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| By Sulah Nuwamanya | | Sunday, 15 October 2006 | Rwanda, Uganda in reconciliation mood
As FDLR gets red warnings; KIST financial woos escalate
In the week,
wailing but mystic (ones school of thought) rhythmic calls hovered over the airwaves of one of our local-firing FM stations in town. Guess what? As Rwandans woke up for good hours of last Sunday, turned on their radio stations for relaxing hours, the voices of two great personalities echoed and hit listeners to interest.
The speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfred Mukezamfura as he appeared on Contact FM programme with Senator President Vincent Biruta to explain the procedures for passing laws in Parliament received serious diversionary bombshells from all corners of the country. At least 20 callers who were able to make their opinions on air demanded for the Speakers resignation and ultimately his head. Cause, its still a matter of suspect and deception (from whoever still wants him) protection, but his role during the 1994 Genocide that claimed over a million innocent Rwandans is currently a hot spot.
However, much as the honourable Speaker ornately
laboured to explain why he should not resign or face justice to legally explain his role during those 100 dark days, reality is there. The Speaker reportedly wrote articles out of his will (coercion dismissed) as an intellectual, a leader and mentally ok justifying why the bloodthirsty regime and its leader were good. The agenda and character of the regime is well known. The Judgment day is on the doorstep for truth to triumph over evil.
When the truth fails to reconcile with evil, more so when the responsible adamantly refuse to tell the truth of their certain actions and, at one point, time remains as the best judge. But the two countries that share an almost unique cultural-historic relationship realized that unity and reconciliation are the best pills to take at this time of relationship sickness.
Rwanda and Ugandan ministers were last week involved in a serious series of meetings aimed at nothing but mending the once excellent brotherly/sisterly ties. Yes,
it is time to come back together again especially now when Rwanda needs to join the East African Community.
The two countries and their people share a common destiny. The relationship goes mere bilateral ties to blood brotherhood. Rwandas imports from Uganda have more than doubled since 2005 and rising. This implies that Rwanda is a leading consumer of Ugandan products. According to reports, Uganda has registered more visitors from Rwanda than any other country, thus boosting its tourism industry. Our excellent relationship gives headache to terrorists of the two countries and is down in prayers for wider negative ties. Its up to our leaders from the two countries to realize the destiny of their people to live in peace and prosperity.
For the relationship to last forever, let talks bear fruits now as President Paul Kagame said to the ministers from the two countries during the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) conference Friday 13. Truth and openness beyond
suspicions must characterize the agenda for peace and stability of our ties. Continued visits and interactions of the two people must be made regular as old friends, old boys/girls, workmates and relatives will meet and smile once again. The two Presidents must resume their phone calls or even use the Internet (e-mails), thanks to ICT. Rwandans are looking forward for the Ugandan President visiting them for at least five days.
Ahhh, one is tempted once again to state that the presidential swap that was made on Thursday, October 12 during the Uganda 44th Independence Day celebrations by the two Foreign Affairs ministers should be made real for at least two days. Just imagine how it would be, ahhh, the enemies of the two countries would die of disappointment and heart attack.
With serious warnings from European Union to the so-called Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the Interahamwe forces scattered in Congo forests must be oozing tears of death.
Let them come out of the bush by denouncing their genocide ideologies. The government will do what it has done to Rwarakabijyes and many more now serving the Rwanda Defence Forces at even senior levels. Otherwise, the smoke of the bullet will black mamba you, and the testimonies are bitter to tell.
One is tempted to think that woos of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology have come to stay. From the students phone wrangles, the once praised institute for its academic goodness is now in serious financial crisis. Failing to meet almost all its expenses caused by unjustified, or call it unrealistic, expenditures, KIST needs rescuers or saviours. The government must intervene and investigate the origin with an aim of bringing the culprits to book.
Death penalty advocate
To extend a reconciliatory hand to the wrong doers and all those criminals of 1994, the ruling, Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), through its political
bureau chaired by its President, Paul Kagame, is floating the idea of scrapping off the evil scarecrow (death). But if criminals have refused to transcend their acts, even with death penalty, will they be scared by life imprisonment where they eat and live like the 19th century kings?
EAC smells
Rwandas quest and patience after long time of waiting to joint the East African Community (EAC /Federation) is becoming real and fruitful. The Government of Rwanda has received a nod on all key issues for its romantic entry into the bloc by signing key EAC deal. As the deal and struggle docks for a win, the country must be ready for challenges regarding meeting some conditionalities. Reforms into its legal system, especially customs laws, must be speeded up urgently. A lot of homework needs to be done, before we celebrate the win. Otherwise, all stakeholders and advocates of Rwandas entry into the community must be applauded.
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