All set for Rwanda Day in London, UK

About 3000 people are expected to attend the Rwanda Day event scheduled for May 18 in London, United Kingdom, organisers have confirmed.President Paul Kagame is expected to grace the event.According to Ignatius Mugabo, one of the organisers, preparations are in high gear and Rwandans living in the UK and Europe at large have registered in high numbers.Rwanda Day is a periodical event that is held in different countries around the world and brings together Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to reaffirm their core national value, celebrate the country’s progress and discuss ways they can best be part of Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation.“Our community is very excited and eager to welcome the President and his delegation. We have reached out to members of Rwandan Diaspora in neighbouring countries such as Belgium, France, The Netherlands and the Scandinavia, as well as friends of Rwanda,” Mugabo told The New Times. The highlights of the event include a business exhibition and networking, an address by President Kagame, which will be followed by a question and answer session, entertainment and social interaction.“This event is generally aimed at giving a rare opportunity to members of Rwandan Diaspora to interact directly with the Head of State and discuss matters that affect them, and get updates on the country’s progress. It is also aimed at encouraging members of the Rwandan Diaspora to partake in the country’s development process,” Mugabo explained.In an email to The New Times, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Williams Nkurunziza, also said there was excitement among the Rwandan community in the UK about the opportunity to host this year’s Rwanda Day.“Across the whole country, preparations are in full swing, driven by community leaders in 12 cities with major concentrations of Rwandan communities. The London edition of Rwanda Day has also attracted significant interest from mainland Europe,” said Nkurunziza.He added that they were optimistic of “a great event in which the President will meet and interact with the Rwandan community abroad.”A similar event was held in the United States last year and attended by thousands of Rwandans from across the United States.The Boston event was also graced by the President.During the London Rwanda Day, an interactive panel with young professionals and entrepreneurs from Rwanda and abroad will discuss the country’s development goals, business environment and opportunities available “for those wanting to be part of a country on the move.”An exhibition featuring Rwandan banks and real estate businesses will provide the chance for Rwandans living abroad to learn about financial services, including sending back remittances, and investing in the property market. A selection of companies showcasing Rwandan products will also attend.UK embassy overwhelmed by visa applicationMeanwhile, the British High Commission in Kigali was last week forced to increase its working hours when hundreds of Rwandans stormed its bases in search for visas to attend the Rwanda Day.The UK Deputy High Commissioner, Sharon Wilkins, told The New Times that the system at the embassy was overwhelmed by the applications and that more staff was recruited to handle the visa applications that flooded in.“We got five more staff to handle the visa applications, increased working hours and also decided to work on Saturday which we never do,” Wilkins said.“It normally takes two weeks to acquire a visa after it has been approved from our superiors in Kenya, but this time it will take a few days. This has been a challenge for us but it shows love that Rwandans have for their country.”Those interested to travel for Rwanda Day were expected to hand in their visa applications by last Saturday before 2pm in order to ease visa processing.“Rwanda Day in London comes only days after Rwanda’s successful issuance of the Eurobond – just one aspect of a national development strategy grounded in the understanding that business and investment is key to sustaining the economic progress needed for Rwandans to reach prosperity and fully realise their Agaciro (dignity),” a statement from the Rwandan High Commission in UK reads.Zulfat Mukarubega, the proprietor of Rwanda Tourism College, is one of those who have been attending the Rwanda Day events, and she expressed delight at having another chance to meet the Diaspora to share views.“I have come to the UK commission twice in search for a visa and I will not stop until I get one because I cannot miss this important day,” she told The New Times last week as she lined up with the rest who had waited since morning for their chance.“As a business person I am totally delighted because I will get to meet the Rwandan business community in the Diaspora and share ideas. As a Rwandan, I am always interested in the development of national values.”Similar events were held in Boston, Chicago, Paris and Brussels.

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All set for Rwanda Day in London, UK