Great atmosphere at Amahoro stadium as Kagame starts campaign

You can feel it in the air.


The atmosphere in Amahoro Stadium, Tuesday 20th 2010, as the RPF (FPR) started their presidential campaign, personified the feelings and emotions of the entire party. By 8 a.m party faithful had already started to stream into the stadium, even though most knew that the event would not begin till well into the afternoon. A sea of white polo’s and T-Shirts blanketed the field and all the stands. The only notable exception to this was the black and blue T-Shirts opposite the VIP area which carefully spelled out “KAGAME PAUL OYE”.


The crowd was young and energetic. They danced and chanted party slogans throughout the commencement, accompanied by famous Rwandan artist including crowd favorites; Kitoko, Ms. Jojo and Dr. Claude to name a few.


The RPF can be described as a determined, focused, and organized party. Tuesday’s event suggests that this mind state permeates to every level of the party. The crowd sang campaign songs, danced and moved between the bleachers with a level of zeal and organization that can be rivaled by few. At no point did the enthusiasm falter not least when H.E Paul Kagame arrived to a hero’s welcome.
Immediately upon arrival, H.E Paul Kagame did a loop around the field in the center shaking hands and waving at the party faithful. He surprised everyone when he decided, impromptu, to climb a metal staircase to greet some of the crowd in the stand.


The whole ambiance of the rally embodied the drive that the RPF epitomizes; organization, energy, confidence and diversity. One of the largest rallies in Rwandan history reflected the enormous changes that have occurred in the last 16 years of RPF rule. The crowds focus and determination to get their candidate elected reflects the strong feeling that RPF has done an effective and diligent job of directing the nation. The party’s candidate, H.E Paul Kagame, promised to continue the progress and development that transpired in the last 16 years, and there was no question who the party cadre wanted to lead their nation. Perhaps the most telling banner of the event was a red “Demokarasi” [Democracy] that hung directly across from the podium where H.E Paul Kagame spoke.