Last week saw the murder of Leonarld Rugambage, the editor of the suspended Umuvugizi newspaper, since then, most media are saying that President Kagame is behind it. This morning, the Ugandan media reported massive deployment of troops along the Uganda/Rwanda border! On Friday, Rwandan police arrested 20-30 people after that illegaly demostrated in Kigali. This morning again, BBC reported that refugees are harassed in Uganda to go back to their homes and that once in Rwanda, they are harassed and prosecuted by security services.
In my view, I think some people are trying to use this pre-election period to raise the negative profile of the current government and portray it as an evil enterprise.
On the journalist death, all media are basing their allegations on Gasasira's testimony which does not give any serious facts on why he thinks Kagame's government killed the journalists. Yes, the newspaper was suspended but that itself cannot be a proof!
On the refugees issues, I was stuck by the fact that BBC, a professional media body did not talk to Rwandan government about the issue nor did they say whether the government refused to do so. To me, this is an indication that somebody is trying to influence people! The same story with Rwanda troops along the Ugandan border, again nobody asked the minister of defence or the army chief of staff about this?
In my opinion, the current government has done a lot in this country but also some bad things. However, we should stick to professionalism and avoid misinterpretation of any sort!
Monday, 28 June 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Should Tutsis fear of a Hutu President in Rwanda or not?
Netters,
allow me today to be a bit stubborn and ask a crazy question: "Should Tutsis fear of a Hutu President in Rwanda or not?"
This is a genuine question and please if you would like to share your ideas, do so in the respect of my opinion. I am not a Kagame supporter nor anyone's supporter! I am just a genocide survivor willing to survive!
I would be lying if I say that I did not enjoy the fact that Kagame (a tutsi) has been the President of Rwanda for some years now.
During the after-genocide period, I managed to finish my high school studies and got a scholarship for university from which I graduated from few years ago. I would be unfair if I don't say that this was not a priviledge like it used to be in this country, indeed Didier, a neighbour whose father killed my relatives graduated in the same year (with a government scholarship too).
When I go to the sector office for any service, nobody can dare throw me out and tell me 'wa gatutsi we' like it used to be in the past! And when I go to enjoy a good and cold Mutzig (I really enjoy it by the way), I don't enter in bars with my head turned down as my father used to do 20 years or so ago!
I am not saying that 'tout est rose' but that the life I live today is by far different to what my father lived (may he rest in peace).
Then the question is "Should I trust that I would enjoy the same if a Hutu President was in power?"
Yves
allow me today to be a bit stubborn and ask a crazy question: "Should Tutsis fear of a Hutu President in Rwanda or not?"
This is a genuine question and please if you would like to share your ideas, do so in the respect of my opinion. I am not a Kagame supporter nor anyone's supporter! I am just a genocide survivor willing to survive!
I would be lying if I say that I did not enjoy the fact that Kagame (a tutsi) has been the President of Rwanda for some years now.
During the after-genocide period, I managed to finish my high school studies and got a scholarship for university from which I graduated from few years ago. I would be unfair if I don't say that this was not a priviledge like it used to be in this country, indeed Didier, a neighbour whose father killed my relatives graduated in the same year (with a government scholarship too).
When I go to the sector office for any service, nobody can dare throw me out and tell me 'wa gatutsi we' like it used to be in the past! And when I go to enjoy a good and cold Mutzig (I really enjoy it by the way), I don't enter in bars with my head turned down as my father used to do 20 years or so ago!
I am not saying that 'tout est rose' but that the life I live today is by far different to what my father lived (may he rest in peace).
Then the question is "Should I trust that I would enjoy the same if a Hutu President was in power?"
Yves
Monday, 21 June 2010
The Killer arrested in South Africa
I was surprised to learnt that the suspected shooter of Gen Nyamwasa was arrested in Joh'burg. What did not surprise me is that the man is a former Rwandan soldier!
As I put in my previous post, it probably confirms that something rotten is going on at the top of Rwandan leadership.
For more info, read this article from the South Africa Times newspaper
MAY GOD SAVE RWANDA
As I put in my previous post, it probably confirms that something rotten is going on at the top of Rwandan leadership.
For more info, read this article from the South Africa Times newspaper
MAY GOD SAVE RWANDA
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Bang! And the man was shot in the stomach
It was around 7pm on Saturday 19th June when a friend called and asked me to immediately rush home as something was going to happen! Ten minutes later, another friend called and said "please go home and read news on igihe.com"!
Half an hour later, I was home, straight to my laptop, connecting to Internet to read some news. Like you probably did, I learnt that Gen Nyamwasa was shot in the stomach in Johannesburg!
In that evening, while in comfort of my couch, few observations came clear in my mind:
1. The situation we are living now in Kigali is almost exactly what was in town in late 1993! People were making sure they are at home before sunset, rumors were going on, etc.
2. It seems that some people are making sure that we are entertained. Who said that every week or so, we need to have such news? We haven't yet put a period on Eirlinder saga and bang, the General is shot in the stomach.
3. Could the shooting of the General be just a simple crime in crime country? I would bet that it is not! With the World Cup going on, security was strengten in South Africa that I don't see just a simple thief shooting on anyone there! In fact, we should have heard many incidents like this if it was the case, as almost every media outlets on earth has presence in South Africa!
4. I believe that somebody in Rwandan Government is messing up! Indeed, he is not helping any body else except probably himself! Rwandans have had their share of problems and should be given peace. I was talking to my friends yesterday and we were wondering whether we should be moving out of country! And one of them said: "You know, if we had move out before the genocide, we would probably be speaking Luganda or Lingala and our families would still be alive!"
Then, the question is: "SHOULD WE PRAY A LOT AND HOPE THAT NOTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN or SHOULD WE FIGHT WITH IDEAS FOR A CHANGE?"
BANANGEEE!
Half an hour later, I was home, straight to my laptop, connecting to Internet to read some news. Like you probably did, I learnt that Gen Nyamwasa was shot in the stomach in Johannesburg!
In that evening, while in comfort of my couch, few observations came clear in my mind:
1. The situation we are living now in Kigali is almost exactly what was in town in late 1993! People were making sure they are at home before sunset, rumors were going on, etc.
2. It seems that some people are making sure that we are entertained. Who said that every week or so, we need to have such news? We haven't yet put a period on Eirlinder saga and bang, the General is shot in the stomach.
3. Could the shooting of the General be just a simple crime in crime country? I would bet that it is not! With the World Cup going on, security was strengten in South Africa that I don't see just a simple thief shooting on anyone there! In fact, we should have heard many incidents like this if it was the case, as almost every media outlets on earth has presence in South Africa!
4. I believe that somebody in Rwandan Government is messing up! Indeed, he is not helping any body else except probably himself! Rwandans have had their share of problems and should be given peace. I was talking to my friends yesterday and we were wondering whether we should be moving out of country! And one of them said: "You know, if we had move out before the genocide, we would probably be speaking Luganda or Lingala and our families would still be alive!"
Then, the question is: "SHOULD WE PRAY A LOT AND HOPE THAT NOTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN or SHOULD WE FIGHT WITH IDEAS FOR A CHANGE?"
BANANGEEE!
Thursday, 17 June 2010
The old, eccentric and depressed lawyer finally out of prison
Yesterday, 17th June, Pete Eirlinder was released on bail by the Kigali High Court. For humanitarian reasons, yes, I believe that he should be allowed to get out of prison. On other hand, this whole saga has brought to me some satisfactions:
1. Genocide denials and negationists should know that Rwanda's government will not tolerate their actions. They can write and talk whatever they like in their country but for God's sake THEY SHOULD NOT PUSH TOO FAR and come to revive our sadness of losing our families.
2. Western countries should not think that we cannot prosecute their citizens just because they are politically and economically strong. I would like to conglatulate the US government, unlike individual americans, did not at any time ask the Government of Rwanda to release him except for health reasons.
To those who think that Kagame (and his fellow tutsis) is benifiting from the genocide, I tell them STOP being cynical. And if I was like them, I would tell them: "I wish you could loose your family, relatives and friends, and benifit from that!
to conclude I want to say that I am not a Kagame's supporter, in fact, they are a lot of his policy and actions that I do not like at all BUT I believe that Tutsis should defend themselves and not at any time soften their position on the genocide. If the Jews had at any time did so, they wouldn't be ISRAEL.
Good day.
1. Genocide denials and negationists should know that Rwanda's government will not tolerate their actions. They can write and talk whatever they like in their country but for God's sake THEY SHOULD NOT PUSH TOO FAR and come to revive our sadness of losing our families.
2. Western countries should not think that we cannot prosecute their citizens just because they are politically and economically strong. I would like to conglatulate the US government, unlike individual americans, did not at any time ask the Government of Rwanda to release him except for health reasons.
To those who think that Kagame (and his fellow tutsis) is benifiting from the genocide, I tell them STOP being cynical. And if I was like them, I would tell them: "I wish you could loose your family, relatives and friends, and benifit from that!
to conclude I want to say that I am not a Kagame's supporter, in fact, they are a lot of his policy and actions that I do not like at all BUT I believe that Tutsis should defend themselves and not at any time soften their position on the genocide. If the Jews had at any time did so, they wouldn't be ISRAEL.
Good day.
The text below was extracted from an anonymous post on Facebook. I found it very interesting and inspirational and I thought I should share it with you.
'Get a degree and get a good paying job', gold advice from my father!
Get a degree and get a good paying job! That was my daily father’s piece of advice when I was a teenager until I got my first job at 24. Of course before that I would hear from my father that if I am the first in my class, I would get a bicycle or something else exciting for a child.
After graduating and getting my ‘good paying job’, I thought I had landed in heaven. I was paid 300.000 francs and trust it was a HUGE sum of money after four years getting five thousands as a university student allowance. Few months ahead, I was in trouble.
Unfortunately, in my 24 years of experience on earth I have not had the opportunity to learn money skills. In the first few months of employment, I was really enjoying. I would go out on Fridays and Saturdays with my pals and it was very easy getting chicks to accompany me. However, I got quickly frustrated by the amount of money I would pay to taxis on my go-out evenings. Obviously I could not pay a boda-boda for my chicks! Besides that, James, David and so many of my pals had already their own cars and competition was getting hard.
In my sixth month of employment I got a loan from BCR to buy a Toyota Carina E and of course the bank would deduct 125.000 francs from my account every month.
It did not take long for me to realise that it was not going to work. Despite the money I had to pay each month, I had also to continue entertaining my pals and going out with chicks (and indeed they were even more interested in me!). I started borrowing money from friends to buy fuels
After 2 years of struggling, I got a solution. I had to get a ‘good paying’ job or get a promotion. I started taking a serious look to the job adverts in the New Times and Imvaho. After few month of applying I got a nice job in an international organisation. My salary doubled immediately.
However, it was not the end of my problems. Actually my situation got even worse! With my little money skills, I found myself going to even more expensive places. I could not drink mutzig any more! Heineken was a minimum when I was not having chivas, martel and similar to-avoid-liquors (otherwise why would I mix them with a coke!).
After 3 years, I could breathe! I had repaid the loan. In the mean time, I had found a serious, ambitious, intelligent and beautiful fiancé. And things went very quickly and before I could realise, I was married!!
After few house move (rents can double over night you know), my wife started telling me that we should start the construction of our own house. And she would say: ‘do you know that David and Doreen have moved to Kimironko? At least, they are clever to get a loan from the bank and to build their own house!’
My mates, with whom I liked to go out with, would tell me the same thing. And my bank’s credit agent was just impressive. ‘You know Claude, a house is a good asset. You should seriously consider a house loan and with your good salary you can afford it. Do you know that the average price of houses has doubled in the last ten years?’
Of course with pressures coming from everywhere, I did not take me long to get a loan and construct a house in Kiyovu. It was a nice house and I would enjoy it with my wife, Prince and Queen (yes, in the mean time we were busy making babies!). I was enjoying the house yes, but not paying back the loan each month. Besides that, raising children was another challenge. I had the choice for my children to go to EPA school or Intwali in Nyamirambo or, go to Green Hills or La colombiere. Of course, they went to La Colombiere.
Those who have or have had children there would know how expensive it can be! As a results I was back at the borrowing my friends some money situation. In the same time, I was doing well in my career. The desire to get more pay was winning, I got promoted and I was getting (relatively) better paid. Nevertheless, I was still having financial problems. I could not afford to go out with friends. My excuse was that I did not like going to bars anymore but the true reason was that I could not afford it anymore. Meanwhile, my car was aging. The garage budget line was going up. Indeed every budget line was going up: Children’s education, entertainment (dstv), wedding contributions, etc.
After 30 years of service, I am now retired. I am now dependent on Caisse Sociale tri-monthly payment. By the way, why don’t I get my money every month? As far as I know I paid my contribution on a monthly basis! What about Caisse Sociale staff, do they get paid every three months. I should probably pop in Gaperi’s office and I ask him the question.
Meanwhile, the same Caisse Sociale together with Kigali City has demolished my house in Kiyovu. Yes, in my career I managed to acquire two assets (as my banker would say). My other house in Kimicanga is awaiting the same fate! In fact, its roof is now leaking but I cannot do anything about it! What would I tell if the Umudugudu chief comes to my house? Well, I can still give him a kick back but that’s another story. Supposedly, we are about to be moved from that area. Oh my God!
Coming back to the Kiyovu story, I finally got some few millions from Kigali City. Of course, not without some wrangles with the administration. Should I mention how some of us, our houses were demolished while we were still in? No, probably. May be next time!
I used the money to buy a small farm on the way to Rwamagana just after Kabuga town. It was great for me, actually I was tired of the Kigali’s stress. What a wonderful way to retire! I bought some jersey cows, you know how productive they are! Now, I am enjoying my retirement.
Obviously, I do not have many leisure alternatives. Apart from taking care of my cows, I can have Urwagwa (local brew) with my illiterate neighbors. Forget the politic talks I used to have with my neighbors in Kigali or my good times with the Imikeke (veterans football club) friends on Sundays followed with the last-one and no-ending third half! Yes, we used to take the last one at least ten times!
Meanwhile, Prince and Queen have now graduated. Life is getting tough; it is hard for them to get time to pay me a visit. They are now busy struggling to the next pay! They are working day and night to get promoted, therefore get a pay increase! Yes, you have it right. ANOTHER CYCLE HAS BEGUN.
'Get a degree and get a good paying job', gold advice from my father!
Get a degree and get a good paying job! That was my daily father’s piece of advice when I was a teenager until I got my first job at 24. Of course before that I would hear from my father that if I am the first in my class, I would get a bicycle or something else exciting for a child.
After graduating and getting my ‘good paying job’, I thought I had landed in heaven. I was paid 300.000 francs and trust it was a HUGE sum of money after four years getting five thousands as a university student allowance. Few months ahead, I was in trouble.
Unfortunately, in my 24 years of experience on earth I have not had the opportunity to learn money skills. In the first few months of employment, I was really enjoying. I would go out on Fridays and Saturdays with my pals and it was very easy getting chicks to accompany me. However, I got quickly frustrated by the amount of money I would pay to taxis on my go-out evenings. Obviously I could not pay a boda-boda for my chicks! Besides that, James, David and so many of my pals had already their own cars and competition was getting hard.
In my sixth month of employment I got a loan from BCR to buy a Toyota Carina E and of course the bank would deduct 125.000 francs from my account every month.
It did not take long for me to realise that it was not going to work. Despite the money I had to pay each month, I had also to continue entertaining my pals and going out with chicks (and indeed they were even more interested in me!). I started borrowing money from friends to buy fuels
After 2 years of struggling, I got a solution. I had to get a ‘good paying’ job or get a promotion. I started taking a serious look to the job adverts in the New Times and Imvaho. After few month of applying I got a nice job in an international organisation. My salary doubled immediately.
However, it was not the end of my problems. Actually my situation got even worse! With my little money skills, I found myself going to even more expensive places. I could not drink mutzig any more! Heineken was a minimum when I was not having chivas, martel and similar to-avoid-liquors (otherwise why would I mix them with a coke!).
After 3 years, I could breathe! I had repaid the loan. In the mean time, I had found a serious, ambitious, intelligent and beautiful fiancé. And things went very quickly and before I could realise, I was married!!
After few house move (rents can double over night you know), my wife started telling me that we should start the construction of our own house. And she would say: ‘do you know that David and Doreen have moved to Kimironko? At least, they are clever to get a loan from the bank and to build their own house!’
My mates, with whom I liked to go out with, would tell me the same thing. And my bank’s credit agent was just impressive. ‘You know Claude, a house is a good asset. You should seriously consider a house loan and with your good salary you can afford it. Do you know that the average price of houses has doubled in the last ten years?’
Of course with pressures coming from everywhere, I did not take me long to get a loan and construct a house in Kiyovu. It was a nice house and I would enjoy it with my wife, Prince and Queen (yes, in the mean time we were busy making babies!). I was enjoying the house yes, but not paying back the loan each month. Besides that, raising children was another challenge. I had the choice for my children to go to EPA school or Intwali in Nyamirambo or, go to Green Hills or La colombiere. Of course, they went to La Colombiere.
Those who have or have had children there would know how expensive it can be! As a results I was back at the borrowing my friends some money situation. In the same time, I was doing well in my career. The desire to get more pay was winning, I got promoted and I was getting (relatively) better paid. Nevertheless, I was still having financial problems. I could not afford to go out with friends. My excuse was that I did not like going to bars anymore but the true reason was that I could not afford it anymore. Meanwhile, my car was aging. The garage budget line was going up. Indeed every budget line was going up: Children’s education, entertainment (dstv), wedding contributions, etc.
After 30 years of service, I am now retired. I am now dependent on Caisse Sociale tri-monthly payment. By the way, why don’t I get my money every month? As far as I know I paid my contribution on a monthly basis! What about Caisse Sociale staff, do they get paid every three months. I should probably pop in Gaperi’s office and I ask him the question.
Meanwhile, the same Caisse Sociale together with Kigali City has demolished my house in Kiyovu. Yes, in my career I managed to acquire two assets (as my banker would say). My other house in Kimicanga is awaiting the same fate! In fact, its roof is now leaking but I cannot do anything about it! What would I tell if the Umudugudu chief comes to my house? Well, I can still give him a kick back but that’s another story. Supposedly, we are about to be moved from that area. Oh my God!
Coming back to the Kiyovu story, I finally got some few millions from Kigali City. Of course, not without some wrangles with the administration. Should I mention how some of us, our houses were demolished while we were still in? No, probably. May be next time!
I used the money to buy a small farm on the way to Rwamagana just after Kabuga town. It was great for me, actually I was tired of the Kigali’s stress. What a wonderful way to retire! I bought some jersey cows, you know how productive they are! Now, I am enjoying my retirement.
Obviously, I do not have many leisure alternatives. Apart from taking care of my cows, I can have Urwagwa (local brew) with my illiterate neighbors. Forget the politic talks I used to have with my neighbors in Kigali or my good times with the Imikeke (veterans football club) friends on Sundays followed with the last-one and no-ending third half! Yes, we used to take the last one at least ten times!
Meanwhile, Prince and Queen have now graduated. Life is getting tough; it is hard for them to get time to pay me a visit. They are now busy struggling to the next pay! They are working day and night to get promoted, therefore get a pay increase! Yes, you have it right. ANOTHER CYCLE HAS BEGUN.
Why blogging?
I have thought about blogging for some time but had failed to take the decision. Not because I have no ideas to share but with the potential burden thay may come with blogging (not sure why I should blog at all if it is sustainable!).
What made me change my position?
I think that in Rwanda, we lack a sense of debate! Rwandans are not usually ready to debate, to hear somebody criticising anything they say or do. And in my opinion, it is this kind of situation that caused many of the problems we have had in the past. For example, a lot of blogs written on Rwanda are usually written by non-Rwandans!
Why don't Rwandans like debates of ideas?
Personnaly, I think it has to do with our culture. Since our childhood we are told what to do, how to behave and what is right and what is wrong to the extent that we do not actually think for ourselves, rather we rely on others' judgements. In that context, it is not safe to challenge ideas.
Additionally, too many people suffered because of their franche talking (not sure this make sense in good English). Therefore, people avoid to create problems.
What will my blog cover?
I will touch on everything that matters to Rwandans. Politics (of course, you can't avoid this), economy, life skills, genocide, genocide ideology, etc..
Your feedback will be helpful
I am not a professional writer and my ideas are not always straight. I would be really grateful if you could send me your comments (isonga2005@yahoo.fr) on anything I should improve.
Yves
What made me change my position?
I think that in Rwanda, we lack a sense of debate! Rwandans are not usually ready to debate, to hear somebody criticising anything they say or do. And in my opinion, it is this kind of situation that caused many of the problems we have had in the past. For example, a lot of blogs written on Rwanda are usually written by non-Rwandans!
Why don't Rwandans like debates of ideas?
Personnaly, I think it has to do with our culture. Since our childhood we are told what to do, how to behave and what is right and what is wrong to the extent that we do not actually think for ourselves, rather we rely on others' judgements. In that context, it is not safe to challenge ideas.
Additionally, too many people suffered because of their franche talking (not sure this make sense in good English). Therefore, people avoid to create problems.
What will my blog cover?
I will touch on everything that matters to Rwandans. Politics (of course, you can't avoid this), economy, life skills, genocide, genocide ideology, etc..
Your feedback will be helpful
I am not a professional writer and my ideas are not always straight. I would be really grateful if you could send me your comments (isonga2005@yahoo.fr) on anything I should improve.
Yves
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