Enthusiam is what supporters of RPF-Inkotanyi in Kigali’s Nyarugenge District showed as they launched the party’s campaigns in Nyarugenge District on Tuesday.

Hundreds of supporters converged at Camp Kigali Stadium and chanted some of the party’s favourite songs citing its track record of improving the economic situation, freedom, and dignity of Rwandans.

"RPF is strong. We are here to show that strength and our confidence that we will win,” said the master of ceremonies for the day.

Supporters praised the party for extending vital services to the people.

Then it was the turn of some of RPF’s parliamentary candidates to introduce themselves to the audience and lay out their manifesto.

Agenda with many solutions  

Most of their pledges touted the party’s promises about continuing to develop the country’s economy through good governance, an effective justice system, affordable education, modern agriculture, accessible healthcare, industrialisation, and infrastructure development, among others.

Candidate Edouard Bamporiki, an outspoken poet and filmmaker who is more known for his reconciliation campaign based on open dialogue, RPF’s manifesto would deliver a bright future for the country.

"If there is anyone who has ever wanted to achieve their dreams and could not do so, vote for RPF,” Bamporiki said.

In the last Parliament, the RPF coalition had 42 seats out of the 53 openly contested seats. 

The party’s coalition partners include the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), Parti Socialiste Rwandais (PSR), Parti du Progrès et la Concorde (PPC) and Centrist Democratic Party (PDC).

PDI’s Carine Umwari who is No. 53 on the list of hopefuls appealed to voters to choose RPF in order to keep the country on the right track. 

"Vote for RPF so it can keep developing us (Rwandans),” she said.

Some of the voters living in Nyarugenge District suggested that the candidates should consider making education entirely free for the poor and reduce property taxes for some of the poor landlords in the city.

Maruwani Harerimana pleaded with RPF to convince the city to reduce property taxes.

"Land issues are paramount. Why would government impose a property tax that we didn’t agree on?” he wondered. "We should have our rights on our property respected.”

Elections for the 53 openly contested parliamentary seats are scheduled for September 16, while those for representatives of the youth (two seats) and the disabled (one) will be  held on September 17, and women (24) on September 18.