RPF Inkotanyi campaigns end with confidence of win
THE RPF Inkotanyi Party ended its 20-day whirlwind campaigns around the country on Saturday, convinced of an emphatic win in Monday’s polls.
Thousands of supporters clad in party colours and relentlessly waving paper flags, thronged the closing rally at Bumbogo grounds in Gasabo district of Kigali City, their morale higher despite the scorching sun.
Party flag-bearer, Paul Kagame, accompanied by his family greeted thousands of supporters who braved the scorching sun and thanked them for turning up in such big numbers at his campaign rallies. He later took to a dance with them, tossing freebies and generally enjoying the thrill of the crowds.
In his address, Kagame said he was in the area to confer with them on the future of the country, how to achieve better living standards and their right to chose a leader of their choice as defined by democratic principles.
Kagame said Rwandans are rebuilding a new nation, premised on self-esteem and a better life for all, regardless of ethnic division or gender. He said Rwanda would soon earn its place in the world for its development gains.
Kagame has over the last few days confronted foreign critics and international media denouncing interference and their desire to define Rwanda’s democratic path.
“Democracy is not served like aid in trucks for the hungry. It is a choice of the majority. If someone gives you aid, they feel they can prescribe to you the kind of democracy they feel is fit for you…that is the struggle we are engaged in now,” he explained.
“Rwandans reject those who speak for us, making us lesser players in our own affairs. We embrace those who want to join us in development.”
President Kagame said the RPF has a clear political agenda and that the party and its leadership would never let the country down. “We speak on record that the RPF will never let this country down,” he said amidst deafening applause.
“We are not short of democracy, we are only seeking to develop our nation. Rwandans reject and will not be a nation of inferior people. We are rebuilding our country with self-esteem and making our own history, that is our responsibility,” he added.
“The Rwanda we are building is not just for Hutus, Tutsis or Batwa. It’s for all Rwandans. When we talk about issues that affect us, like education, security, justice for all, good governance, good living standards and food security, it’s for all…that’s what democracy is all about,” Kagame said.
He urged Rwandans to remain focused and work hard to develop their country by supporting and taking part in ICT programs, embrace new modern agricultural methods, education, infrastructure development and healthcare programs.
According to the electoral law, political campaigns end a day to the presidential elections and so Sunday remains a resting day ahead of the Monday polls. Over 5.3 million voters have been registered and are expected to cast their vote on Monday.
Kagame says good times lie ahead
RPF flag-bearer, Paul Kagame continued his campaign tour of the southern province near the border with Burundi yesterday, promising locals increased household incomes, terracing rugged hills and improving rural infrastructure.
Kagame addressed thousands of supporters sitting on hillsides at Nyagisozi in Nyaruguru district after another rally earlier in the day in Gisagara district. “Better times lie ahead…I can foresee your incomes flowing like water. We shall rebuild this country to standards that befit us (Rwandans) all,” he said. “We shall plant tress and protect our soils for cultivation so we can fill our homes with food,” he added as cheering supporters applauded him.
Kagame has promised electricity for all and pledged to increase basic education cover from nine to 12 years of primary and secondary education in earlier campaigns. He said the country was on good course and good times lie ahead as RPF under the leadership of President Kagame will multiply the current achievements by many folds. “You do not change a good driver. Rwandans know where they want to be, where they are now, where and how they want to get there,” he said. Kagame is campaigning on the theme of consolidating achievements and walking the talk, emphasizing that current achievements of the RPF government be increased for the socio-economic benefit of all citizens.
He introduced policies and programs that have drastically changed peoples’ livelihoods. Most of these policies are Rwanda’s home grown unique solutions that include Mutuelle de Santé, imihigo, ubudehe and Girinka, which have dramatically changed the lives of ordinary Rwandans. Kagame also scoffed at foreign-based elements who have chosen to simply tarnish the country’s image by disseminating propaganda that is politically motivated. “They know nothing about us…What Rwandans want is peace, security and development, based on modern farming methods, health, education and good living standards,” he asserted. On Thursday, the RPF candidate is expected to address other rallies in Rusizi and Nyamasheke in the Western province
Gichumbi Women Celebrate party achievements
Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) women committees drawn from all cells and sectors of Gicumbi District, on Saturday, celebrated their party's achievements. The party district women chairperson, Jolly Beatrice, said that the women representatives at all levels have contributed to stemming poverty and steer economic development among residents. "RPF women committees have been at the forefront to support the government's agriculture reform policies by sensitizing residents to grow Irish potatoes, beans and fruits, which are favourable to the district's climate," she said. She hailed the women for spearheading gender equality, practicing family planning and sensitizing residents to join health insurance schemes in large numbers. The district party chairman, Bonane Nyangezi, urged the women to garner more support for the party from the grass roots. He also encouraged the women committees to champion the war on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and eradicate the consumption of illegal alcoholic drinks in their respective localities. "RPF political manifesto calls for collective effort to ensure the well being of all Rwandans, through guaranteeing democracy, unity and development countrywide," said Nyangezi. The women RPF committees' general assembly was concluded with a get together party.
Also present were RPF women legislators Pelagie Mukantganzwa, Devota Uwamariya, Marie Teresa Murikatete and Northern Province party vice chairman, Mathias Rupia.
Source: The New Times
Kagame faces three challengers in Rwanda election
President Paul Kagame will face three challengers in Rwanda's August 9 presidential elections, the electoral commission has announced. Social Democratic Party candidate and Deputy Parliament Speaker Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, the Liberal Party's Prosper Higiro and Alvera Mukabaramba of the Progress and Harmony Party -- the only woman candidate - will challenge Kagame in the ballot. Kagame, who has led the Central African country since the end of the 1994 genocide, is the favourite to win the vote. Rights groups have accused Kagame of stifling any form of dissent in recent months, while the US blamed Rwandan authorities of taking "worrying" actions to restrict freedom of expression ahead of the president poll.
"They are the four [candidates] who were cleared because they fulfilled the legal requirements," said Charles Munyaneza, the electoral commission's secretary. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, who tried to register her party for the election, was briefly detained on charges of denying genocide and collaborating with a terrorist group. Another opposition candidate who intended to run for the top seat was arrested last month and charged with a terrorism offence, and his trial alongside nine co-accused is under way.
Source: SAPA
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