Kayonza District residents have overwhelmingly articulated their support for the RPF-coalition ahead of the general elections scheduled for July 15. This was observed as RPF parliamentary candidates on Tuesday, June 25, wrapped up a campaign rally in Kayonza’s Rwinkwavu sector which was attended by more than 40,000 residents. It was RPF’s second stop of its parliamentary campaign trail. ALSO READ:Thousands descend on Kayonza for RPF campaign rally Rwandans will go to the polls from July 14-15 to pick the next Head of State and members of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house. It will be the first time the country holds presidential and parliamentary elections at the same time, following the revision of the constitution to allow for synchronized elections. Incumbent President Paul Kagame is the RPF flagbearer for the presidential ticket. He has two opponents; lawmaker Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, and independent candidate Philip Mpayimana. ALSO READ: Hundreds of candidates hit campaign trail as Rwanda gears up for general elections For Etienne Rutagambwa, 44, a Rwinkwavu resident, the ruling RPF party has defined who a Rwandan is. Rutagambwa who suffers from epilepsy, a brain disease with no cure, is a happy man especially because he believes that the support and treatment he has got, enabling him to continue leading a normal life was due to the good governance in the country, under RPF’s leadership. He told The New Times: “Today, I have full medical insurance at Rwinkavu Hospital, and because of that my illness which I had since I was a young boy, 13 years old, is easing.” Through the Girinka program, Rutagambwa says he was given a cow and has been able to relatively take care of his health especially having milk and saving for commercial purposes. “I am optimistic that I can now get a decent home to stay and that is why I am here to show my support to the RPF family, particularly Chairman Paul Kagame. Giving my support to the members of parliament also means cementing our support for the RPF presidential candidate, because they work together.” Esperance Musabyimana, 45, takes prides in supporting RPF because, she argued, the party has ensured a foundation of unity where every Rwandan can benefit. The mother of six said: “We, as women, are empowered and that makes me more than proud. As women, especially, we are no longer isolated. We are confident in what we do and also do it with pride.” Musabyimana said that four of her children go to school in Kayonza, despite her failing to get a right to education as a child. “Some years ago, I lived in a grass thatched house but today I live in a relatively decent house thanks to RPF and its vision.” Sophia Mukayakaremye, 55, a resident of Kabarondo, said that Rwandan women are thankful to the RPF for giving them their rights. Under the Vision Umurenge Program (VUP) financial services, she earns at least Rwf15,000 every two weeks. “I consider the RPF Chairman (Paul Kagame) as a father and a mentor who has changed our lives for good. I can't wait to vote for RPF,” she said. “We are no longer mistreated nor beaten. We command a level of respect as Rwandan women. That is who we are and thanks to RPF and its chairman for making our rights and welfare priority.” Going forward, she said, “I want a house where I can stay with my family. A well-maintained house.” ALSO READ: Former Malawian President Joyce Banda on how Kagame inspired her For Theophile Nikwigiza, 46, who comes from Rwinkwavu, Rwanda continues to attract noteworthy investments, particularly in Kayonza District, and this directly benefits children in the area. He shared an example of “Shooting Touch” an international sport-for-development organization working in Boston (US) and Rwanda, with a mission to use the mobilizing power of basketball to bridge health and opportunity gaps for youth and women facing racial, gender, and economic inequalities. He said: “My son is a beneficiary of this initiative. He plays basketball in Kayonza and that shows you the kind of country we are living in. RPF has opened doors for us as parents and our children at the same time.” The father of eight however called for more electricity access in Kayonza, noting that a number of homes there are still not connected to electricity. “I am very ready to cast my vote for RPF and this is because I know that they care for me and the entire country. I would like to have electricity connected to my home. I have a decent house with no electricity.” ALSO READ: Govt issues reforms to eradicate malpractices in “Girinka” programme As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context. The result is a set of home-grown solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programmes including the Girinka programme also known as the one cow per poor family programme.
