The father of a young woman who tragically passed away last year during a Rwanda Patriotic Front-Inkotanyi presidential campaign in Rubavu District has received support from party members as part of their gesture of condolence.
This support, which includes a fully furnished house with a kitchen, bathroom, and cow shed, was handed over today to Emmanuel Barihenda, father of the late Jeannette Nirere.
She died on June 23, 2024, from injuries sustained in a stampede that occurred at the RPF-Inkotanyi campaign rally held at Rugerero Sector grounds.
The incident resulted in two fatalities and 36 injuries. It happened as supporters were bidding farewell to their party’s front-runner, President Paul Kagame, after the conclusion of his campaign speech. As the crowds dispersed from the campaign site, a stampede ensued, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
On receiving the party’s support, Barihenda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Paul Kagame and the RPF-Inkotanyi family for their unwavering support during his time of grief.
“I am grateful to President Paul Kagame. During my difficult time, he and the RPF-Inkotanyi family stood with me and helped ease the pain of losing my daughter. They built me a house, provided a cow, and offered support in many ways. I sincerely thank them.”
Barihenda’s household had been supported by his daughter Nirere, who was 40 years old at the time of her passing.
Nirere’s parents said that since her death, the party has continued to assist them and eventually built them a decent fully equipped house and donated a cow to help sustain their livelihood.
Nyirabuhinja Venansiya, Nirere’s mother, said that The RPF-Inkotanyi family has been with us since Nirere passing.
:They provided us with financial assistance when we needed it most. Now, they have given us a fully furnished house and a cow. Their support has made a big difference. We are grateful and happy because they have always been there for us.” she said.
Barihenda added that Nirere used to care for him, doing household chores, shopping, and preparing meals:
“She is gone, but the RPF-Inkotanyi has stepped in to support us. They have even done things for me that she would have done if she were here.” Barihenda said.
Uwanyirigira Roseline, Secretary of the RPF-Inkotanyi Executive Committee in the Western Province, explained that Nirere was an active party member who lost her life while coming to support the party’s candidate:
“She was on her way to support our candidate when she passed away. The party has not forgotten her. That’s why today we are here to provide her family with what she might have been able to do for them.
We will continue to stand with them. Today, we are giving them a house, household equipment, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a cow in a shelter. All of this is meant to support them, and the party remembers her sacrifice.” she said.
Uwanyirigira also emphasized that Nirere’s child will continue to receive educational support until she is able to do so independently, reaffirming the party’s long-term commitment to her family.
Anyone seeking the truth about Rwanda, will be struck by the difference between the Rwanda that is, and the other that exists in the imagination of the country’s detractors. This difference is most starkly obvious at certain moments during the country’s political calendar, moments like this weekend.
An eagle eyed observer, will have noted something unusual this weekend. A number of people in the red or blue colours of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party, sometimes topped off with red or blue caps, walking purposefully towards this or that direction.
If you followed them, you would eventually have been welcomed into a town or village hall meeting, where party members, and anyone else who wished to join them, had gathered to exercise their democratic rights.
It is one of several examples of direct democracy in Rwanda, this one starting at the smallest structure of local government, community level in essence. The party, which happens to have been in government for the last seven years, reports what it has achieved to the electorate. Party leaders also explain what they have failed to achieve and why, before they ask the electorate for continued support, in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Although the meetings were of members and therefore expected to support the partry, both they and the leadership, are clear that their support is not to be taken for granted, that it is to be earned.
“We feel very happy with this meeting, primarily because of the progress that has been made over the last seven years, under the leadership of our chairman, who is also our head of state,” enthused Ange Mukandayisenga, in Musanze. She was especially pleased with the development in schools and the road network in her area.
While most were horrified by any suggestion of complacency, there was a palapable sense of self satisfaction, that their party had delivered for the country, and they expected to win the elections and continue the work.
“What we want and are waiting for now” said Olivier Ndayizeye, “is to have the schedule and organisation for the elections, especially at the local level, so, we can come out and vote and help the organisers in whatever way they wish.”
It is decades since the RPF morphed into a political party, from a movement, but at times like these, the enthusiasm of its membership, takes on the drive and idealism of a movement.
Rwanda’s elections are frugal, and there is a sense of pride in the voluntary contributions to the party’s electoral fund. As a brand, the party would be the envy of any marketing department.
People seem to want to contribute because they do not want to be outdone, in showing their support and loyalty, to an organisation they feel belongs to them, and richly deserves their support. At times, it feels as though the membership’s enthusiasm drives the leadership, rather than the other way round. Watching these local party meetings, it becomes clear why Rwanda’s national elections are always a celebratory affair. The people own the process, and feel that the leadership is accountable to them.
Grassroots leaders of Rwanda Patriotic Front(RPF) Inkotanyi today gathered members in their respective villages to present party achievements in the last seven years and to remind them their responsibility as citizens in the upcoming elections.
On July 14-15, Rwandans in the country and in diaspora will go to polls to elect the next president who will serve the five year constitutional term, and to elect members of parliament-lower chamber for the same period of time.
RPF already chose their flag bearer who is the incumbent President Paul Kagame and members are being prepared to be part of this electoral process.
On Sunday, May 12, all villages of the country had the RPF members convene to first of all reflect on the achievements of the party in the last seven years.
Clad in the party colors, they were in numbers to respond to the call of the chairperson of their villages who reminded that the party achieved quit a lot that they cannot talk about them in a few minutes.
In Rubungo village of Bumbohgo sector, Gasabo district, the members welcomed visitors from the sector level who gave a summary of the achievements.
“Actions speak by themselves,” said the party chairperson after the RPF hymn.
In economic development, the chairman spoke about transformational achievements which include, but are not limited to a land use and development Masterplan which will guide the country through 2050, construction of model villages, and access to electricity which has reached 76 per cent, up from 38 per cent in 2017.
He elaborated on transport which include acquisition of plenty of new buses in the capital Kigali which is contributing to smart transport and reduction of jam in the greenest and cleanest city of Africa-Kigali.
To this long list, he added renovation of Rwanda’s airports of Kigali and Kamembe, and construction of a new airport in Bugsera now ongoing in its first phase.
However, he couldn’t conclude without adding the award winning Amahoro National Stadium which has been refurbished to increase 25,000 sitting capacity to 45,000 seats.
“When I pass by Amahoro Stadium, I feel goosebumps,” said the chairperson proudly before adding the state-of-the-art BK Arena, 10,000 sitting capacity in vicinity of Amahoro stadium in this Kigali’s sport hub.
“If anyone tells you that it is just Amahoro stadium, remind them that we also constructed Bugesera stadium, Huye Stadium, Ngoma and Nyagatare Stadium, all in this term,” the chairman said.
The list continued to include health activities which include hospitals and international health institutions, and a new health financial cooperative, Umuganga Sacco.
He them proceeded with achievements in financial inclusion and spoke about Ejo Heza, a scheme that is helping all Rwandans to save for their future.
Several other achievements were also shared and those couldn’t work if there was no security, which include supporting peace initiatives through UN peacekeeping missions.
Rwanda is among top peacekeeping contributing countries in the world.
RPF members shared testimonies, which reflect development journey in the last seven years.
In Rubungo, a new neighborhood where housing is booming, RPF members could recall how they started clearing the land to afford a plot and to construct houses on this hill which offers a panoramic view on Kigali, more like Rebero in Kicukiro district.
“I believe we owe this to good leadership spearheaded by President Paul Kagame our chairperson,” said a member.
Another witness who is also a seasoned politician, said that as woman, she started serving in leadership when the society was still despising women, but today, she said, we are equal as men and women. Women here can tell better what we gained in the RPF leadership.
Elsewhere, in Musanze district, the same meeting brought hundreds in their respective villages.
“Our roads were in sorry state, but today, we have tarmac roads. We are happy for the beautiful schools that we have got thanks to the good leadership of President Paul Kagame,” Ange Mukandayisenga from Musanze testified.
According to the RPF report, the number of classrooms increased to 76,000 up from 22,000 classrooms in the last seven years.
This increased with the number of teachers, who actually enjoyed a big salary increment of up to 80 per cent, in search fo quality of Education during this term.
In Musanze, the RPF Members are particularly proud of the tourism because in this area of volvano national Park, home to mountain gorillas, the government dedicate 10 per cent of the revenues with the people neighboring the park. This money reaches them in form of public infrastructure.
“We can’t wait! For us we consider our elections as a wedding,” Olivier Uwizeye, another party member said.
On this occasion, members were reminded about their responsibility to make sure that they register on their voting list and to fulfill all requirements so that there is no impediment come July 15.
RPF Secretary General, Wellars Gasamagera, flanked by the Commissioner in Charge Dr. Abdallah Utumatwishima, announce address the media on the electoral calendar. Photos/Eric Ruzindana/KT.
The ruling party, Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) has kicked off preparations for the July Presidential Polls, beginning with nationwide party primaries to elect representatives of the party, right from the grassroot level, up to the national level, where a candidate for the Presidential elections and Members of Parliament will be elected.
This was revealed on Friday by Wellars Gasamagera, Secretary General, RPF-Inkotanyi, in a press conference, at the party headquarters in Rusororo, Gasabo district, to announce three-week long party electoral exercise which will culminate into a national congress to elect the flagbearer in the Presidential polls.
SG Gasamagera said the exercise comes ahead of the July elections, in which RPF Inkotanyi has already revealed intentions to seek re-election, to continue leading the country, in a bit to consolidate the achievements registered over the past three decades.
He pointed out that since RPF-Inkotanyi took over in 1994, guided by its founding principles, the country has undergone tremendous socioeconomic transformation and the party, which is led by President Paul Kagame, as its Chairman, is looking to build on its achievements by seeking re-election.
“After this 7-year term, we are going to run in the elections again, to continue leading the country as the political organisation in charge. In this election, we are running on the basis of the achievements registered over the past seven years. We achieved a lot and wish to continue on this path,”
SG Gasamagera said RPF Inkotanyi will seek re-election on the basis of the achievements registered over the past 7 years.
“We want to continue on the development course we’ve established over the years through good leadership, we will reveal more as we go, and we will also tell Rwandans what we want to do over the next term. Next month we will have a party congress where more details will be shared,” Gasamagera told journalists.
He pointed out that the party elections will be unique in the sense that the party candidate in the Presidential elections, Members of Parliament and representatives of the party at all levels, will be elected right from the grassroots, starting at the village level.
The party elections will be held in line with the new electoral calendar announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), which combined Presidential and Parliamentary Polls in a bid to harmonise with the electoral calendars of other countries in the East African Community (EAC) and also to minimise resources used to conduct elections.
Previously, Rwanda used to hold Presidential and Parliamentary elections separately, two years apart. Gasamagera said that the party elections will be held in a transparent and inclusive manner, to ensure true representation of the people at all levels.
“We will begin these elections tomorrow, and we look forward to seeing our members come in big numbers to nominate and elect people they believe can represent them in the party at all levels in a democratic manner,” he said emphasizing that all party members have a right to participate in the elections.
President Kagame and Chairman of RPF Inkotanyi campaigns in Musanze District, Northern Province, July 26, 2017. File Photo
And so, it begins. With the announcement of incumbent President Kagame’s candidature for next year’s Presidential elections, the flood gates were flung open for the torrent of opinion from the self appointed arbiters of what is best for Rwanda, and whom its citizens should choose for their head of state, instead of their clearly stated preference. After all, what would they know?
It is apparently axiomatic, that Rwandans are a hapless, benighted lumpen mass, under the thumb of a “dictatorship”, desperately in need of outsiders not to speak, but to think for them too. And although you would see neither hide nor hair of them, if salvation were indeed needed, one can barely move for these Fairweather saviours, in times of established wellbeing.
Early out of the blocks, is a new entrant to the ‘we know best for Rwanda camp’, Al Jazeera columnist, Tafi Mhaka. “The likes of Kagame and Doumbouya are not being honest – Africans love Democracy and want to see it work” he tells his readers, in his column on Rwanda.
One could write an entire essay on just those words, but we will leave that for another time, some questions however, refuse to be quietened, and all but raise themselves. The Guinean coup leader Mamaday Doumbouya, staged a coup d’etat in his country, in 2021. We are yet to know what he has to offer the people of his country. If he emulates Paul Kagame, as Mhaka says he wants to do, then any dispassionate observer will be glad for Guineanians.
In any case, what could he possibly have in common with Paul Kagame? To lump the Rwandan President together with anyone, let alone an unknown, untested coup leader, is ludicrous, to put it mildly. Mhaka however, is clearly of the ‘they are all the same’ persuasion.
Like him or hate him, Paul Kagame, is a singular leader, not only on the African continent, but globally. Any serious attempt at a proper analysis of his leadership, would have to begin on that basis, and it would have to be better informed, than sweeping up every Western cliché about African leadership, and serving it up as analysis.
But for the self appointed saviours, being informed about Rwanda, would be to undermine the basis for their very existence, to yank the rug from under their own feet. How could they posture as saviours to a nation and a people who are clear about the direction in which they wish their nation to advance. No, better to ignore the facts on the ground, and keep superimposing a perception of Rwanda that guarantees the need for saviours.
Perhaps even characterising them as fairweather saviours is too charitable. They are baleful wreckers masquerading as saviours. For even the most self-seeking fairweather saviour, would heed, at least to a tiniest degree, the part of them that looks at Rwanda, and acknowledges that it saved itself, and galling though it might be, they were not needed.
And what an unhappy irony, that such a self serving, pseudo intellectual presumption, should be published by an African writer, on an Al Jazeera website. This after all is a news organisation that was established as a counterbalance to Western stereotypical preconceptions about the rest of the world.
As so many of Rwanda’s detractors, Mhaka grudgingly notes that Rwanda has made “significant socioeconomic strides since the 1994 genocide that killed at least 800,000…with many observers describing the country as an African success story…,” like so many of Rwanda’s detractors, he cannot get himself to call the Genocide Against the Tutsi, precisely what it was, or to acknowledge Rwanda’s own tally of its dead, the over a million men, women and children. He certainly cannot acknowledge Rwanda, as any kind of success story, because as he informs us, “Paul Kagame is a ruthless despot and a major obstacle to true democratic progress…”
And of course, Paul Kagame’s popularity must be doubted, presumably because the elections cannot possibly reflect the true wishes of the people of Rwanda. To them, he suggests they look to the likes of Victoire Ingabire, or Diane Rwigara.
Like or hate him, President Kagame has stood the test of time and earned the trust of Rwandans.
Does Mhata know anything about Ingabire? Almost certainly not, beyond what her Western backers tell him. This is a woman who is on conditional release, after a Presidential pardon, from completion of a long prison sentence, for among other things collaborating with the planners and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, in their murderous insurgent war against Rwanda.
The same people are now leading the genocidal murders in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Ingabire was, and to some extent, effectively remains the head of the remnants of the Rwanda genocidal establishment.
And what understanding does he have of Dian Rwigara, a flighty, entitled woman, who believed she should be Madam President, because, well, why not. To stand as a Presidential candidate, Rwandan law requires the aspirant to have a given number of signatures from all the nation’s 30 districts.
No doubt considering that too arduous and tedious a task, Ms Rwigara, decided she would rather throw money at it, and buy the names, a decision which landed her in court. The resulting noise from the likes of Mhaka has yet to die down.
The fact is that the only thing that prevented Rwigara, and Ingabire from running for the Presidency, was their demonstratable lack of fitness for the role, and the only thing that had them sporting Rwanda prison pink, was their criminality.
In the case of Ingabire, serious criminality, that includes genocide ideology. Mhaka would neither know or care about any of this however. His objective is to attempt to tarnish the name of the candidate most preferred by Rwandans.
And what suddenly put ants in this particular would-be saviour’s pants? He seems to accept that Western impositions of democracy are undesirable, arguing that “this continent [Africa] has suffered more than enough from Western impositions…”
Put the following quote against Mhaka anti Rwanda fulminations: “Democracy is not an abstract theory. It is the product of an explicit and precise context. Look around: there is not one unique form of democracy, but different democratic systems that range from constitutional monarchies to direct representation. A democracy must reflect the aspirations, history, and culture of the people within which it is attempting to take root; otherwise it is bound to fail”, President Paul Kagame, who has never decried democracy.
And Kagame has clearly given it more thought than the writer seems to have done. Had he listened a little more attentively to what President Kagame, actually says about democracy, rather than what he wants him to say, the better to launch his diatribes against him, Mhaka might have realised that his entire article, nearly two thousand words of it, was based on almost the exact opposite of what President Kagame believes and says. Far from rejecting democracy, Kagame would have it better understood, and built from a Rwandan, and African perspective.
According to Mhaka, “Democracy is no longer an exclusively Western model or aspiration. And it is not a Western imposition…” The implication that democracy was ever exclusively Western, is of course, as wrong, as it is ill informed.
The word, democracy, maybe derived from a Western language, albeit an ancient one, but the political system it describes, can be found in many African political systems, some of which would probably have horrified the Athenian elite, who envisaged more of an oligarchy, than a truly democratic state. Despite the literal meaning of the word, rule by, or of the people, the Athenians’ notion of ”the people” was a select group, who they believed were worthy of being consulted.
When he informs us from on high, apparently brooking no argument, that “Rwanda is after all not really a democracy,” Mhaka does actually have a point, although not that he would be aware of it. The truth is that for all the posturing, and preaching from Western countries, no nation on earth is a real democracy. Some do certainly come closer than others, but none can be called true democracies. They are a variety of oligarchies, with varying degrees of democratic principles.
As a modern state, Rwanda began in 1994, after the final defeat of the genocidal forces, the kind of people whose ideology continues to be disseminated, albeit more subtly now, by Victoire Ingabire, and her supporters. Anyone who follows its trajectory since 1994, from building institutions, to empowering people, will conclude that Rwanda is a democratising state, in its twentieth or so year of democratisation.
First time voters pose for a photo after the August 4, 2017 Presidential polls.
In its founding principles, the main governing party, in Rwanda government of national unity, Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), emphasises, almost as a motto, “people centred” governance. Look at the founding principles of most African liberation movements, and you may well find the exact same aspiration. With many of these movements however, the aspiration peters out, almost with the first demands from the people.
The difference between aspirations remaining just wishful thinking, and turning them into implemented reality, is leadership, and Paul Kagame has literally and figuratively, stood and continues to stand tall, in championing these principles. Rwandans not only know this, they see and live it.
For Rwanda’s predominantly Western detractors, and their acolytes, like Mhaka, their greatest anxiety seems to be that Paul Kagame’s leadership will continue to deliver in the manner it has for Rwanda, and since Rwanda is part of the world community, for the world too.
Rwandans’ greatest anxiety on the other hand, is that in the fullness of time, Paul Kagame will utter the words, I am sorry that I cannot heed your call to be your candidate for head of state this time. When that day comes, Rwandans will pray fervently that their next head of state will at least aim to walk in Paul Kagame’s footsteps, even if filling his size seventeens might be a bridge too far.
Paul Kagame is a world leader of note, and as such, journalists, commentators, and pretty much anyone who fancies, is entitled to comment about him, it is an occupational hazard.
What the Mhakas of this world and others of his ilk are not entitled to however, is the absurd presumption, to inform Rwandans about their country, their society, their history, or whom they should choose to head their nation. Not least, dare one say, because it is an abuse of their democratic right.
We need not take any reader’s time dismissing the twaddle about “enforced disappearances” “murders” that are constantly recycled about Rwanda, save to suggest that readers might want to ask why we are never told who these “disappeards” are, and why after almost thirty years of RPF leadership, this supposedly murderous government, is responsible for two or three names that keep being recycled its detractors.
Any meaningful analysis of Paul Kagame, must begin with why he is not only popular, popularity after all comes and goes, but why he is universally respected and even loved by his compatriots. That approach will have the advantage of leading to the truth not only about Paul Kagame, but about Rwanda.
But Mhaka and his fellow travellers prefer a different path. Rather than approach Rwanda with an open mind, and follow where the facts on the ground where they may lead, they would rather regale their readers, viewers and listeners, with a Rwanda of their fetid imagination, which meets with their agenda of bringing an altogether too independent minded African head of state into line, the better for them to ride in to save it.
In the run up to their national elections, especially, Rwandans and their head of state, deserve better than the by now nauseating recycling of neo-colonial tropes, thrown at any African leader, who does not say, how high, when the West and its faithful African followers say jump.
President Kagame giving his acceptance speech upon being re-elected RPF Inkotanyi Chairman for the new five years.
President Paul Kagame has called on members of the ruling party to keep the momentum going for the coming years if the party is to fully restore the independence of the country and deliver to the expectations of the citizens.
In his acceptance speech after being re-elected chairman of the ruling party Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF- Inkotanyi), for the next five years, President Kagame reiterated his earlier message that the party cannot afford to be complacent because the challenges it has to deal with remain extraordinary in nature.
“We cannot do things like everybody else. The challenges they face and those we confront are different. We need to do things in a unique way so that even those who want to accuse us of all evils can hardly find any wrongs about us.” Chairman Kagame in his acceptance speech, reiterating his earlier message about RPF principles.
In his acceptance speech, President Kagame thanked RPF members for trusting him to continue to lead the party and promised to carry on working towards liberating Rwanda from all kinds of control that go against the very reasons RPF fought for, including external influence.
Draw a succession plan.
While he appreciated the fact that he was re-elected to lead the party for another five years, Chairman Kagame tasked the ruling party to find a succession plan that would allow him to pave way for someone else to take over the reins, in what sounded like a call for a transition.
President Kagame said the more he is tasked to lead the party, the more he feels a gap within.
“I want to thank you for the trust you have continued to show in me. For some time now you have continued to show trust in me. It means you appreciate everything we have achieved together but I also have to admit that it comes with a sense of guilt,”
“I feel like I owe you something. I feel there is something that is still missing, and we must work to get a solution for. We have to fulfil the task of us finding someone who can do what you elect me to do,”
“I have a debt of saying that if we could move faster in what we do, to the point where we can find someone else to do what I am doing. That is what I am saying that there is a dose of guilt. It means that I have not been able to work with you to find someone else who can do what I am doing,”
“Every time we are looking for a chairman and I come back again with 99.9 percent, I ask myself, why can’t it be someone else? I am not saying this just for the leadership of RPF-Inkotanyi. The same applies to the leadership of the country. You should know that every time I am brought back to serve, that burden actually increases,” President Kagame said.
He pointed out that everytime he is re-elected, he feels the gap of the party not being able to nurture a successor, urging party members to think about it, adding that while there is a lot to celebrate, there should be more efforts going towards consolidating what is being built,”
Members of the ruling party overwhelmingly re-elected President Kagame to remain in charge.
“That is the only way we can build something sustainable. What we are building is sustainable, but if we can address that issue of finding a successor for continuity, it would be even better,” President Kagame says.
A look back in history
President Kagame recalled past events where he was tasked to lead the party, including a congress in 2010 where he was re-elected to lead the party again.
“We had a meeting in Petit Stade, I tasked you to look for someone to succeed me. If that had happened, I would have been delighted,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame revealed that in 2016, ahead of the 2017 presidential polls, a group of people from a country he didn’t mention, who consisted of renowned stars, came to him to ask if he will stand again in the forthcoming elections and he told them that he was not the right person to ask.
“I asked them to go to every sector here in the country and ask Rwandans that question and come back to me with answers. They came up with what I would call a proposal. They gave me about two proposals,”
“They said that all the things I had achieved, my whole legacy, I actually asked them how they know about my legacy, because they are not Rwandans. They said they could find for me other occupations that would make me a celebrity,”
“I told them that much as I have not asked for that, I am not interested at all. The second thing they said I could find a successor, before I even said a thing, they proposed some names. I said I know these people but what brought you here is to teach me about democracy, are you forced to find someone to replace you?”
“Is that what you do in your countries? What gives you the right to choose people who should lead Rwandans? I invited them for lunch and asked them to go back home,” President Kagame said.
He revealed that until today, he is still receiving letters from people asking him if he will contest again in 2024, some claiming that his answer will help them make a decision to invest their money in Rwanda.
President Kagame said that it is a dillema that he still has to deal with, which is why sometimes he is made to feel guilty.
“That is why I am saying that those looking to take over from us, they should continue to show their abilities,” he said.
He reminded RPF members to stay the course and focus on what they want, which is the only way to forge ahead, instead of listening to narratives coming from anywhere else.
President Kagame with the newly elected Secretary General, Wellars Gasamagera and Vice Chairperson Consolee Uwimana.
The RPF Chairman paid tribute to the outgoing Vice Chairman Christopher Bazivamo and long serving Secretary General, Francois Ngarambe, for their diligent service to the party.
“Thank you to those who have concluded their terms. Thank you to Christophe Bazivamo for the work he has done for the party and for the country. I also want to thank outgoing SG Ngarambe. He served with distinction,”
“It got to a point where he was no longer known as Ngarambe but rather Secretary General. Everyone referred to him as Secretary General. Even if they are handing over power, it doesn’t mean that they did not serve well. It means that they did their part and now they want others to take over,” he said.
President Kagame said that someone like Bazivamo did not just serve as Vice Chairman, but he also served in other positions, which makes his work commendable.
President Kagame’s mandate was the RPF-Inkotanyi Chairman was extended by the party congress on Sunday. Photos/Moses Niyonzima.
President Paul Kagame has been overwhelmingly re-elected the chairman of the ruling party, Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) at the party’s 16th congress which convened on Sunday at Intare Arena in Rusororo.
The Head of State got 2, 999 votes, accounting for 99.8% of the total votes while his closest contender, Abdulkarim Harelimana got 3 votes or 0.2%, in a vote which saw the party elect a new Vice Chairperson and new party Secretary General.
Consolee Uwimana was elected Vice Chairperson, replacing long serving Christopher Bazivamo, who will be heading to Nigeria as the country’s High Commissioner while Wellars Gasamagera takes over as the new party Secretary General, replacing outgoing SG Francois Ngarambe, who is retiring.
Amb. Gasamagera, who until recently was Rwanda’s Ambassador to Angola, got 1,899 votes, accounting for 99.3 percent, while his challenger Christine Bakundufite got 182 votes or 0.8%. By press time, vote counting was still on going to determine the new commissioners.
Party members elected the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is made up of; Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary General and Commissioners, who are 25 in number.
Party members voting on Sunday.
According to the party constitution, at least 30 per cent of NEC members must be women. There are also special slots designated for the youth among the commissioners which were voted for.
President Kagame addresses the 16th RPF Inkotanyi Congress. Photos/Moses Niyonzima.
President Paul Kagame says the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) will continue to do what it has to do to move Rwanda to the next level, against the wishes of those who continue to criticise the choices the country makes, declarng that “we are here to stay”.
The Head of State, who is also the chairperson of RPF Inkotanyi made the observation on Sunday at the opening of the 16th congress of the party attended by more than 2, 000 delegates at Intare Arena in Rusororo.
President Kagame said that RPF Inkotanyi has transcended many obstacles and challenges, having started rebuilding the country from scratch and the party can only get stronger, building on the same values and principles that have driven it, regardless of what Rwanda’s critics say.
President Kagame said that though RPF Inkotanyi is marking 35 years, for many it feels like many years going by the challenges the party had to deal with to rebuild the country from the ruins of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“It feels like 100 years or more for some of us, mainly because of the reason RPF was created and the challenges we have had to deal with. Some of us feel like we have dealt with these heavy responsibilities for more than 100 years,”
He pointed out that RPF has been dealing with challenges, some of which date back to pre-colonial times, including the very reasons out of which the RPF was born -a journey he said has been long and tedious in many ways.
“It also means that in such a journey, there is no young or old. It doesn’t matter how old you are, when the call comes, you respond. This journey of 35 years for RPF was mainly carried by young people with the support of their parents who started the struggle. That is why 35 years feel like they are more than 100,” President Kagame said.
The RPF Chairman said that just as there is no young or old in a liberation struggle, it is the same way there is no small or big country, but it is rather more about the people of that country and what they aspire to be, not the size.
He pointed out that while Rwanda is indeed a small country, it is not defined by the square kilometres it occupies but rather the ambitions and expectations of her people and the will to achieve more as a country -something he said does not depend on the size of the country.
The Head of State said that for that to happen, one has to make the right choices and work towards achieving the set goals, regardless of the challenges ahead.
President Kagame highlighted the principles RPF follows.
“You must choose, you have a choice to make. You can’t just be like this, you can’t achieve, you can’t succeed, you can’t have ambition, you can’t have high expectations unless you are able to choose what you want to be, choose what you want to do. There are no half measures if you want to be that,”
“I am saying this very well-aware of the constraints of the difficulties, some of which look and feel insurmountable. I am aware of that, you are aware of that, but still, you have to make that choice, absolutely. There are no two ways about it,” President Kagame said.
Thinking big from the start, dealing with entitlement
President Kagame said that from onset, RPF Inkotanyi made three choices which it still thrives on and continues to preserve even today, including thinking big and working together as a team.
“We must be together, the young, the old, the weak, the strong, the educated, the uneducated, so on and so forth. It doesn’t matter how different we are. We still have to be together,” he said, adding that the third aspect is being accountable.
“We have to be accountable to each other, even beyond our own selves as Rwanda, meaning to be accountable to others outside our borders because at the end of the day, there is a way we affect them and there a way they affect us. We have to think about that,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame also took time to speak about entitlement, pointing out that there is no such a thing as entitlement or people behaving like they deserve something or should be entitled to certain things -something he said even the RPF party has had to deal with internally.
President Kagame and the First Lady arrive for the RPF Congress.
Without mentioning names, he said there are people within the party who felt they were entitled to certain things and when they didn’t get what they wanted, they fell out with the party.
“We have had such problems even in our own RPF. We have had all kinds of problems that I know others have heard of. We have had our time, our people to feel entitled, which is wrong, but we have had our ways always to look up to each other and look each other in the eyes and find a solution to our problems,”
“We have had our moment. In some cases, we have succeeded, in others, we have not been so successful, but I think we have succeeded more than we have failed,”
“So, we stay the course, we have to stay the course, we have to keep trying. We have to keep making mistakes just out of trying, not for the sake of it, but because we have to keep finding a solution to every problem that has confronted us. Life keeps going on in the journey of RPF,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame paid tribute to all the people, young and old, men and women, who sacrificed themselves, many of whom died while others who are still living still carry the wounds and pain they sustained during the liberation struggle but were rewarded in the end by the progress the country has made.
“As we move forward every time, we have to remember all this, where we have come from and those that are no longer with us but who have enabled us to keep moving on. We have to move on with the heavy task of continuing to achieve more and continuing to build and continuing to be accountable as we thrive,”
“We must continue all the time, we started from scratch. We must carry on with what we started,” President Kagame told the party members and invited guests.
President Kagame thanked friends of Rwanda, countries or individuals, who have unwaveringly stood by the country, pointing out that there are others who are friends, but you can’t predict where they stand, particularly those who want to act superior and tell Rwanda what to do.
“But some of our friends, sometimes they are friends, other times you don’t know what to expect. We still have to deal with those. Because we are RPF, you can’t wish us away,”
“We are here, this is our place, this is our country. We shall stay and stay and stay. Here I am not talking just about RPF, I am talking about the country, through RPF. When I say this I mean Rwanda,” President Kagame said.
He cited those who use aid or other forms of support to say ‘you must do this so we can give you this’ or ‘if you don’t do that, we don’t give you this,’ adding that while he has managed to politely manoeuvre such challenges, sometimes it gets to a point where he looks them in the eye and say “who do you think you are?”
He said that when he does that, he is indirectly telling them that he is RPF, something he said comes with the pride and responsibility to even foot the bill and take action whenever it is needed.
President Kagame said that is the only way to manage such relationships especially when people want to look down on you and use their assumed superiority to minimize you. Minus that, he said you won’t have the independence to redeem yourself or make your own choices.
The Head of State said that it is high time Africans stopped lamenting about the past, cry about the injustices the continent suffered in the colonial era and focus on working towards independence & self-worth.
RPF Vice Chairman, Christophe Bazivamo and Secretary General Francois Ngarambe greet participants.
Young members of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Inkotanyi have been called upon to promote locally made products beyond borders and to maintain discipline in whatever career they take, while fostering Rwanda’s development.
The call was made by RPF-Inkotanyi Vice Chairperson Christopher Bazivamo on Sunday at RPF Headquarters in Rusororo, Gasabo District where about 2,000 participants gathered for the RPF Youth League General Assembly.
During the event, 20 youth were elected to represent others in the National Executive Committee (NEC)
“As youth, you need to develop critical thinking, deciding on what to engage in and what to avoid, building on planned sustainable solutions. All this requires well organized institutions and everyone’s responsibility, including youth.”, said the Vice Chairperson RPF-Inkotanyi Bazivamo.
Participants came from all parts of the country to celebrate their five-year achievements (2017-2022), an event which coincided with celebrating RPF’s 35th anniversary. Achievements celebrated by the RPF youth fall under social welfare, economy and good governance.
Bazivamo urged the youth to think outside the box.
In the last five years, over 800 houses were constructed for vulnerable families, 15,787 latrines, over 919,000 organic gardens, over 765,000 houses were rehabilitated and 712 sports grounds.
It was also reported that about 18,386 sensitization campaigns against school dropout and 26,68 against teenage pregnancy were carried out, formation of Anti- Drug Clubs in 1,132 cells with 118,971 members, and other 94 clubs in 8,486 schools, among other initiatives.
Mobilization was also done to encourage the youth to join the Ejo Heza pension saving scheme where out of over 2,267,000 Rwandans registered,30% are youth.
Youth were also called on to use ICT in transforming society through offering services required in everyday life.
One of the youth at the General Assembly Albert Munyabugingo Co-Founder & CEO ‘Vuba Vuba Africa LTD’ an on-line food & On demand delivery, shared his experience and urged fellow youth to always work collectively in any discovered initiative.
Senior party members take notes.
His delivery service which has been in operation for three years served many people during COVID 19 lock down. According to him, they now serve 1,200 clients per day, with over 30 Staff.
While officially closing the General Assembly, the Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi also highlighted that the youth can’t play a pivotal role in development once they don’t have self-control, the culture of saving for the future and putting their efforts together.
It was full house in RusororoRPF Inkotanyi members sing during the congressThe Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi, was among the speakers.A panel discussionYoung people were given a platform to share their ideas
Umwanya wo kwinigura on his part (time to tell it like it is) – what President Paul Kagame, also Chairman of the country’s ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front, called his meeting with members of RPF Congress 21st and 22nd October 2022, at Intare Conference Arena. This he mentioned in the intro of his opening remarks, challenging from the outset party officials present to on their part too, take the meeting as an opportunity to speak their mind.
On hearing this I knew the leader craved a candid conversation. You could tell without a slight doubt he desired the talk flows from his own as well as the hearts of invited guests to partly form ingredients of a better meeting. By the closure of the two-day engagement the President had delivered well on his promise to lay bare his feelings. I assume each one of us regardless of whether we came into the spotlight for questioning on our individual mistakes or not, left with a good dose from the mentor, a blend of rebuke, insight and encouragement. Whether on our part we did best to share sincere opinions to his satisfaction is another matter.
People who have attended these RPF meetings before will certainly retain a fair view of how the atmosphere can oscillate back and forth between excitement and tension. Excitement because on one hand the party faithful are gleefully fired up whenever they find themselves in the same room with a leader they genuinely idolize. Tension on the other because these being working meetings and not food and drink parties, it is where the Chairman holds party cadres who double as senior government officials sternly accountable against their assigned duties. When this show starts, everybody moves closer to the edges of our chairs, some with slight or real discomfort depending on self-conscious. Here you can easily expect one thing. That in our public service jobs, a number of us will always be found to have fallen short of Rwanda government’s high standards of performance.
Yet prior to pinpointing anyone from among the officials present, the Chairman will elaborately give the background. In the process he explains the terms of reference, outlines expectations again, and highlights agreements or codes of conduct breached. Doing this he never forgets to remind us we have the option of remaining standing up on honour, instead of willingly falling down into the ditch of disgrace. In a passionate voice he appeals to our sense of decency, at times doing so with a deep sigh of frustration, seeming to wonder why some among us shamelessly choose to become repeat offenders of the law! Done doing this he then pounces to hold culprits accountable in a way only associated with him. Works for Rwanda, reason he is cherished and adored by the citizenry as an effective fair leader.
You may ask: but what does the Chairman exactly want? Something different from the ordinary, he often says. Because only then can the country continue to achieve extraordinarily. The term commonly known to Rwandans is UBUDASA (uniqueness). In practical terms he elaborates to give the tag of “unconventional” to the methods of work he wants and general approach in the nationals’ psych as the country pursues its development goals. Case in point is Rwanda’s successful fight against COVID-19. Often this country has been praised by the World Health Organization for setting a good example of how within available means, without excuses, everyone can deal maximum blow to the pandemic through sheer hard work. Looked at from the resources point of view, Kigali sends out an inspiring message sounding like if-Rwanda-can-why-not-you? In line with this notion of a nation consistently punching way above its weight, renown Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda of Independent fame wrote a telling article. https://www.independent.co.ug/a-return-to-rwanda/?s=03.
Yet it was not always hard talk, like I mentioned earlier. In between the opening session on the morning of Friday the 21st and closure on Saturday the 22nd, a lot happened. There were for example impressive presentations on citizen-focused governance and on the picture of the global economy. The intention here was to in the end zero on available local opportunities despite the challenges, especially in the sectors of agriculture and manufacturing. Discussions that followed these presentations, the Chairman liked. Yet in his closing remarks he reminded us it was not the first time we had a seemingly productive meeting with fine resolutions, only to go out of the meeting room and largely revert to business as usual immediately. Why? In my next article I will attempt to answer this question, including a zoom into whether cadres truly responded to the Chairman’s call to speak their mind. Watch this space.
President Kagame urged leaders to be proactive in service. Photos/Urugwiro Village.
President Paul Kagame has urged leaders at all levels of governance to be deliberate in their actions and focus on serving the interests of the people, instead of their own.
The Head of State, who is also the chairman of the ruling party, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), made the call on Saturday at the end of the two-day political bureau meeting that brought together over 2,000 party members and invited guests from other political parties as well as representatives of religious organizations.
President Kagame, who for the two days emphasised the need for efficient leadership said that leaders must serve the interests of the people, pointing out that when leaders don’t do what they are supposed to do, citizens pay the price.
He pointed out that the reason leaders are few among many citizens is simply because they are supposed to take the lead and cannot divert from that.
“Leadership is not a myth or an empty word….it is not something you pay money to get. If it was that easy, all of us would be leaders,”
“Leadership is inside you and you have to make a choice. A choice of what you do, your conduct and other characters that make you a leader. The result of that is the quality of your actions, actions that are measurable,” President Kagame said.
He pointed out that leadership is a choice one deliberately makes and works upon improving, to do better in whatever they do, to impact the lives of the people they serve.
The Head of State said that while the government has in place mechanisms to hold leaders accountable and keep them in check, it is upon individual leaders to do the right thing instead of waiting to be corrected all the time.
“We are seeing cases where someone does something wrong and they try to defend it or to convince you that they were just trying to help,” President Kagame said, in reference to cases of leaders using their positions to peddle influence based on cases that had been highlighted.
“I have no problem with that but if you repeat the same mistake tomorrow and then you do it over and over again, then I believe the explanations run out and you just become a problem to us,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame said that using one’s position to serve individual interests becomes a big challenge most especially when those surrounding the leaders keep silent or act indifferent and allow the vice to go on.
“Leadership is all about regulation and doing things right. You don’t have the luxury of doing things in your interest while hurting others. When you do the right thing, you also benefit and the people benefit,” he added.
Proactive leadership
President Kagame cautioned against lukewarm leadership, where people take up positions but don’t have the resolve and drive to get things done, stating that leaders must be proactive.
“We want proactive leaders, not lukewarm leaders. You are neither here nor there, this doesn’t help anybody. If what you do as a leader is not impacting people, then you are doing it wrong,” President Kagame said.
He urged leaders to be proactive and vibrant so that they want to see the results of their actions and the contribution towards the country’s ambitions.
These skills and qualities cannot be obtained from school according to President Kagame, who said that leadership goes beyond what is taught in class and looks at character, conduct and the drive.
He called on party cadres and other leaders to be transformative in their actions and focus on doing things that improve the lives of Rwandans in a tangible way.
“We have to do away with bad habits of lying, being on the defensive and engaging in wrong practices such as corruption. Those are not qualities of a leader,” he said.
On day two of the RPF political bureau meeting during a panel discussion, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana made a presentation on the state of the economy, recovery and ambitions ahead.
Dr. Ndagijimana highlighted different efforts the government has put in place to resuscitate and cushion the economy from the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Minister Ndagijimana shed light on efforts to fully revive the economy and momentum to deal with global challenges.
He pointed out that over the past couple of years the government has had to chip in in terms of putting in place subsidies on fuel and public transport to slow down inflation and safeguard the economy from the devastating effects.
On the same panel, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Ildephonse Musafili spoke about some of the initiatives the government is working on to ensure sustainable agriculture productivity to address soaring food prices and boost food security.
Our plan is to have strategic reserves that can accommodate 100,000 tonnes of produce which can not only cushion the country against food insecurity but also stabilise the sector because people won’t be selling crops cheaply during bumper harvest,” Dr. Musafili said.
On the challenge of fertilizers, Dr. Musafili said a local solution is being sought where a fertilizer blending plant is under construction in Bugesera district while the long-term plan is to turn the urea found into the methane gas in Lake Kivu into fertilizers.
Dr. Musafili said agriculture should be at the core of everything Rwanda is doing to cushion the economy from shocks.
The Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, Assumpta Ingabire discussed some of the efforts being directed towards ensuring a good upbringing of Rwandan children in befitting conditions.
“It takes a community to raise a child. We need to go back to the point where a parent will meet a child in the neighbourhood and ask them why they are not in school. Teachers too must play their role in curbing school dropout,”
“We are working on a social registry that will help us identify the most vulnerable in communities and use it to track the progress on how people graduate from poverty,” Ingabire said, highlighting some of the social protection programs making a difference in society.
State Minister Ingabire discussed some of the key social interventions Rwanda is implementing to safeguard the society down to households.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the U.S, Mathilde Mukantabana spoke about Rwanda’s steadfast foreign policy which puts the country first, despite constant ‘bullying’ from critics and today Rwanda is a brand everyone wants to associate with.
Amb. Mukantabana pointed out the role of Rwanda’s diaspora in projecting the country’s image and defying naysayers in the face of unfounded attacks levelled against Rwanda but truth always prevails.
She pointed out that President Kagame has singlehandedly worked to put Rwanda on the map and continues to be the number one diplomat, taking Rwanda to the world.
“Diplomacy is a collective undertaking not just for diplomats and our experience is testimony to that. However, our work has been made easy by the resolve of our leadership led by Chairman Kagame. We have earned respect in the international arena,” Amb. Mukantabana said.
Amb. Mukantabana said that Rwandans wherever they are can be good ambassadors of the country.
Diane Cyuzuzo, co-founder and CEO of Afriduino, represented the youth on the panel, highlighting the opportunities young people have in Rwanda, to be part of the development process.
The 2021 Hanga Pitch Fest winner called on young people to have the drive and impetus to do things that not only bring them revenue but also contribute to the transformation of the country.
Cyuzuzo said Rwanda has given young opportunities and urged fellow youth to grab it with both hands.The Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who was invited to the meeting, made several interventions on various government programmes.The First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame attended the two-day meeting.RPF Inkotanyi Vice Chairman, Christophe Bazivamo makes an intervention during the political bureau meeting.MP Mussa Fazil Harerimana said that his party Parti Démocratique Idéal (PDI) has no problem collaborating with RPF in governance.Pr. Antoine Rutayisire said faith-based groups should be fully involved in the development process and decision making because of the society power they hold.Party members and invited guests were upbeat.Singer Intore Tuyisenge in action.
President Kagame speaks during the RPF Extended National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday. Photos/Village Urugwiro.
President Paul Kagame has spoken out on Rwanda’s relations with her neighbours, pointing out that the country is on good terms with her neighbours, except one whose problem he doesn’t understand well.
The Head of State who was speaking at the closing of the two-day Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) Extended National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday said that Rwanda’s interest is to co-exist peacefully with her neighbours for the country’s own benefit.
President Kagame, who is also the chairman of the ruling party, said that ties between Rwanda and her four neighbours are looking good, except for one neighbour to the north -Uganda, whose problem with Rwanda he has failed to understand.
“With Burundi, we are on the right track. Together we are looking to address the issues between us and get our relations back on track. Burundi has shown interest to do so and we are also doing the same,” President Kagame told the over 650 party members and invited guests.
On the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Kagame said the issues that affected relations between the two countries were addressed and the two countries are co-existing in a mutual and cordial manner.
“For Tanzania, we never had any problem with the country. We work together on many things. Our northern neighbours have an issue with us. It is a country I grew up in, lived in and worked for, but today if you ask me the issue they have with us, I cannot explain it,” President Kagame said.
President Kagame however emphasized that Rwanda is focussed on ensuring its own stability and security as well as pursuing her development ambitions, rather than dwelling on others or what they are doing.
“What Rwanda wants is peace, and the freedom to carry forward the business of transforming our country. We do not want to stand in anyone’s way nor do we want anyone to stand in our way,”
“For things to move forward, you have to look inward. If you want to live in a house without being rained on, without fearing that anyone will come to steal from you, you must build a strong house,” President Kagame said.
He pointed out that rather than spending sleepless nights standing guard, build a strong house, on a solid foundation, surrounded by a solid fence to protect you and a strong roof to prevent leakage.
“Build a house with a foundation strong enough that the wind cannot blow it away,” he said, every Rwandan, young or old, needs to know that’s how the country works.
“Our focus is to keep doing the right thing and that protects us from those who wish us harm. Those who have been insulting us or accusing us of different things cannot deny our achievements,”
“We have our own identity, and context. We have to accomplish more with less. If you start to do things because that is how it is done elsewhere, that will not be fulfilling the values of the RPF. Our uniqueness lies in the fact that the solutions to our challenges have been unique,” President Kagame said.
Muse, Duclert Reports
Discussions on Day 2 centred on Justice and the Genocide against the Tutsi, including a presentation on Muse Report about the role of France in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, while reflecting on the findings of the Duclert Commission report as well.
the State Minister for Constitutional Affairs, Solina Nyirahabimana, gave a brief presentation on the Muse Report and its importance in bringing truth to light and what it means for the future and for the generations to come.
The panel had the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Johnton Busingye, State Minister Nyirahabimana, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide, Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana, Sandrine Maziyateke from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Monique Huss, a Genocide survivor.
Minister Busingye said that the two reports, more than anything, will bring history clarity, 27 years later and pave way for a better understanding of issues much as it took long, rather than looking at it as launchpad for investigations and court cases.
He said that for decades theories and narratives have been advanced to misconstrue the truth but Rwanda consistently stayed the course, maintaining the facts as it did in the Mucyo report, pointing out that the Duclert Commission report only confirmed what was already known.
“The most important takeaway from the two reports (Muse and Duclert reports) is that Genocide fugitives whom we are looking for to account for the Genocide crimes have lost the support of France. It will make the work to apprehend them easy,”
Dr. Bizimana said that while the Duclert Report stated that the French government blindly supported the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Muse Report puts the facts the way they are; a deliberate support of the Genocide.
“The war against double Genocide that we are fighting today started sometime in 1994 towards the end of the Genocide, when then French President Mitterrand and his close advisors started propagating lies that RPF had killed civilians during the liberation struggle,”
Minister Gatabazi said that as a 22-year-old who lived in Byumba in the early 1990s saw French soldiers on the frontline and what they were doing to safeguard President Juvenal Habyarimana’s government.
“We talked to them and they would proudly tell us that they were there to fight alongside Hutus against what they called Tutsi aggression. They described RPF as a group of Tutsis who were foreigners. We saw them bringing guns and arming the Habyarimana army,” Gatabazi said.
Monique Huss narrated her painful story of survival and losing her father and siblings killed by Interahamwe at Kabuye, Jabana Sector in Gasabo district while she miraculously survived with her mother, who had been hacked, and her little sister after they were rescued by the advancing RPF fighters.
“As a Genocide survivor, documents like Muse Report help us with the difficult task of explaining what we went through, especially to our children,”
“This report will therefore supplement others before it to explain this difficult chapter of our history which some people want to negate, deny or trivialize,” Huss said, thanking the Government and the First Lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame for the support she was afforded and other genocide survivors to remain resilient.
Uwimbabazi Maziyateke, who is the Director of the Rwanda Community Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that as a child of an Ex-FAR, she faced an identity crisis, having grown up in the Belgium and studied in the U.S but could not identify herself as a Rwandan because of her past.
“Growing up I was told all sorts of bad things about Rwanda as I became curious to know my country. I was told I would be killed, like many youths in my category, who are normally made to believe that Rwanda is a dangerous place to live in,”
“I was curious to know my country. Luckily, there was a Rwanda Day in Brussels and I decided to go against all odds and attend it. What I found was the opposite of what I had been told. I saw happy people waving flags, listening to their leader and they had a vision,” she recalled.
From then on, she developed curiosity to come to Rwanda and when she did, she was warmly welcomed. She has never looked back.
The father of a young woman who tragically passed away last year during a Rwanda Patriotic Front-Inkotanyi presidential campaign in Rubavu District has received support from party members as part of their gesture of condolence.
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