RPF unveils campaign plan

KIGALI - The Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF), yesterday, unveiled its plans for the upcoming presidential campaigns and introduced the team that will coordinate the activities that are set to officially kick-off on Tuesday, July 20Addressing a news conference, the party vice president and campaign coordinator, Christophe Bazivamo, said that RPF, as a ruling party under the leadership of President Kagame has achieved a lot on the main pillars of its manifesto. The RPF manifesto includes good governance, improving standards of living, justice and the economy. Bazivamo said that tremendous progress has been registered in the past 7 years and the party is determined to consolidate the achievements once voted. “If you look back, we have achieved a lot in good governance, the results are impressive. The progress we have registered in one that has made Rwanda stand out globally and all Rwandans should be proud of this,” Bazivamo said. “We achieved a lot on woman emancipation and gender equality, youth development, all of which contributed to the development efforts we needed,” Bazivamo noted that the ruling party also focussed on establishing peace and security as a major foundation for development. He added that the ruling party has achieved a lot in transforming the economy of the country. Among other things, he highlighted accelerated economic growth, increasing per capita income from $200 in 2003 up to $600 in 2010. He further pointed out, the medical insurance scheme “Mituelle de Sante” which has ensured that all Rwandans access health care. Next Tuesday, July 20, RPF will hold its opening campaign rally at Amahoro National Stadium. According to the Fidele Ndayisaba, the chief campaign manager, the incumbent will then start a countrywide tour in all the 30 districts of the country before winding up on August 7. Party members will, simultaneously, conduct campaign drives at the grassroots level across the country. RPF Secretary General, Francois Ngarambe, revealed that the party has earmarked Rwf1.5bn for the campaign.“This money came from party members. It should be noted that we never forced anyone to pay. It’s (the money) from the efforts of the party members,” Ngarambe said. In a bid to ensure information flow during the campaigns, the party also unveiled three constantly updated websites, which will disseminate information on President Kagame’s campaign trail. The websites, www.rpfinkotanyi.org, www.paulkagame.com and www.mykagame.org – will form an online platform for party supporters anywhere around the world to follow the campaigns. The sites have interactive features that will allow users to network, share information and debate via popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter,and Flickr among others. A free SMS service is available to provide updates on campaign activities. By texting “RPF-the name of the district or sector” - and sending to 2010, one will receive a text message with RPF’s activities. Ends