One person lost their life and many were hurt in a crowd rush at President Paul Kagame’s election rally, reported Rwanda’s national TV station.
“One person died and 37 others were injured in a stampede that occurred during the RPF-Inkotanyi campaigns in Rubavu on Sunday,” the state-run Rwanda Broadcasting Agency reported, using the official name for Kagame’s party.
“The Ministry of Local Government asked those participating in the campaign to follow the instructions and regulations aimed at ensuring safety and security,” the broadcaster added.
This is ahead of a vote widely expected to extend the incumbent’s 24-year rule.
Kagame has effectively governed Rwanda since the conclusion of the 1994 genocide, which resulted in approximately 800,000 deaths, primarily among Tutsis but also moderate Hutus.
As president since 2000, the 66-year-old will compete against familiar opponents in the upcoming election, including Frank Habineza, the leader of the opposition Democratic Green Party, and Philippe Mpayimana, a former journalist running independently, just as he did in 2017.
Campaigning kicked off on Saturday, with Kagame addressing rallies in Musanze and Rubavu in northern Rwanda on the weekend.
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