Why Rukumbura left Canada to vie for a seat in Parliament

For many, living in a country like Canada is an end in itself. Many Africans apply for green card every passing day just to get an escape route out of the so-called ‘dark continent’. But do not put John Rukumbura in the same bracket. For the RPF Inkotanyi candidate Number 27, serving the country of his birth is the ultimate life fulfilment. To get started in this dream, he is seeking in Parliament. And going by the performance of the coalition in the previous election, chances are high that Rukumbura will become a lawmaker, since the winning candidates are selected in ascending order from Number One. In the 2008 parliamentary elections, the RPF-led coalition took 42 seats. On Tuesday, Rukumbura, together with fellow candidates on the coalition ticket, campaigned in his home village of Kamegeri in Rwimiyaga Sector, Nyagatare District. “I travelled thousands of miles to Rwanda out of the great love for my country. I want to join Parliament so that I can serve the country I love most, in more a sound way,” he said. Rukumbura said the distance between him and his motherland had been a stumbling block to his political life. Closer to the people “I want to be closer to the people. Vote for RPF and send me to Parliament and you will not regret the decision because you have already witnessed what the RPF has done; vote for continued progress,” he said. Emmanuel Munana said they were overwhelmed by the Rukumbura’s decision to return to the remote village to participate in the primaries. “Realistically, this man (Rukumbura) should have forgotten about the village. That he still thinks of building our village is unbelievable. We have so many people who left and never think about coming back,” Munana said.

National

Why Rukumbura left Canada to vie for a seat in Parliament