Thousands of residents of Northern Province on Saturday, June 22, gathered at University of Rwanda’s campus in Busogo, Musanze District, to receive and hear from President Paul Kagame, the presidential candidate of RPF-Inkotanyi and allied parties. ALSO READ: Rwanda Decides: RPF to launch campaigns in Musanze Attending residents are from Musanze, Burera, Gicumbi, Nyabihu, and Rulindo districts. The crowd started gathering in the wee hours as they made their way to the campaign site. This marks the beginning of a three-week campaign trail as the RPF-led coalition of eight parties moves across 19 venues in the country to canvass for votes in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. The RPF Chairman and flagbearer in the elections is set to unveil the party’s manifesto to the country, starting with the crowd at the site in Musanze. ALSO READ: Hundreds of candidates hit campaign trail as Rwanda gears up for general elections The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has set July 14-15 as voting dates for all Rwandans to pick the next Head of State and members of the Chamber of Deputies, the country's lower house of parliament. Six parties of the coalition have submitted their own candidates for the 80 parliamentary seats, the majority of whom are RPF members. ALSO READ: Rwanda Decides: Kagame reflects on past landslide victories Jeanne Mujawamariya, a 35-year-old resident of Musanze District, cheerfully told The New Times that she did everything possible to be at the site as early as possible not only to show support as a member of the party but also to hear more promises of development in the coming years. She said: “We have seen significant improvement in our livelihoods over the past years. Our children are no longer malnourished, we have schools, access to healthcare, and some of the roads were built. We are here to support and listen to what more he [Kagame] will deliver for us.” Reiterating some of the development achievements such as improved roads that connect the different parts of Northern Province that facilitated many activities, Callixte Hitimana, a 46-year-old resident of Rulindo District, said that “the people are here to decide” who will usher them into an even “brighter” era of the country’s development. Hitimana said that everyone has a role to play. ALSO READ: Rwanda Decides: What presidential candidates say Under the current constitution that transitioned from a seven-year to a five-year presidency cycle, Kagame is competing with two challengers; Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.
