The Rwanda Patriotic Front takes its flag-bearer Paul Kagame to Rambura in Nyabuhu district – the birth place and home area of former President Juvenal Habyarimana. There are no visible signs of the Habyarimana era present at this area, and Mr. Kagame is expected to attract as many supporters as has been through the past days.
For the afternoon, the RPF is expected to bring Gisenyi to a stand-still as its candidate holds another rally at Nyundo in Rubavu – bordering DR Congo. President Kagame was in this same area about two months ago – where he forced the mayor to resign, blaming him for the dirty border town. The mood in the general public was of relief over the sacking as people felt the President was in constant touch with the ground.
The Liberal Party (PL) goes to Nyagatare district (Eastern province) with a rally at Rwimiyaga. It is unlikely that PL candidate Prosper Higiro has any support in this area because it is RPF territory.
Before 1994, Nyagarate town was almost non-existent, but with a large part of the country’s elite establishing there in the east, development in the area has been fast. The area even now has university.
For the afternoon, PL moves its flag-bearer to Gatsibo district (same province) – with a planned rally at Kiramuruzi. Like Nyagatare, Gatsibo can be considered ruling party stronghold.
The country’s second biggest party, Social Democratic Party (PSD), will be in deep rural south in Nyaruguru district – bordering Burundi. Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo has a rally at Ndago.
Nyaruguru has been in the news over the past years as a place which has changed leadership more than any other in the country. Mayors there barely spend a year in office. Nyaruguru is incidentally the only place which has been food insecure among the 30 districts, but recent reports suggest things have changes following massive government intervention. People in this same area are always fleeing to Burundi – and at times forced back.
In the late afternoon, Ntawukuriryayo goes to neighbouring Gisagara district – another very rural area. The PSD candidate will hold a rally at the district’s only public grounds – where most of the major activities are often held.
The only female candidates Alvera Mukabarama takes her campaign messages to is also in Kigali, Gasabo district but her campaign stops have largely been small. Some have attracted as few as 100 people.