President Paul Kagame and his party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), are drawing significant global attention with their dynamic campaign strategies.
Known for his transformative leadership, Kagame’s approach has evolved to meet the changing political landscape and the needs of a diverse electorate.
Kagame’s campaign trail includes a massive entourage of supporters who often travel long distances, especially from Kigali City. This following includes young, energetic youth and a few elder supporters.
His security detail, comprising about 1,000 personnel, includes his son, Captain Ian Kagame, who shows remarkable discipline, sophistication, and respect for the chain of command. It is a beautiful scene that underscores the order and professionalism of Kagame’s campaign.
The rallies draw thousands, creating an atmosphere of jubilation and slogan chanting.
The Rwandan electorate can be categorized into three groups. The first group consists of Gen Z voters who had no idea about politics in 2017 but have grown to admire Kagame. Most Gen Z voters are not necessarily party members but mere admirers.
The second group includes millennials and Gen X, who hold positions of authority, run businesses, and are actively employed. These groups are equally active participants in the economy and politics, both in urban and rural areas.
The third group comprises older voters, primary beneficiaries of flagship policies such as Nyakatsi, Girinka, and Ubudehe. Despite their different interests, these groups share a common loyalty to Kagame and the RPF.
Kagame’s strategy now focuses on younger voters. There is a noticeable change within the RPF, with younger campaign managers and strategists.
His team uses social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to reach a broader audience, communicate directly with citizens, and highlight achievements.
Grassroots mobilization has intensified. Town hall meetings, local rallies, and community forums provide a platform for direct interaction. Analyst Golooba Mutebi noted, “Kagame’s detractors must be looking on in dismay as, from one campaign rally to another, Rwandans come out in droves to celebrate the man who has given their country arguably the most effective and least corrupt state machinery on the continent. No one predicted it in 1994.”
He adds, “The outward happiness and jollity with which people react to him, and their desire to travel long distances on foot to be there when he arrives, driving some people to even spend the night at a venue, in order to be strategically positioned to see him clearly, is what has been attracting my attention. We shall know about the level of support after the votes are counted.”
In a recent speech in Kirehe District, Kagame reflected on Rwanda’s transformation. “In the last 30 years, our nation has been transformed, some of you were not yet born, others were newborns and young kids. Today, you are all grown, you have received an education, you are healthy. With you, there is nothing our country will not achieve, because today you have leaders who are not foolish and you are not foolish,” he declared.
This emphasis on the youth and their role in the country’s future is a hallmark of Kagame’s current campaign strategy.
Kagame prioritizes education, technology, and entrepreneurship to empower the younger generation and drive economic growth.
Initiatives like tech hubs, vocational training centers, and startup incubators reflect this commitment.
Sustainability is also crucial. Emphasizing environmental conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, Kagame addresses long-term challenges. His administration’s efforts in reforestation and green energy solutions are central to this vision.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Kagame has increased government openness through regular press briefings and anti-corruption initiatives. This builds trust and ensures good governance.
International collaboration is another strategic element. Strengthening ties with global institutions and foreign governments positions Rwanda as a key player on the world stage.
Collaborative efforts in trade, investment, and regional security boost Rwanda’s development and geopolitical influence.
Rwanda has also played a significant role in peacekeeping and security on the continent. Despite being surrounded by hostile neighbors like Congo and Burundi, the country enjoys peace and stability and is ranked among the most secure countries on earth.
Kagame’s ability to contain these threats has earned him admiration at home and abroad.
He has assured his supporters that they can count on him to continue providing this security.
This election coincides with Rwanda celebrating 30 years of liberation from a genocidal regime and the end of the genocide against the Tutsi, led by the RPF-Inkotanyi under Kagame’s leadership.
The timing is crucial, and there is no better way to reward the noble cause of the RPF than by voting it back into government to continue the progress.
Despite strong support for Kagame, the race is not without competition. Philippe Mpayimana, Senior Expert in charge of Community Engagement in the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, and Dr. Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda face a tough challenge.
The RPF, backed by eight political parties, dominates the political landscape. Mpayimana’s rallies attract few supporters, highlighting the disparity in support levels.
His role as a cabinet appointee underscores the democratic nature of Kagame’s leadership, allowing opposition candidates to run freely.
The parliamentary campaigns to fill 80 seats present another dimension, with the RPF facing some of the same parties that support Kagame.
The challengers struggle to articulate policies that could sway a meaningful constituency.
The Green Party’s focus on justice, education, and unemployment overlaps with ongoing RPF initiatives, making it hard to gain traction.
As Rwanda heads to the polls on July 15, the peaceful and well-organized nature of the elections, free from violence and vitriol, stands as a testament to the stability and democratic values upheld under Kagame’s leadership.
Rwanda’s journey from the horrors of genocide to a beacon of peace and progress is a powerful narrative, one that Kagame and the RPF continue to write with each passing election.
