Tragedy struck an election rally for Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Sunday, as one person died and 37 others were injured in a crush.
The incident occurred in the Rubavu district during a campaign event for the July general election. Four of the injured were hospitalized with serious injuries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Local Government.
The ministry extended condolences to the family of the deceased and noted that a medical team on site did everything possible to help the victims. The government also urged participants in campaign activities to adhere to safety instructions to prevent future incidents.
President Kagame, who is seeking a fourth term, held two rallies in northern Rwanda over the weekend, marking the beginning of the campaign season.
The RPF Inkotanyi party posted a video on Monday showing Kagame taking the stage at the rally, where a crowd of approximately 250,000 supporters, dressed in party colors, danced and cheered.
Kagame 66, has been Rwanda’s de facto leader since 1994, following the end of the genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group. His Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) seized power, and Kagame has been a central figure in the country’s politics ever since. In the 2017 presidential election, he won nearly 99% of the vote.
In the upcoming election, Kagame will compete against Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.
Rwandans will vote on July 15 to elect their next president and lawmakers.
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