peace and safety-they had come to rebuild.
The government in power faced with the challenge of dispensing justice to the Tutsi genocide survivors and also reconciling the whole Rwandan population started the process in Kigali where a new wave of people had gathered.
They were diversified, They had a common purpose, They were broken, They were in refuge, They needed guidance, They were in urgent need of protection, They were the new Rwanda and Kigali was their common denominator.
The first genocide cases were tried in Kigali and the first reconciliatory projects were implemented in the same city.
After the war, It was in Kigali where former “genocidaires” could live next to the survivors of their heinous crimes peacefully.
3. KIGALI-A WORKING PROJECT.
3.1. RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS.
Many people say that Kigali is only twenty (20) years old as almost every development present in Kigali today was made during the RPF’s tenure of office. Assuming that they were some key buildings in Kigali to point to prior to the year 1994, They had been destroyed during the war. The new government in power had the task of renovating existing buildings (hospitals, schools, etc…) before anything else and in doing so, They gave Kigali a modern touch it now boasts of. It is to be noted that most of the government offices in KACYIRU (ministries) are new. 3.2. ADVANCED ROAD NETWORK.
Before 1994, It took one nine (9) to ten (10) hours to move from KIGALI to RUBAVU/GISENYI due to a deplorable road network. This road was not tarred and was full of potholes. Today, It takes only three (3) hours.
3.3. KIGALI CITY TOWER-A MODERN SKYSCRAPPER.
Talk of Johannesburg, Talk of Nairobi, Talk of Addis Ababa, Kigali city tower can fit in all the aforesaid cities.
It is truly a symbol of progress-a modern building for that matter wholly initiated by the efforts of the PAUL KAGAME-led government. I for one lived in Lusaka for years and even though Zambia has more tall buildings than Rwanda, Kigali city tower would stand out in Lusaka.
And it is to be noted that most tall buildings found in Lusaka are mere old colonial heritages like in most commonwealth countries whereas Rwanda boasts of her own innovation free from colonial assistance.
3.4 NYARUTARAMA/A WORLD CLASS SUBURB.
Before the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, The only decent neighborhood in Kigali was KIYOVU-reason being that most of the former Rwandan presidents lived there. Anyway that is in the past. New York has Manhattan, Lusaka has New Kasama, Kigali has NYARUTARAMA-a modern city within a city.
Every house in this area comprises of modern facilities. It is the part of Kigali where the best flats are found. This area has its own mall, It has modern bars, etc….. One cannot help but think of western civilization whenever they are in NYARUTARAMA.
3.5. FIVE (5) STAR HOTELS.
Below are some of the 5* Hotels found in Kigali; 1. SERENA HOTEL, 2. GRAND LEGACY HOTEL, 3. RADDISON BLUE HOTEL, 4. KIGALI MARRIOT HOTEL, 5.5 TO 5 HOTELS, etc…..
3.6. KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: “RWANDA AIR.”
Eastern Congo depends solely on Rwanda for international trade, Rwanda Air provides Congolese businessmen access to the world. It is cheaper and has connecting flights to the whole world. Other than the above, Kigali International Airport is a world class airport and as of right now-it is under reconstruction to even make it more of a world standard.
4. RWANDA HOSTS CHAN (CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT).
Sixteen (16) African teams participated, The event went on as smooth as possible and once again-Kigali was in the spotlight. Rwanda scored a score that was perfect and though DR Congo took the trophy, President PAUL KAGAME celebrated the win as those Rwandans were the winners-in all good neighborliness and brotherhood. He said, DR Congo’s victory was Rwanda’s victory.
5. WORLD CONFERENCES HELD IN KIGALI IN THE RECENT YEARS.
5.1 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM.
Twenty-two (22) years ago-who could ever tell that Rwanda could one day host a world event? But, Recently Kigali successfully hosted the world economic forum-Rwanda was chosen because of her model where economic strides are concerned.
Rwanda is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies. She has little to no natural resources but as we speak, The Rwandan government has invested a great deal in human capital and technology that every creative act contributes to the young nation.
Right now, To move from one place to another using public transport in Kigali-every passenger must possess an ELECTRONIC BOARDING CARD-failure to which they cannot access this critical service. School fees are paid online, Taxes are remitted online too, There is a one laptop per child government policy in place in Rwanda. All these things motivated the world to come and learn from Rwanda and the feedback was tremendously comforting.
Everyone was impressed by how organized Rwanda was, How they were able to use little resources to achieve extraordinary things. In short, Rwanda’s economic success is inspiring.
5.2. RWANDA HOSTS THE 27th AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT.
This one was one of a kind, No one saw it coming. Once again-Kigali was at the forefront of world politics and Rwanda delivered once again. This gigantic event was held in KIGALI CONVENTIONAL CENTER-a world class conference and of peculiar nature. Right now, It is more like Kigali’s Eiffel Tower due to its visibility and symbolism. Most African Head of states were present in Kigali and after the event, Some opted to extend their stay.
They were impressed by the country’s impeccable road network, security and other developmental projects undertaken by the Rwandan government.
CONCLUSION.
KIGALI, The cleanest city of Africa and one of the most secure ones is not just your ordinary capital city. It once gave hope to many Rwandans after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Even now, It is still Rwanda’s commercial hub-the destination for those Rwandans who want to venture into big businesses.
Furthermore, Kigali is now a global force.
The KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT has links to the whole world and connects the whole eastern DR Congo to the outside world. Over the years, Kigali has held world conferences and given Rwanda’s history (a country ravaged by genocide 22 years ago), Kigali seems to be on the right path-a model African capital city. What Kigali has become is as a result of the zeal to rise above the status quo-a state of affairs promulgated by the leadership of President PAUL KAGAME.
He turned a village into a city to reckon with-proof that the RPF government only cares about the welfare of the Rwandan general citizenry and more importantly-the development of the country (ITERAMBERE as it is known in Rwanda).
Staff Writer; Lionel Nishimwe
We are an ‘ ADVOCACY AGENCY’ that specialises in DISPUTE SETTLEMENT in liaison with relevant ‘LEGAL ADVOCATES’. Can visit our official “fanpage” over at Facebook; Lionel Nishimwe & Ngandu Consultancy.
May contact this brother at; lionelngayaboshya@gmail.com.