............Six years on: What do Rwandana think about Kagame?   THE business community in Kigali thinks President Paul Kagame is an exemplary, visionary and democratic leader. In a street survey conducted by George Kalisa, most respondents said Rwanda needs a leader of his charisma and they were optimistic that Rwanda would soon be Africa’s investment destination given her leadership and security. He brings you their views.   Betty Byukusenge, a law student at UNILAK University I love President Kagame for having ended the 1994 genocide. Our President has won many awards including the prestigious African Gender Award he got in recognition of his unequalled efforts to gender equality.  It is indeed no surprise that he was the only African leader among the first 20 recognised leaders in the world over last year. The six years of his leadership have also seen women being elevated to higher ranks in leadership. The Rwandan speaker of parliament is a woman and the Police is headed by a woman.   Mukri Mohammed Hussaid, marketing manager at Magasin Faruki on Commercial Street in Kigali Kagame’s six-year regime has made doing business in Rwanda easier.  When I came here nine years ago, there was a lot of corruption and some people were not paying taxes, but now everyone pays [taxes] and competition is healthy. The government has also reduced taxes by 5%-15% and registering companies is easier. Before President Kagame was elected, it would take too long to register a company but now it takes two to three days.   J. Baptiste Habineza, a taxi motorcyclist in Kigali City council Although not everything is perfect, President Kagame has improved the living standards of the Rwandan people. He deserves to be praised as a statesman and nationalist. I was very poor, but now I own a house and two motorcycles. One motorcycle brings in 5,000 Rwandese francs which I save daily. My message to fellow Rwandans is that President Kagame is a gift to Rwanda and we should keep praying that he continues to lead the country.   Wellington Karanya, a Kenyan and a Safaricom staff who opened shop on Posta Street two years ago Unlike many countries in the region, Rwanda no longer has security, governance and corruption problems. Rwanda is picking up at a high rate and it’s my prayer that President Kagame keeps up the spirit.    Hajati Hamida Umubyeyi, 60, works with Nila Textiles Ltd, on Commercial Street and a returnee from Burundi, where she was a refugee I desire to shake President Kagame’s hand to thank him for building a new Rwanda and sensitising us about unity, reconciliation, the value of hard work. Also, as the business community we are reaping the fruits of joining the East African Community; I get more customers than I used to six years ago – the Spaniards, Ugandans, Kenyans, French and Arabs. Kagame’s campaign for improved customer care has had great impact in the way I do business today.