As he arrived at the first rally in Gasiza at exactly about mid-day, the waiting crowd erupted into applause with cheers of FPR oye, tuzagutora (“We will vote for you”).
Clad in a white RPF T-shirt, Kagame toured the venue and waved to the crowd of fans estimated in hundred as they waved small RPF flags. They started swarming the rally venue in the morning hours. “I tracked over 10 kilometers just to be with my candidate,” one fan observed with visible joy.
An ex-FAR soldier testified how his life has been transformed after being integrated from ex-FAR into the RDF. He would later be demobilised into the community where he is s local leader and a businessman.
“You personally offered me a cow and bicycle because of the leading role I played in mobilising members of my local community,” the ex-soldier narrated.
“I now own 8500 hens and many goats,” he said, and told the RPF candidate that he has continued to use the knowledge he acquired to support others to improve poultry farming.
The ex-soldier also has a biogaz project using chicken waste.
As the singing, dancing and chanting resumed later, the President joined crowds amid wild cheers from the thousands in attendance, according to our reporter.
He was described by the event manager as an achiever and hard worker who already has a record for fulfilling what he promises.
A former student of Kigali Institute of Technology said that because of the government policy to promote science and technology, he studied and managed to get employed upon graduation.
The other candidates are also on their campaign trail. The PSD candidate Dr. Ntawukuriryayo Jean Damascene continued his campaign in Southern Rwanda, Ngororero district.
PPC’s Alvera Mukabaramba will be in Kamonyi and Muhanga, both just south of Kigali.
PL’s Prosper Higiro is rallying the people of Rulindo and Gicumbi – both in north.