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As far as security is concerned, Kigali is actually a much safer and stable place than most African cities. Rwanda has tried to even export its security success to other areas. This is best reflected by the committed and disciplined members of the Rwanda Defence Forces who have been involved in peace keeping efforts in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.
Kigali as a city is now more famous for its remarkable cleanliness and social discipline order than anything else. Many people especially Africans who have a chance to visit and stay in Kigali are impressed by the progress the city has achieved in such a short period of time given the destruction it endured during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
Unlike most African cities, Kigali has superb roads with well-paved walkways as well as functioning streetlights. The road from the airport to the city centre is the best as it is lined with palm trees and neatly trimmed grass in the middle. Potholes seem alien to this place. The drainages are all in great order and so there are always no flooded areas heavy rains.
The cleanliness of Kigali can be attributed to two main things. One is the ban on the use of polythene bags which have proved to be a nuisance in many other African cities. The other is the regular countrywide communal cleaning exercises that are held every last Saturday of the month. On such days, every one gets involved in general cleaning which includes unblocking drainages, clearing bushes and sweeping of roads. During this exercise that is locally referred to as Umuganda, all shops and businesses are closed to ensure that every one participates. Even taxis are not supposed to operate when the exercise that starts in the morning until midday is still underway.
The drivers and motorcyclists in Kigali are some of the most disciplined you can ever come across. Drivers stick to their lanes while all the commercial motorcyclists wear helmets and uniforms. You cannot sit on a motorcycle if you are not ready to wear a helmet. And by the way the motorcycles carry only one passenger at a time.
Traffic rules are followed to the letter. This is largely because the city has a well trained and professional metropolitan police force. You can easily be slapped by a police officer as you try to bribe him/her! Corruption in the police force is almost unheard of. For those intending to drive through Kigali from neighbouring East African cities, be ready to follow rules while here.
The transport sector is well served with numerous buses and minibuses. These always stop at designated bus stops and also follow most traffic rules unlike their counterparts in Kampala, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
The major problem that foreigners may face while in Kigali is the fact that after eight o’clock in the evening it is quite difficult to get transport and other basic services. Kigali is a city that sleeps early and wakes up late. This is however bound to change soon. During the launching of the city’s centennial celebrations Kigali City Mayor, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira urged business people to work for longer hours so as to compete favourably with their contemporaries in the other East African Community countries.
Even after all the Chogm hype that has hit Kampala, Kigali still stands out as an excellently orderly city – typically ‘unAfrican’.
Being a multilingual place any of the following can do. Welcome to Kigali, Bienvennue, Karibuni or the native Murakaza Neza.
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