Another Big Launch — Or Another Big Letdown?

On May 19, 2025, Kagame’s government unveiled “Made-in-Rwanda” firearms at the ISCA summit, shiny pistols and rifles built with Israeli support. But with so many past projects collapsing under hype, many are asking: Will this gun factory be any different?

In this article, we break down a full list of failed or fishy projects launched under Paul Kagame, from Vision 2020 to Mara Phone, and why this latest weapons push might just be another mirage in uniform.

1. Vision 2020

🎯 Goal: Transform Rwanda into a middle-income country by 2020.

❌ Reality: Most targets were missed. Poverty is still high, industrialization is low, and income levels lag behind.

📉 Status: In 2025, Rwanda remains classified as a low-income country by the World Bank.

2. Mara Phone (Africa’s “First” Smartphone Factory)

📍 Launched in 2019 with global headlines as a Made-in-Africa breakthrough.

❌ By 2022, operations had stopped, no demand, no sustainability.🇷🇼 The smartphones were too expensive for Rwandans.📉 The factory is now more of a museum piece than a tech hub.

3. OneWeb Satellite Internet Deal

🌐 A major investment to give Rwanda satellite internet using the UK-based OneWeb.

❌ OneWeb went bankrupt in 2020.

💸 Rwanda’s investment? Gone. Still no satellite internet for the people.

4. Kigali Innovation City

🏢 Marketed as “Africa’s Silicon Valley” to attract top tech talent and investors.

❌ Years later, the land remains mostly undeveloped.

😶‍🌫️ It's more of a fancy dream than an actual tech hub.

5. $40 Million Arsenal Sponsorship

⚽ Kagame inked a flashy deal to promote “Visit Rwanda” on Arsenal jerseys.

❌ Meanwhile, the average Rwandan struggles to afford daily food.

💔 Critics say it’s tourism for the West while locals are ignored.

6. Volkswagen Assembly Plant

🚗 Inaugurated in 2018 to kickstart Rwanda’s car manufacturing.

❌ Production remains limited. Rwandans can’t afford the vehicles.

📉 The plant failed to create a meaningful local industry impact.

7. Isaka – Kigali Railway

🚄 Promised during Kagame’s 2017 campaign as a major regional trade boost.

❌ In 2025, not a single rail has been laid.

💤 Still stuck in studies, reports, and cross-border delays.

8. Made-in-Rwanda Firearms (2025 Launch)

🔫 Just unveiled at the ISCA Summit with sleek promo and Israeli partners.

🕵🏾‍♂️ Many fear it’s another PR move to distract from internal repression.

💭 Will this benefit the people or fuel Kagame’s militarized grip on power?

🤔 PATTERN OR COINCIDENCE?

From tech factories to satellites, luxury sponsorships to empty smart cities, Kagame’s leadership keeps selling grand dreams while the majority of Rwandans see no real change.

The latest gun factory adds to a long list of projects that look good on paper but leave more questions than results.