Sen. Mukabaramba joins Presidential race

KIGALI - Senator Dr Alvera Mukabaramba yesterday announced her intentions of vying for the country’s top office after she tendered in her candidature to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). Mukabaramba, will be standing on the Party of Progress and Concord (PPC) ticket in the polls slated for August 9.Accompanied by top PPC party members, Mukabaramba arrived at the NEC head offices in Kimihurura at around 4 pm where she was received by the NEC chairman, Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa. “I thank my party for fronting me to be their presidential candidate,” she told the press after submitting her documents. “My party chose me as woman capable of standing for the presidency which shows the consideration our country gives to women”. She becomes the fourth candidate to officially join the race following President Paul Kagame, Liberal Party’s Prosper Higiro and Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Regarding her manifesto, the Presidential aspirant said; “I will unveil my manifesto after NEC approves my candidature”. The electoral commission is expected to announce a full list of presidential candidates on July 7 while campaigns will start on July 20. In 2003, Mukabaramba contested as the first woman for the presidency but withdrew on the eve of the elections and endorsed President Kagame who won the polls in a landslide victory. “I will not withdraw from the race; in 2003 I withdrew because of the political situation that was prevailing and the decision to withdraw was taken by my party,” “In 2003, there were presidential candidates who were campaigning using the ethnic card; we decided to join hands with the RPF since it was on the right path of rebuilding the country”. Ends