RPF-Inkotanyi presidential candidate Paul Kagame Wednesday rallied the residents of Musanze District of Northern Province to vote for him come August 4, pledging to sustain the country’s current development pace. 

Kagame was speaking from Busogo Ground where more than 200,000 voters turned up to listen to the incumbent President.

"I have a special pact with you,” Kagame said to a chorus of cheers.

He promised to extend electricity to more residents in the district and to continue promoting pro-poor growth interventions.

Shortly before his address, Kagame invited former Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, who hails from the district, to address the crowd. 

"We love you and when we say that we love you we mean it,” Habumuremyi said, as the crowd cheered on. "Musanze is RPF 100 per cent.”

Habumuremyi, who is an RPF commissioner, urged Musanze residents to turn up in large numbers on August 4 to vote for the RPF’s candidate. "I have worked with Paul Kagame and he’s an extraordinary person.”

He is also the Chairman of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations.

Kagame told the residents that the rally was initially scheduled yesterday but was postponed because his voice had gone hoarse. The incumbent President has so far covered more than half of the country’s 30 districts.

Musanze District is home to 379,510 residents spread across 15 districts. The area is home to the famous mountain gorillas.

After Musanze, the RPF candidate proceeded to neighbouring Nyabihu in Western Province, where he told thousands of supporters that "better days are ahead”. 

He said his policies are centered around people because they are the country’s greatest resource.  

 Later in the day, Kagame is expected to head to Rubavu District to address his third campaign rally of the day.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw