Rwandan nationals in the diaspora are set to cast their vote this Sunday 14th July to elect their president and members of parliament. On Monday 15th July 2024 Rwanda will conduct its national polls with three candidates contesting for the position of President.
They are; incumbent President Paul Kagame the flag bearer of the ruling Rwandese Patriotic Front-RPF Inkotanyi party, Dr. Abineza Frank of the Democratic Green Party and Mr. Mpayimana Philip who is contesting on an independent ticket.
A total of 345 Candidates were approved by the Electoral Commission of Rwanda to contest for the parliamentary seat in the Lower Chamber of deputies. But only 80 members are required to be elected to the lower chamber of deputies.
Rwandan High Commissioner in Uganda, Joseph Rutabana explains that voting in Uganda will take place at the High Commission in Kitante.
“Because of the big number and having only one polling station which will be here at the embassy, we are planning to have about eight voting booths here in this compound so that the flow of the people can be smooth.”
All Rwandans living in Uganda, or who will be found in Uganda but are eligible to vote will be allowed to exercise their right to vote as long as they have their identification, are 18 years and were registered.
“We are expecting many people. Many Rwandans in our diaspora have registered to come and cast their vote from across Uganda. Whoever is found here we’ll try to accommodate them” said ambassador Rutabana.
However Rwandans in the diaspora will not vote for the MPs for special groups including Women, Youth and People Living with Disabilities.
“When people come to vote here [embassy] they will be having two different kinds of voting. The first one will be voting for the president and on the ballot paper they‘ll be having the three candidates and citizens coming to vote will choose one of them. Then for the parliamentary, the ballot paper will be having different political parties which have been approved by the electoral commission and you’ll vote for the political party you want” H.E Rutabana explained.
A total of 2591 polling stations have been designated to conduct the elections in Rwanda and the diaspora. 9.5 million people have been registered to vote in Rwanda . Of these two[2] million are said to first time voters.
Ambassador Rutabana encourages all Rwandans in Uganda to participate in this exercise.
