The RPF Inkotanyi camp yesterday received much needed support from the Muslim community and working classes of Nyamirambo in Kigali City to conclude its whirlwind tour of the country. The final rally will be held today at Bumbogo in Gasabo district, outside the City,
Party candidate, Paul Kagame could not hide his pleasure and acknowledged the support with a pledge that the RPF would never segregate Rwandans based on religious affiliations, ethnic, age or gender division. He crowned the day with a dance which excited Nyamirambo residents. Nyamirambo is one of the most dynamic working class suburbs, known as a part of town that never sleeps and is active 24-hours a day.
“The RPF policy has always never been about creating division based on religion, ethnic groups or age.” said
Kagame, who is widely expected to clinch an emphatic victory in Monday’s polls.
Muslim men and women, who included the elderly in traditional religious dress, kicked off a dance train before Kagame, waving bandanas and singing in Swahili in praise of the party. An elderly mother of 11 children testified how her life had drastically transformed and how easy it has become to educate children under the RPF regime.
“I used to think I am a useless aging woman waiting to die someday. But since the RPF came to power, I have been trained in ingando, appointed a local leader and am now more empowered and enlightened,” she said.
“I have acquired a home of my own worth Frw11 million. My children used to study up to level 6, then a policy of government (for the under privileged) but today, two of them have finished while others have leadership responsibilities,” she added to wild cheering.
Kagame told his supporters that Rwandans are currently rebuilding a new country and that they know where they are heading, naming good governance, development and good living standards as their major aspirations.
“We believe that is what democracy is about…when a majority of the people chose what they want. When some people say there’s no democracy in Rwanda, they are lying,” said Kagame.
He said his party is ready for the next phase of the struggle to liberate the country from poverty, consolidate peace and development for better living standards for all.
Kagame explained to an attentive crowd of about 40,000 people, according to Police estimates, that the western media has deliberately refused to show the truth of his popular support on their television channels to conceal the truth.
“We will go ahead, whether they lie or not. Whatever we do, we do for Rwandans, not to please foreigners,” Kagame asserted, to which the crowd chanted, “Birabareba, birabareba!” which means ‘It’s up to them.’
Kagame even addressed the Swahili speaking community in their own language, exciting the fans more.
“Wasiokujua watajua, na watafahamu…watafahamiya kwa vitendo. Asio apende Rwanda ayende akufe!( Those who don’t know us will know through our development and actions whoever doesn’t love Rwanda can go and die)
Prior to the Nyamirambo rally, Kagame had earlier addressed crowds in Kayonza and Rwamagana districts to conclude his tour of the eastern province.