DAY NINE: Kagame heads to troubled Nyaruguru, Gisagara

Nyaruguru and Gisagara districts – are both bordering Burundi. For the past years, the two have been in the news as hundreds of people repeatedly cross over to Burundi – reportedly running away from persecution in Rwanda.

The latest cases were late last year when some 400 fled Southern Rwanda into Burundi, but would later be forced back. Rwanda said they some were running away from the Gacaca courts and several other minor reasons.

The same two districts have been subject to massive government intervention following years of low food production. Government figures indicate that Nyaruguru still remains the only district – among 30, which is food insecure.

Due to the fact that they are largely rural districts, the infrastructure such as roads heading there are impassable during some times of year. Like the President has been promising roads in others places he has been on the campaign trail, the people of the two places will be expecting him to make such an announcement.

Over the past years, the two districts have seen constant instability with their local leadership, as they barely spend a year or two – at most. However, it emerged recently during the IMIHIGO signing between the President and the districts that Nyaruguru and Gisagara are among the top performing.

The PPC candidate Alvera Mukabaramba will be continuing her campaign in the north. On Wednesday, she will be in Gicumbi district – in Bukure sector.

As for the PL flag-bearer, Prosper Higiro, he will be in Bugesera (just east of Kigali) – another drought stricken place which has had trouble with its food supply for years. A massive African Development Bank funded irrigation plan is under way in the area. 

In 2003, President Kagame promised a road from Kigali to Bugesera district, and he delivered one which some say is the best roads in the country, and soon there is going to be an airport.

Higiro will also move his campaign to Kicukiro district – here in Kigali.

The PSD candidate Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo will be in border Rubavu district – where incumbent Kagame was promised 100% votes – written clearly on a hill overlooking the city. Ntawukuriryayo will later be in Nyabihu – another rural district.