Six people died following grenade attack in Rwanda capital Kigali

By Robert Mugabe

Kigali: At least 6 people are reported dead from the large blast that rocked a busy area of Kigali center Wednesday evening – which is going to change the lives of many people who were seriously injured.

Police arrested 3 people on the scene, and spokesman Eric Kayiranga said Thursday that no new details were available as yet, as investigations continue.

At about 20minutes to 19:00hours, a large explosion went off as people hurried to go home during the rush hour, according to witnesses working at the Rubangura area. The bomb exploded at the exact spot where taxis headed for Nyamirambo Park.

Compared to a similar explosion earlier this year, witnesses say the Wednesday blast was larger, louder and more destructive. No building was affected, but several taxis were damaged. A motorcycle could be seen completely destroyed.

Two young men were in the intensive care unit undergoing surgery, says our reporter.

Another victim named Mbyabarumwanzi Eduard (40) said he only remembers seeing what he described as a “blue Toyota” vehicle passing by him. The next thing I woke up hospital, narrated Mbyabarumwanzi

An unidentified woman lost her eye in the explosion.

Doctors at the Kigali hospital say all the injured will fully recover, but that they need a lot of counseling from the trauma of the explosion.

All of Thursday, business had returned to normal at the blast area, but what is noticeable is the tightened security. Soldiers and police officers can be seen at every corner of the area, and in increased presence from the pre-election period.

Police have not been providing as much detail on the casualties – which some sources say are much higher than known. Some are reported to be getting treatment in other health centers around Kigali.

Vote counting ends in Rwanda as Paul Kagame takes it all by 93.8%

By Robert Mugabe

This is the third day of vote counting as the Monday’s preliminary count from 11 districts predicts that the ruling party RPF-Inkotanyi has got 92.9% and 96% from Diaspora as the second party PSD has only 4.5%

The reliable sources in the electoral commission say that RPF’s strong man Paul Kagame have won on high percentage of 93.8% meaning he has to remain in office for another seven years

Kagame's supporters say he has brought both stability and steady economic growth since the country's genocide in 1994; however, his critics accuse him of suppressing opposition and undermining democracy
On Monday, voting began promptly at 0600 local time (0400 GMT) and the polls closed at 1500 (1300 GMT).

During the campaign Mr Kagame held massive election rallies attended by tens of thousands of supporters.

His supporters say he has strengthened agricultural output, rebuilt the country's institutions, tackled corruption effectively and promoted women's rights and an environmentally friendly agenda.

The reliable sources in the Rwanda electoral commission has told this blog that current results in Rwanda's presidential elections are likely as follows:
Paul Kagame (RPF) 93.08%, Prosper Higiro (Liberal Party) 1.37%, Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo (PSD) 5.15% and Dr Alvera Mukabaramba (PPC) 0.40%

The previews elections in 2003, Kagame won with 95% of the vote.

Contestants congratulates Kagame

In a statement sent to media houses yesterday, Ntawukuriryayo and his family congratulated Paul Kagame for the confidence Rwandans have put in him once again to lead them for the next seven year term as president.

“I congratulate him and his family, and the whole Rwandan population and friends of Rwanda and wish them all the best,” reads part of the statement.
Yesterday night, the liberal party flag bearer, Prosper Higiro said that, he would accept the out come of the election

RPF supporters begun celebrating the victory ahead of official NEC declaration and to day they are taking celebrations at the villages lavel

South Africa recalls its Ambassador to Kigali

By Robert Mugabe

South Africa has recalled its ambassador to Kigali following a diplomatic row over the shooting of an exiled Rwandan army general in Johannesburg, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

The director general in the S.Africa foreign ministry, Ayanda Ntsaluba was quoted by Paris based news agency AFP as saying that his country have called their ambassador for consultation but not breaking the relations with Kigali

"We have recalled our ambassador to Rwanda for consultations. Let me be categorical. We have not broken diplomatic relations with Rwanda," foreign ministry director general Ayanda Ntsaluba told the media.

The move is traditionally the strongest demonstration of official disapproval short of severing diplomatic relations, but Ntsaluba said Pretoria was in discussions with the Rwandan government.
"All of us are just trying to understand how we can work on our relations," he said.
Dissident Rwandan general Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa was shot and wounded on June 19. His wife has called the shooting an assassination attempt sparked by Nyamwasa's criticisms of President Paul Kagame.

Five men have been charged over the murder, but South African prosecutors have not revealed their nationalities, saying only that they were investigating if the men were in the country legally.

"The presence of some Rwandese people in South Africa has had an impact on those relations," Ntsaluba said of Pretoria's recent ties with Rwanda.

"We are not making any connection by recalling our ambassador between the government of Rwanda and the specific incident involving general Nyamwasa," he said. However he added: "Clearly the presence of the individuals here has raised the temperature."

The Rwandan foreign ministry summoned South Africa's ambassador Gladstone Dumisani Gwadiso last month to express its concern over the probe into the shooting of Nyamwasa. Rwanda has denied any role in the shooting.

South Africa has suggested foreign agents might have been involved in the shooting but did not say which country they were from.