It was total excitement for residents of Ruhango and Nyanza districts as President Paul Kagame, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) flag bearer, kick-started his campaign in the Southern Province yesterday.

Supporters were not just happy to see their candidate but also because they had a chance to be entertained by some of their favourite musicians, who performed at the two events.

Traditional singer Massamba Intore, Afrobeat singer Kitoko Bibarwa, Dream Boys, Senderi Hits, Christopher and Intore Tuyisenge performed before thousands of Nyanza residents just before the president addressed them.

Kitoko made his first appearance after four years living abroad.

There were, therefore, many reasons for Nyanza residents to be excited.

All the previous Primus Guma Guma winners had earlier performed in Ruhango District where the candidate made his first stop. This was, however, more than just about entertaining the people.

Legendary traditional singer Massamba said that it was not just entertaining people, but rather showing them what the country had achieved under the leadership of RPF-Inkotanyi.

"Paul Kagame is the most appropriate candidate to preside over this country. We have a hundred reasons to believe in him, not only as people in the music industry but also as citizens of this country. We have seen and lived the benefits of his leadership,” said Massamba Intore.

Senderi Hits, who said he has been a diehard fan of Paul Kagame since 2003, told Saturday Times that his joining the RPF campaign trail was not an accident.

"Look at our music industry and compare it with five or 10 years ago. There’s, honestly, remarkable gains registered. This is because we have a leadership that believes in all its citizens irrespective of the sector they operate in,” he said.

He noted that the these rallies will also be an opportunity for musicians to remind the people of Rwanda the need to continuously support the local music industry and the entire creative industry.

Senderi, like other fellow artistes, is optimistic that giving another term to Kagame will mean taking their industry to a much better level.

Kagame promised artistes during a recent gathering of artists, sportsmen and media personalities that his government would facilitate the industry players through establishment of more open spaces for events.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw