Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been ‘recognised’ more than 20 times since 2003, David Himbara, has said.
In an ode posted on his Facebook page, Himbara, a former aide and personal friend of the President listed the 28 honours bestowed upon Kagame both internationally and locally in Rwanda.
The ode, ‘Kagame Crowned King Of Kings’ Himbara jokingly reminds the President, in power since 2000, about the recently passed Supreme Court judgment that criminalises drawing of the president’s cartoon.
It reads:
“Oh, King of Kings; Thou Shall Not Be Insulted By Your Peasant Subjects — 12 Millions Of Them In The Great Nation Of Rwanda.
Let No Outside Imbecile Touch Rwandan Soil If And When S/he Insults The King On Foreign Lands.
It is So Ordered that any Rwandan peasant who insults or defames you, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to a term imprisonment of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.”
He then adds the several awards won by President Kagame, whose government closed borders with Uganda citing injustices meted out on Rwandans by the government in Kampala.
“Behold Your Previous Awards — They are even more than Idi Amin’s, your role model,” Himbara, now in exile in Canada, writes.
December 2018 — You were the African of the Year.
November 2017 — World Tourism Award for visionary leadership on by World Travel Market, London.
March 2003 — Global Leadership Award by the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
April 2005 — Honorary Degree of Doctor Laws by the University of the Pacific in the United States.
September 2005 — The Andrew Young Medal for Capitalism and Social Progress by Georgia State University in the United States.
September 2005 — African National Achievement Award by the Africa-America Institute in the USA.
April 2006 — Honorary Doctorate by Oklahoma Christian University in the USA.
May 2006 and July 2007 — ICT Africa Award, for organizations and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in promoting the use of ICTs for the overall development of the African continent.
September 2006 — Top-10 reformer on the Ease of doing business index by the World Bank.
August 2007 — Hands Off Cain Award for his role in ending the death penalty in his country.
November 2007 — Honorary Degree of Doctor in Law by the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
December 2007 — African Gender Award in Dakar, Senegal for his role in promoting gender equality in Rwanda.
March 2009 — “The Distinction of the Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of Pioneers” by Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the highest honour in Liberia.
June 2009 — Kagame Children’s Champion Award by the US Fund for UNICEF for Promoting Children’s Rights.
September 2009 — International Peace Medal from Saddleback Church for his support and role in the P.E.A.C.E. plan.
September 2009 — Clinton Global Citizen Award in recognition of his leadership in public service that has improved the lives of people of Rwanda.
November 2009 — ’Most Innovative People Award for Economic Innovation’ at the Lebanon2020 Summit.
May 2010 — ‘Lifetime Leadership Award for Development and Equality’ by Rwandan Women in recognition of his efforts in developing the nation and promoting equality amongst Rwandans.
May 2010 — Rwanda Convention Association (RCA) Award of Excellence in recognition of his role in steering Rwanda towards a knowledge-based economy and promotion of the private sector.
5 June 2010 — ‘Energy Globe Award’ on the occasion of World Environment Day celebrated in Kinigi, Rwanda.
5 July 2010 — Rwanda International Network Association (RINA) for his continuous efforts in the promotion of Education.
27 September 2010 — British Magazine New Statesman included you on the list of “The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures 2010″ in 49th place.
19 November 2010 — “Grand Croix — Ordre de merit du Benin” the country’s highest national award. The decoration is awarded exclusively to personalities of the rank of Head of State in recognition of outstanding achievement or to express esteem.
June 2011 — Chello Foundation Humanitarian Award 2011 for his “outstanding leadership of the Republic of Rwanda since 1994″
September 2011 — International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded you with the 2010 IOC award for ‘Inspiring Young People’ around the world.
November 2011 — AERG (Association des Etudiants Rescapes du Genocide) awarded you “… in recognition of your efforts and courage to stop the Genocide as you led the Rwanda Patriotic Army.”
April 2012 — Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by William Penn University in the USA.
May 2013 — Oxford African Growth Award was awarded to you by Saïd Business School….
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