Kagame’s campaign rallies through the lens…as culture, dance and smiles take centre stage

Rwandans head to the polls to pick their next president and members of the Lower House next week, with campaigns officially closing Saturday, July 13. Rwanda Patriotic Front’s flagbearer, Paul Kagame, the incumbent president, is expected to ease to another landslide victory, his rallies having attracted the largest crowds, by far, across the country. Kagame’s candidacy is also backed by eight other political parties and their leaders have most of the time joined him on the campaign trail. The 66-year-old is up against Green Party’s Frank Habineza and independent candidate Phillipe Mpayimana, none of whom managed to collect 1 per cent the last time they faced him in 2017. On the campaign trail, Kagame and RPF’s supporters have come out strongly, in their hundreds of thousands, to show their support, with rallies turning out to be massive celebrations and a showcase of Rwanda’s rich culture and traditions, including dance, clothing, revered cultural objects, among others. With Kagame-mania once again sweeping through the country during this election season, his rallies have been defined by vibrancy, fashion creativity, and colour, serving more as avenues to celebrate Kagame and Rwanda’s gains over the years, as opposed to soliciting for votes. The New Times’ photojournalists Olivier Mugwiza and Dan Gatsinzi have been on the campaign trail with the clear frontrunner and his RPF parliamentary campaign teams, and we bring you key moments in more than 150 pictures captured over the last three weeks.

In Pictures

Kagame’s campaign rallies through the lens…as culture, dance and smiles take centre stage