President Museveni has congratulated his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, on winning the 2024 presidential election.
According to the Rwanda National Electoral Commission, Kagame is leading with 99.15% of the vote while opposition candidates Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana are trailing with 0.53% and 0.32%, respectively.
This is according to the partial results released by the commission. NEC chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa says they will release the final results on July 27, 2024.
“Your Excellency, Paul Kagame, I wish to congratulate you and the RPF party on the victory in Rwanda’s national elections. Your re-election is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Rwanda have in your leadership,” said Museveni.
He said Uganda recognizes Rwanda as a strategic ally with a shared vision of peace and prosperity.
“I look forward to collaborating with you for the benefit of our nations and the East African Community,” he added.
No incident of violence
According to David Maraga, the head of the East African Community (EAC) Election Observation Mission, the 2024 Rwandan General Election was held without a single incident of violence which he termed “a remarkable milestone in the country’s transformation”.
“The conduct of the election gave the people of Rwanda an opportunity to choose their leaders in a free and fair manner,” he said.
The EAC Election Observation Mission to Rwanda led by Maraga on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Paul Kagame at State House, Kigali. The mission also engaged all three candidates who ran for President in the 2024 Rwanda General Election held on 15th July.
“It’s one of the best organized electoral processes I have seen. We have seen in some places elections which are chaotic, that was not here at all, there was no noise generally,” added Maraga.
Kenyan President William Ruto also congratulated Kagame upon 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,” said Ruto.
He added: “I look forward to continuing to work with you in regional and Pan-African affairs to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and fraternity between the peoples of Kenya and Rwanda.”
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu said she looked forward to continuing working with Kagame in fostering the relations between the two countries and in the pursuit of East Africa’s unity and prosperity.
