Burera district residents have called for the lifting of presidential term limits saying they still need more of Paul Kagame to lead them.
Over 2000 Burera residents on Wednesday gathered to discuss with legislators on possibilities of amending the constitutional provision (article 101) on presidential term limits.
Most residents heaped praise on Kagame’s leadership that has eliminated ethnic divisionism and improved performance of the country’s economy.
“Historically, we were not considered equal to the rest of the Rwandans. We lived in Kraals while others stayed in good houses,” said one of the historically marginalized people, known as Abatwa in ancient Rwanda.
“I credit Kagame for putting us in descent residential places, we can now sleep well, like the rest of the Rwandans,” he added.
The country’s legislators are currently conducting a nationwide consultation with citizens to identify what exactly they need.
The consultations follow 4million signed petitions from across the country submitted to parliament seeking amendment of the constitution.
Upon receipt of the petitions, parliament convened and unanimously agreed to first conduct countrywide consultations with citizens for a period of three weeks.
A report will be made and submitted to the august house to pave way for next process in amendment of the constitution.
Mr. Paul Kagame is currently winding-up his second and last term as president and subject to the constitutional provision, he is not eligible to seek re-election.
However, the four million citizens through signed petitions are pressing the country’s legislature to consider amending the provision of term limits.
They desire to have Kagame to extend his rule endlessly.
One of the Burera district residents told legislators that President Kagame is like “a mothers breast milk needed for our continued survival.”
Philomene Mukamurara, resident in Burera, through a poem expressed concern over Kagame’s possible retirement yet his children (the Rwandans) were still at a vulnerable stage where breast milk is necessary.
Burera residents credited Kagame’s leadership for infrastructure developments including; electricity coverage, access to clean water and hospitals.
He is also credited for success in promotion of gender equality and hygiene in homes.