Britain Suspends President Kagame’s Visit

Queen Elizabeth warns Rwanda of its dubious diplomatic Incidences

From UMUVUGIZI NEWSPAPER
The British government has surprisingly suspended President Paul Kagame’s planned  visit which was schedule to take place between July 18 and 24th.  During the same visit, Kagame was expected to feature as the guest of honour at a Rwandan youth convention known as Itorero.
Reliable sources confirm that Rwandan Diaspora in the United Kingdom is preparing to foot the expenses incurred in organising the halted presidential visit to the UK.
The suspended planned visit comes days after the British government warned Kigali authorities against political activities carried out by Rwanda’s ruling party the RPF on British soil which are said to be targeting Rwandan refugees living in the country.
Recently, the British Scotland yard Police and M15 sent a warning notice to members of Rwandan opposition living in UK, warning them of possible security threats. The same police sent a warning to Rwanda’s Embassy in the UK  informing them that  tough diplomatic measures would be taken if  members of the mission don’t stop in activities incompatible  with their status .
A former Rwandan military intelligence official living in Belgium was suspected of involvement  in similar incidences and he was stopped from entering the UK . Another Rwandan spy, one Rubagumya was also arrested in Uganda on related Incidences .
All these events follow a series of meetings held by Rwanda’s key security officials around Europe. One of such meetings was held on January 15 in London chaired by the Chief Spy Colonel. Dr. Emmanuel Ndahiro, in attendance was Rwandan Ambassador to Britain Ernest Rwamucyo, others at the meeting were Rwandan security operatives Jimmy Uwizeye, Col. Mupenzi , Linda, Lt. Tom Rwabugiri, and the representative of the Rwandan Diaspora in Britain Mr. Mugabo.
Despite different pieces of evidence attained by British secret services implicating Rwandan Government in dubious activities  against its critics in UK, ,president Kagame recently dramatically denied he’s Government’s Involvement in these  allegations and instead  accused respected British security services of not being professional .
Although UK is one of Rwanda’s key donors, it has maintained that it’s  support is strictly based on mutual interests of respecting universal jurisdiction ,Freedom of press , Freedom of expression and respecting value of citizens.
Suspending President Kagame’s visit sends a strong warning that the donor community and the entire European continent is interested in seeing a responsible government in Rwanda that is accountable to the citizens rather than one that is bent on using the donors’ money in expanding the spy network that is cracking down its citizens in exile.
Johnson , Europe .

In Rwanda: What to expect from the divided RPF “family”.

From RWANDANEWS

Tutsi Soldiers mutilating a Hutu young lady in DRC 1997

As the saying goes, when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. The feud between Kayumba Nyamwasa et al. and Paul Kagame is likely to have a far from pleasant end. The peasants might once again be entangled into a conflict they little understand and as a result, forced to pay a heavy price.

The wrangle between the two heavyweights seems to have reached a point of no return. What is now left is a dog-eats-dog strategy, or an equivalent of the Darwinian survival for the fittest. This was the message directly implied when Kayumba was shot last year in the streets of Johannesburg. Kayumba and his family believe that the government is still trying to kill them. For Mr. Kagame, actions speak louder than words!

But is Kayumba hitting back as well? This is hard to tell. At the moment, there is no clear evidence that this might be the case, although the Rwandan government has accused him of forming terror zones within the country. Knowing that Kayumba was the chief of the Rwandan army for many years, and is still said to be very popular among the ranks of the military, everything is possible. Moreover, some claim that he enjoys very strong ties with the Ugandan government. The thought of him mobilizing a fighting force, no doubt exaggerated at the moment, is not a complete impossibility.

As of yesterday, the government of Rwanda claims to have arrested five dissidents, including a colonel in the Rwandan army. They are accused of planning sabotage attacks against Rwanda under Kayumba’s authority. Of course, such accusations need to be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, these are the exact same charges that are always leveled on political dissidents in Rwanda. If so, it might be the case of a boy crying wolf.

As expected, Kayumba’s vehemently denied any links to the arrested individuals. Because this is the first time that an insider of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) is wrestling with the regime, it might be hard to tell where the truth lies.

We know that an investigative report released by the United Nations earlier this month refuted any links between Kayumba et al and other fighting groups based in the DRC such as FDLR and RUD Urunana. We also know that it is in Kagame’s best interest to portray Kayumba as a military trouble maker who is threatening Tutsi hegemony by collaborating with Hutu extremists. In Kagame’s threatening words, he is “excrement” that must be eliminated from the body.

As I said in my post earlier, these are troubling times in Rwanda. The “warrior refugees” that once won the praise of Philip Gourevtitch now have guns pointed at each other. They threaten the stability of a country they fought for and some of them have already been exiled again. It is not a pretty sight.

To be honest, Kayumba’s opposition to Kagame bears more hope for democracy than an event in Rwanda’s recent history. Kayumba has challenged Kagame’s totalitarian control in a way that leaves the man humbled. He often likes to say that, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. By extension, Kayumba, at least in rhetoric, wants the RPF to undergo a process of reformation; which will allow for competitive politics.

Part of Kayumba’s problem with the RPF party is that Kagame has personalized it. He has built a personality cult akin to that of the late Juvenal Habyarimana. As such, Kayumba and other RPF compatriots feel their vision betrayed. They are longing for change.

It needs to be emphasized that the RPF, under Paul Kagame, has been a major stumbling block to democratic reform. They have established complete control over the military, the church and the civil society. They are like the despot king who must die in order for democracy to arise. We also need to be aware that Kayumba et al. were the yesterday’s champions of this corrupted system. But human being can learn from their mistakes. And there are few untainted hands in Rwanda.

I may not be a fan of Kayumba et al., but I think they deserve a chance. After all, they are Rwandans as well and their love for the country is evident. So far, they have been busy trying to spearhead for reconciliation among the Diaspora of Hutus and Tutsis. They efforts seem to be wielding success. In particular, Theogene Rudasingwa, the group’s most vocal member, has shown the willingness to acknowledge the crimes committed by the RPF against Hutu civilians. This is a BIG and unprecedented step—one that needs to be celebrated. By any indications, Rudasingwa looks like a reformed man who is hungry for peace and reconciliation. Rwanda desperately needs more of his kind.

I view the confrontations as a necessary step for Rwanda’s rebirth. It is completely disheartening to think that the peasants will once again bear the brunt. However, can there be gain without pain? Are the peasants better off under a cruel dictatorship? I welcome comments from my readers

Rwanda: Police manhunt for an opposition member in Gisagara District, Southern Province

by Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for President

 On 6th June 2011, FDU-Inkingi informed the public about a spree of night gun murders in parts of Rwanda and particularly in Gisagara District (Southern Province). The police accused the opposition party of trying to rush to the media before reporting the incidents.
 Since then, a police manhunt for an FDU-Inkingi opposition member, Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana, resident of Gisagara District started.  From the 25th June, deployments of mobile police and night army patrols sent residents of Higiro location (Sector Nyanza, Gisagara District) in panic.
 That same day, the Executive of Higiro location, Madame Niwebasa Assumpta, expelled Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana, FDU-Inkingi member, from the Umuganda community work in Nyanza sector and stated that “nobody should worry about what will happen to that FDLR supporter and to those opposed to the ruling RPF”. At 16:00, the police searched his house and failed to arrest him. At 20:00, with nosearch warrant, 6 army men , a local defence staff and a civilian night patrol stormed his house, searched and arrested his wife who was later released.
 Many months before on 12th November 2010, the police abducted Mr. Jean Bosco Hanganimana from the hospital and detained him for 19 days for unknown charges. There were allegations of abuse and torture. He was reportedly attacked because he belongs to the opposition party FDU-Inkingi.
 The party FDU-Inkingi is calling upon the Government to investigate and to ensure that the local autorities and security services respect the basic rights of citizens.

FDU-Inkingi
Twagirimana Boniface
Interim Vice President

FDU:Bail granted to some opposition members, but silence on torture inquiry

Bail granted to some opposition members, but silence on torture inquiry.

FDU:PRESS RELEASE, Kigali, July 09th 2010.

Today, a Kigali Court freed on bail some opposition members but remained silent on calls for torture inquiry. Mr. Bernard Ntaganda, the founding President of PS Imberakuri is denied bail while Ms. Alice Muhirwa, FDU-INKINGI Treasurer, is to appear again.

Two days ago, the national electoral commission released its official list of 4 presidential candidates, all members of the ruling system. We wonder why they spend national resources in such an obvious masquerade instead of informing Rwandans and the international community that the incumbent is not ready for any serious election.

The regime is not ready for fair and transparent elections: opposition parties are crushed; their leaders are jailed and tortured; lawyers are incarcerated; two independent newspapers are banned; the journalist Jean Léonard Rugambage was murdered on 24th June 2010 and the journalist Nkusi Uwimana Agnes (Umurabyo newspaper) was arrested yesterday.



During the court hearings, incarcerated members of the opposition have shown wounds and marks of torture left on their skins, heads, arms and legs. Meanwhile Ms. Alice Muhirwa, kicked many times in the stomach by police officers and denied until medical care was rushed to a police hospital after she collapsed in front of the judge. This did not spare her from a governmental media lynching aired by a police spokesperson accusing her to fake horrific torture and bleeding.

All the victims of this police brutality spree have informed the court about hate ethnic and racist abuses screamed by some enraged police officers. The government of Paul Kagame, if it did not order the torment, should provisionally suspend from their duties the officers involved in the torture allegations and pave the way to an independent inquiry.


For the sake of the stability and democratisation of our country, they have to drop all politically motivated charges against opposition members, register our political parties, postpone the election and allow us to take part in the process.

Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
FDU INKINGI, Chair.

Rwandan Female opposition politician Ms.Alice Muhirwa falls unconscious in court.

Rwandan Female opposition politician falls unconscious in court.
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Rwanda News Agency
7 July 2010

More than 10 hours of court proceedings left a female politician of the yet-to-be registered FDU-Inkingi group unconscious as her health deteriorated in court on Wednesday, RNA reports.

Alice Muhirwa, the treasurer of the FDU-Inkingi party of Victoire Ingabire fell to the ground and collapsed as she and seven other co-accused stood in the dock accused by the state of terrorism and taking part in an unlawful gathering on June 24.

Ms Muhirwa is part of the case in which ex-head of PS-Imberakuri, Bernard Ntaganda, have been dragged to court. Mr. Ntaganda is facing four counts including terrorism and ethnic divisionism.

They were paraded in court after being arrested on June 24, as they demonstrated at the US embassy against the electoral commission. Police said on the same day that it had rounded up some 30 people, including senior leaders of the three troubled opposition groups.

On Tuesday, prosecution brought the nine to court – but with Ntaganda charged separately from the other eight. He spent most of Tuesday defending himself – which was often countered by vigorous prosecution submissions. He has pleaded not guilty and instead wants bail.

On Wednesday, it had been expected that the eight co-accused would have their cases settled, but since 9 am local time till late in the evening, the two sides did not finalise their arguments.

During the morning session, the eight took turns denying any links to terrorism and dismissed prosecution claims that they had take part in the June protests. Prosecution had boxes of protest posters and crude weapons which were supposedly to be used to cause chaos on that day. According to a source, Ms. Muhirwa's lawyer tried to get a quick bail decision to let her see the doctor, but this was turned down by the judge.

In the afternoon session, Alice Muhirwa, a mother of two, collapsed. Prosecution says she has been admitted at the newly constructed state-of-the-art Police Hospital in Kacyiru. Her supporters are concerned that the police will falsify the medical report to cover up the alleged torture she claims to have endured.

A fellow party member claimed in a statement last week that she had been “bleeding due to kicks to her stomach”. They also said she has been denied access to a medical doctor.

Police dismissed the accusation claiming the International Committee of the Red Crescent (ICRC) had visited the suspects and that their family members were regularly visiting them.

Opposition leaders Frank Habineza and Victoire Ingabire looked on in court as their members faced hours of grilling.

The court ruled that it will wait to hear the defense of Alice Muhirwa on Thursday morning before making any decision on the bail application of all the accused.

Their main defense in court was showing they had been tortured in police custody and want medical help. The prosecution claims they are making up the medical concerns and wants them to stay in jail for another month as investigations continue