By Ollus Ndomu
President Paul Kagame has been officially chosen as the presidential candidate for Rwanda’s ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), in the upcoming July election. The decision was made during the RPF congress, where Kagame faced no opposition.
With Kagame widely expected to secure a fourth seven-year term, the 66-year-old leader has maintained a stronghold on Rwanda’s political landscape for decades. Having won previous elections in 2003, 2010, and 2017 with over 90 percent of the vote each time, Kagame’s dominance remains unchallenged within the party.
While Kagame’s nomination was anticipated, the sole known contender for the July polls is opposition Green Party leader Frank Habineza. However, with Kagame’s overwhelming popularity and the RPF’s strong political machinery, Habineza faces an uphill battle in his bid for the presidency.
In a notable move, the Rwandan government has synchronized the dates for the presidential and parliamentary elections, setting them both for July 15. This decision is expected to streamline the electoral process and ensure a unified approach to governance.
As Rwanda prepares for the upcoming election, all eyes will be on President Kagame as he seeks another term to continue leading the nation’s development agenda and shaping its future trajectory.
