The programme was simultaneously aired live on national TV and Radio, as well as all the private FM stations. It was organised by the Press House, High Media Council and Association of Rwandan Journalists (ARJ).
Hosted by Radio Rwanda director Faith Mbabazi and Justin Mugabo from TV, each party had two minutes to spell out their programs as regard the economy and social welfare.
PSD heavyweight Juvenal Nkusi was there to defend his 19-year old party; Local government Minister James Musoni was on the panel for the RPF; as Senator Odette Nyiramirimo was selling PL; and PPC sent Bodouin Muhayimana.
For the next two hours, all the other parties repeatedly came under scrutiny from the small selected audience of mainly journalists numbering about a dozen, over not criticizing the ruling RPF at any one moment.
Juvenal Nkusi (PSD) furiously reminded the moderators that he had explained the same thing just moments before. “We have been operating within the confines of the constitution which stipulates power-sharing, but now we want to lead,” he fired back.
Nkusi (PSD) was continuously on the defensive against accusations that all the three parties are stooges of the RPF. In a mixture of articulation and arrogance, Nkusi even tried to rephrase some of the questions which were thrown at him, as the others all argued they were independent parties which RPF cannot drive as it wished.
James Musoni was probably the star of the debate as all the questions directed at the RPF seemed to aid him to detail the party program, in addition to the repeated showers of praise for a job well-done from the panelists.
The missing link was probably Bodouin Muhayimana (PPC) whose microphone was not even audible. Technicians had to help him with fixing the neck-mic.
At some point he was challenged by top academic Senator Prof Jose Kagabo who posed his question demanding answers with figures regarding how PPC would implement the plan to put a nursery school in every Mudugudu (village).
Before the PPC representative could answer, laughter could be heard in the room as he struggled to stand by his message. Muhayimana did not answer this, instead responding to totally different issue concern employment insurance – one of PPC programs.
Perhaps another top performer was Senator Nyiramirimo who sounded confident and in touch with the PL program. As a top PL insider, it was no surprise. She has also been in government for several years – even in cabinet. Nyiramirimo also caused some mummers when she emphasized that PL was party to all that has been achieved over the past seven years.
In the Southern Province on Friday, incumbent President Kagame said his government would ensure everything promised doubles by seven – in reference to the length of mandate. Musoni (RPF) came under attention when he was asked to detail how that will be attained – with Justin Mugabo (co-moderator) describing it as electioneering propaganda.
Musoni defended the Kagame message as not meaning what had been said, instead that the president was referring to the incomes over the next seven years. “The president said the earning power of all Rwandans will multiply by seven under his administration,” Musoni.
He continued: “What we have achieved over the last seven years clearly shows that everything should have increased by a similar rate.”
The election contenders had trouble from the audience as they detailed what they termed as “priority” programs immediately the get into office. PSD wants to double teacher salaries in three years and doctors at all health centers; PL wants the judicial system reformed, the compensation of Genocide survivors brought to a national debate and solve accommodation for survivors in 2 years ; PPC is proposing an employment insurance scheme.
However, for Musoni, everything is priority for the ruling RPF.
Except for PPC, the audience and moderators suggested that there has been nothing new proposed by the others parties. All dismissed this notion, with some even raising small booklets which they said detail their campaign programs. The party representatives also rejected the accusation that they were not prepared for the election as seen by the number of people who attend their rallies as compared to tens of thousands at RPF functions.
Dr. Nyiramirimo (PL) said some people who come to RPF rallies are there out of curiosity to see the President. “As head of state, so many people would like to see him. But we have also managed to spread our programs,” she argued.
For the final question from the moderators, the party representatives were to say what they will do on the day after August 09 – the D-DAY.
All the three contenders said they will accept the results, but there was visible laugher in the audience and panel as Musoni said the RPF will surely take the election results, no matter the way they swing.
Each of the party representatives said they are in the race to win.
The next debate will be on Friday next week – just three days to polling day.