Africa

Rwanda's election race intensifies as Kagame hits Eastern Province

Paul Kagame of the RPF-Inkotanyi took his campaign to Kirehe District. (Handout)

By Amina Wako | Tuesday, July 2, 2024

The other two presidential contenders, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, also continued their campaigns on Tuesday.

Presidential and parliamentary campaigns in Rwanda continued into the 11th day on Tuesday, July 2 as Paul Kagame, the flagbearer of the RPF-Inkotanyi took his campaign to Kirehe District in the Eastern Province.

This marks Kagame's first stop in the Eastern Province since he launched his campaign on June 22. The incumbent President, who is seeking re-election on July 15, has previously campaigned in the Northern, Western, and Southern provinces, as well as in Kigali.

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The other two presidential contenders, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, also continued their campaigns on Tuesday.

Habineza focused his efforts on Nyabihu and Rubavu in the Western Province, while Mpayimana aimed to attract voters in Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe in the Southern Province.

Both candidates have campaigned extensively across the Southern, Northern, and Western provinces, articulating their visions and manifestos to the electorate.

Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party. (Handout)

In addition to the presidential race, other political parties seeking seats in Parliament were active across the country.

The Liberal Party (PL), which endorsed the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) candidate Paul Kagame campaigned in the Eastern and Southern provinces as well as in Kigali.

It took its campaign to Rusizi and Karongi in the Western Province to rally support for its 54 parliamentary candidates.

Meanwhile, the Green Party extended its campaign for its 50 parliamentary candidates to Nyabihu and Rubavu.

Parliamentary candidates representing people with disabilities also launched their campaigns in Kigali on Tuesday.

Other parties, including the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), and PS Imberakuri, paused their campaigns and are set to resume on Wednesday.

The campaign period will conclude on July 13, with Rwandans heading to the polls on July 15 to elect the President and Members of Parliament.