The Day I listened to a Dictator

Today was the 40th anniversary of USIU. So naturally classes were cancelled and a big event was put on. This event in particular was revolving around The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. Hmmm.... kenyans love him. However those of us from the US not so much. The ceremony began a little late (African time) but we were entertained with various songs from the USIU choir. Then a speech was made by the vice chancellor of UISU, an american woman named Freida Brown. She began her speech by messing up! Calling Paul Kagame the president of Kenya.. did I mention that Freida is an american woman from Atlanta. She also apparently was also accused of plagarism last year, but the students here love her! Her speech was very spunky and personable but had various errors. After here there was an adorable poem performed, then another speech and then a play. The play was a contrast between traditional africa and christian africa where two brothers fight over money that they won. It was a cute play as well. Then Dr. Richard Leakey made a speech I was actually most impressed with him. First of all I was extremely excited to see him... but second of all the man is old and looks old but does not sound old by his voice at all. Last there was a rwandan dance performed before Kagame spoke. Kagame is someone that does NOT have the appearance of a dictator, he is a tall but skinny fellow. That has glasses and a tiny mustache. His speech was the usual, fairly articulate but extremely slow (he was speaking in english) and didn't really say anything new. After his speech there was a Q&A session in which he is called his excellency the president of the republic of Rwanda. The questions i was actually quite impressed with but kagame's answers i was not. He skirted around them in the most obvious ways. Well here are my pictures!

President Kagame speaking.

The Rwandan dance
Dr. Richard Leakey speaking
Freida Brown
Kagame, a lady who's name i cannot remember and Dr. Richard Leakey