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Rwanda, Uganda Can Talk Peace

The Monitor (Kampala)
OPINION
March 19, 2003
Posted to the web March 20, 2003

By David Bahati
Kampala
The Monitor report on 11 March about Rwandan soldiers massing at the border
brought back memories of the Rwanda Patriotic Army's (RPA) liberation war and
the damage it wrought on the people of Kabale.
I was just a little boy in 1991 Senior Five at Kigezi High School and I
remember the mood was one of sympathy with our brothers and sisters of Tutsi
origin.
We watched the war from our vantage point on the hill. Many of my schoolmates
joined up and died in that struggle. I will never forget my housemate, Fred
Buregyeya with whom we shared "esanga" (bushera) and spent the weird 'winter'
hours cracking books together. He did not have a chance to share the fruits of
his struggle.
As the war raged on, artillery shells started landing on the Uganda side of the
border in the sub-counties of Rubaya, Kamwezi and Kamugangunzi.
20 people died in Rubaya sub-county alone. People were displaced, property was
destroyed and a way of life was disrupted.
Schools were levelled. I remember visiting Kisibo Primary School in Karujanga
in Rubaya sub-county and could not believe that a school had ever existed there
before. Rubaya Tukore Cooperative Society lost 100 cows.
Over the years these losses were largely forgiven partly because people had no
choice but also because people thought it was a kind of 'just war' they
supported.
The people of Kabale fed and housed the RPA, guided them to their targets,
provided intelligence and carried their guns and ammunitions to the
battlefield.
After The Monitor published that article, I received and made calls back home.
One of my close friends from deep in the village of Ryakarimira told me: "I
feel fear in me that war might breakout, can't these people really appreciate
that we went through hell for the sake of the peace they are enjoying now".
Another one in town said, "life is going on normally in town and we appreciate
the security our government has provided but we really feel for the people near
the borders".
My mentor in the village Mzee Bagira told me, "these people (Rwandese) should
realize that we are one people, for example Kigezi was at one time part of
Rwanda, we have intermarried."
He then added: "Can't they solve their problem peacefully?"
It is not my purpose to apportion blame for the bad relations between our two
'sister' countries.
But it is bad enough that our fathers and mothers, cousins, uncles, brothers
and sisters in the border-lying areas have to be harshly reminded of the
sacrifices they made.
These people deserve gratitude and not another war. Surely President Paul
Kagame must understand this.
I am sure between him, President Yoweri Museveni and Ms Clare Short, they
should find a lasting peaceful solution whatever problems exist.

   

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