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President William Ruto is set to fly to Rwanda to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame on Sunday, August 11, 2024.

Ruto is among over 20 heads of state expected to grace the swearing in ceremony of Kagame, who has been in power since 2000.

Among African leaders who have already arrived include Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea Bissau, and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe.

Others include Gen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of Gabon, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire, Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea, Patrice Trovoada, Prime Minister of Sao Tome & Principe, and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces.

Kagame was re-elected after a landslide victory in July, winning  99.18 per cent of the vote. The 66-year-old has been the President of Rwanda since April 2000. 

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Amahoro Stadium whose doors are expected to be opened in the wee hours of Sunday, at around 6:00 am, to allow for the arrival of people from all parts of the country. 

Events of the inauguration

The oath will be administered by Rwanda’s Chief Justice Faustin Nteziryayo after which Kagame will give an inaugural address.

The president will then receive the symbolic instruments of power from the Chief Justice including a copy of the constitution, the national flag and the coat of arms.

He will also receive a shield and sword which are symbols of national defence, from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff General Mubarakh Muganga, a signal that he has started the five-year term as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Kagame will also inspect a guard of honour which is expected to be preceded by the national anthem.