Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo

Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo (born 8 August 1961[1] ) is a Rwandan politician who was appointed Minister of Health in 2006, and was a candidate in the 2010 Rwandan presidential elections.

Ntawukuriryayo was born in Runyinya, Rwanda. He gained a degree in pharmacy and worked in academia, becoming Vice Rector of the National University of Rwanda. He was appointed as Minister of State in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research in 1999.[1] Later he was appointed Minister of Infrastructure.

Ntawukuriryayo became Minister of Health in 2006. During his tenure in that position, he expanded the social security system to cover over 80% of the population. In 2008 he was elected as Vice-President of the Rwandan National Assembly.[2]

As presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in 2010, Ntawukuriryayo promised to develop tourism, add value to products exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, fight soil erosion, improve banana yields and build roads.[3] His platform was much the same as that of the incumbent Paul Kagame, causing some to say he was a stooge for the president.[2] In the election, Kagame gained 93% of the vote and Ntawukuriryayo came second with 4.9%. Ntawukuriryayo hastened to congratulate President Kagame upon the latter's victory.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Fred Mwasa and Gaaki Kigambo (8 August 2010). "Ntawukuriryayo celebrates Birth-Day as campaigns go underground". Rwanda News Agency. http://www.rnanews.com/ele-2010/3987-ntawukuriryayo-celebrates-birth-day-as-campaigns-go-underground. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  2. ^ a b "Rwanda's presidential elections: Four candidates, but same old policies". France 24. 04/08/2010. http://www.france24.com/en/20100804-three-candidates-challenge-kagame-what-looks-like-presidential-election. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  3. ^ "Ntawukuriryayo promises to promote tourism". The New Times (Rwanda). http://www.newtimes.co.rw/print.php?issue=14335&print&article=31841. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  4. ^ Charles Kwizera (11 August 2010). "Dr. Ntawukuriryayo Congratulates Kagame". The New Times (Rwanda). http://allafrica.com/stories/201008120029.html. Retrieved 2010-08-13.