Kagame has done a lot but Rwanda can do with change – main opponent

Frank Habineza, Rwandan presidential aspirant and main opposition candidate in upcoming polls, has given a good account of the incumbent Paul Kagame but adds that Rwanda could do with change, a leading English daily The New Times has reported.

Habineza, Kagame and a third candidate are criss-crossing the country canvassing for votes. On one of his campaign stops earlier this week in Rulindo and Nyabihu districts located in the northern and western provinces respectively, Habineza promised to build on successes of the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi, if elected.

“We have had a better country but we want the best one, we will build on what has been achieved to bring about positive change; we will not destroy what has been achieved by the incumbent government but we will change what is not good,” he told the electorate in Rulindo District.

The 40-year-old stressed that if elected president, his main focus was going to be in the area of infrastructure development such as roads, providing the citizenry with access to water, building a referral hospital in each district and health facilities at the sector level, among others.

“We will build houses for military and police personnel, increase their salaries and bring schools and health facilities closer to them so that they live with their family members,” he noted.

Kagame, the ruling party’s candidate is widely expected to win as he seeks to extend his over decade-and-half rule since helping oust the regime at the time. He will face Habineza and independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana.

Winner of the August 4 polls will get a seven year term to steer affairs of the country seen as one of Africa’s rising economic powerhouses.