Rwanda President Paul Kagame has cited witchcraft among the reasons he does not watch local football matches.
The Rwanda leader, during the national dialogue “Umushyikirano” in Kigali on Wednesday, stated that local football had been marred by witchcraft and corruption.
Kagame, who attended his last football game in 2016, noted that he will attend the tournaments again only if they are free from the vices.
“The reason I stopped watching football games was partly because of corruption and witchcraft in tournaments. I can’t be part of that because it is primitive. Once it changes, I will frequent them again,” Kagame said as quoted by The New Times publication.
In August 2023, Kagame had critised those ruining local football games through engaging in witchcraft and corruption. He said such actions will be detrimental to the country’s progress, especially in sports.
“Witchcraft is primitive. You should not accept it. If they go to competitions with only this in mind, that’s why they always come back with failure. You must only be absolutely foolish because if you tried something so many times and it doesn’t work, why do you keep repeating it and make it a habit?” he noted then.
During the Umushyikirano, Amavubi assistant coach Jimmy Mulisa urged the Head of State to reconsider his decision.
“I remember back in the days, you used to come and support us. Some might know that Rwanda recently beat South Africa and we are going to a very nice stadium, we would like to see you back,” Mulisa said.