Kagame’s rally attracts record crowd in Burera

BURERA - RPF’s candidate, Paul Kagame, yesterday, continued his campaign in the Northern Province, addressing tens of thousands of party supporters who had turned up for the campaign rallies in the districts of Burera and Musanze. In Burera, the crowd was massive, evidently larger than the ones in Rulindo and Gakenke districts. It is estimated that over 130, 000 residents gathered to give Kagame a heroic welcome to the district. The crowds danced vigorously and sang RPF songs on top of their voices. Local artists, Tom Close, Dr. Claude, King James and Tuyisenge of the “Tora Kagame” fame, helped fire up the excited crowd. President Kagame arrived at the venue - the Peace and Leadership centre, Nkumba, in Burera district - at 1 p.m., to a deafening welcome by the already buoyant crowd singing RPF songs and proceeded to greet supporters. Kagame, who started his upcountry campaign in the North, was promised by the residents of Burera district a payback of 100%, come August 9, for his role in turning around the district from the most remote to one of the most enterprising in the country. The candidate told the residents of Burera that he was not just there to ask for their votes but to consult and share ideas, on how to sustain the development in the district. He said that Burera is a beautiful district with good climate and lakes, telling residents that as the government worked with them to reclaim the lakes, it will continue to work with them for further progress. Burera district is home to L. Burera and L. Ruhondo which were on the verge of drying up due to human activities but the residents and the government embarked on programmes to restore the two lakes. Kagame, pointed out that the people of Burera have worked hard to restore peace in the country and the prevailing stability is responsible for the achievement the country has recorded, which Burera has contributed to. He commended the residents of Burera for responding positively to government programmes of agriculture, health, education, peace and democracy, adding that impressive progress has been made but that there is need to do more. The RPF candidate told the cheering audience that more can be achieved if they make the right choice in the forthcoming presidential elections, and that RPF and its candidate have what it takes to guide them on that path. He went on to emphasize that the choice they make during the August 9, polls will determine whether the country will continue to move forward in terms of development, improving the standards of living for all Rwandans and pursuing good relations with neighbours. Kagame said that as a candidate chosen by the RPF and the people of Burera, he will not disappoint, and will continue to deliver in education, health, infrastructure and pursuing policies that develop the country. Some of the residents especially women and youth gave testimonies on how they have been able to uplift themselves, through government poverty alleviation programs, among them, the one-cow-per-family programme, health insurance and education for all. ‘’We have come here to show the solidarity and our sincere support for Paul Kagame who has accorded us respect, brought change to our livelihoods, and to pledge our full support in the presidential elections,’’ Virginia Mujawayezu said. Kagame proceeded to ISAE Busogo where he addressed a huge rally where tens of thousands of residents of Musanze and Nyabihu districts had turned up. Shortly after he was introduced by the campaign manager, Fidele Ndayisaba, Kagame told the massive crowd that the country had achieved a lot in the past, and no one should claim, including those who come from abroad, that they can do a better job than the RPF. Kagame continues on the campaign trail, today, in the districts of Nyabihu and Rubavu in the Western Province. Ends

National

Kagame’s rally attracts record crowd in Burera