KAMPALA - Thousands of Rwandans living in Uganda yesterday thronged the Rwanda High Commission in Kampala to cast their votes for the Presidential candidate of their choice.

Long queues of voters defined the day, as many Rwandans from several parts of Uganda reached the polling station as early as 6:30am to participate in the exercise.

Daring a scorching sun, the voters each patiently waited for their turn as election officials, headed by the High Commission’s First Counsellor, Dan Mutezintare, ensured a smooth running of the exercise.

"Everything, ranging from registration and giving out ballot papers is in order and no irregularities so far. The whole process is peaceful and calm.” Dr. Davis Kashaka Karegeya, an observer in the exercise said.

For Dr. Canisius Kanangire, a Rwandan living in Uganda, the huge turn up and calm exhibited by the voters, was a testimony enough of the high degree of democracy Rwanda is enjoying.   

"My wish as a Rwandan is to contribute and participate in this exercise,” he said.
Frank Gashumba, a Kampala businessman, said that his only wish is to see Rwanda continuing with the development agenda it is on, and that he can only do this by casting his vote for a candidate of his choice.

Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage, said that the votes would be tallied at 4pm today, and thereafter the figures will be sent to the National Electoral Commission which will, as required by law, declare the final result.

Meanwhile, Rwandans in other parts of the region also participated actively in the exercise yesterday.

Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Fatuma Ngangiza, told The New Times that over 1,000 voters turned up in Dar es Salaam while others voted from Tanzania’s northern town of Arusha.

An official working with Rwanda’s High Commission in Kenya said that the elections were held peacefully at the High Commission, and at another polling station in Mombasa, Kenya.

"The turn-up was overwhelming, we had about 1,500 voters participating in the exercise,” said the official, who preferred not to be named.

Rwandans in the Diaspora were allowed to cast their vote a day earlier to ensure that they go about their business today when the process takes place in the country.

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