As RPF draws crowds, the Greens and the independents face empty venues
Rwandan president and candidate for the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party Paul Kagame greets supporters in his childhood Ruhango district, Southern Province, during the kick off of his campaign on July 14, 2017. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA | NMG
On a sunny Thursday afternoon, Philippe Mpayimana and his “entourage” of two people and an announcer strolled into a playground at Mahoko in Rubavu district, where was supposed to hold a campaign rally. The venue was empty, save for a couple of chairs.
Since the election campaigns kicked off on July 14, Mr Mpayimana, an independent candidate competing against the incumbent and ruling party flag-bearer Paul Kagame and Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s Frank Habineza, has endured empty campaign grounds.
