Many in Rwanda have known no leader other than Paul Kagame since the end of the 1994 genocide.

He led the Uganda-based Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which defeated the authorities who orchestrated the mass killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

In the wake of the genocide and civil war, Pasteur Bizimungu became president, with Kagame as both vice president and defense minister.

In 2000, Kagame took over as president. In 2024, he won over 99.1% of the vote and extended his grip on power in Rwanda by five more years.

His reelection comes as no surprise. Rwanda has no real official opposition.

Years ago, the now 66-year-old leader had set the stage to lead the country until 2034 by scrapping presidential term limits.

At one point, Kagame signaled he would quit, but shortly before the July 15 vote, he defended his hold on power.

"At a personal level, I can comfortably go home and rest," Kagame said. "The ruling party and Rwandans have been asking me to stand for another mandate."

Kigali resident Rachid Bugirimfura supports him, "Kagame had a lot right from stopping the genocide, fostered the unity of all Rwandans because many had written off the country after the genocide."

Journalist Charles Ndushabandi does as well: "He has achieved a lot if you are to see where he found the country and where the country is in terms of security. Infrastructure-wise, the roads are done."

"There is security which some of the people don't realize. It's a big achievement people can walk late in the night. He has achieved so much in security," Ndushabandi added..

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