Rwanda's Kagame, Rwigyema honoured

Jul 05, 2007

PRESIDENT Paul Kagame has been awarded the Order of Honour of the Rwanda Defence Forces for his role in leading the armed struggle that liberated the country in 1994. The medal is the country’s most prestigious award.

By Hellen Mukiibi
and Agencies


PRESIDENT Paul Kagame has been awarded the Order of Honour of the Rwanda Defence Forces for his role in leading the armed struggle that liberated the country in 1994. The medal is the country’s most prestigious award.

A total of 49 Rwanda war heroes, including priests and nuns, were awarded medals for their bravery and resilience in the campaign to liberate Rwandans, during the 13th anniversary of the Liberation Day, marked on Wednesday at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

They included serving military officers, fallen RPA commanders and civilians who helped liberate the country in 1994.
Rwanda war hero, the late Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigyema, was honoured posthumously.

His medal was received by his widow, Jeannette Rwigyema. Rwigyema, who led the RPA invasion from Uganda on October 1, 1990, died just a day later.

Earlier, he had served as deputy defence minister in Uganda and was among the 27 fighters who launched the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war in Uganda in 1981.

After NRA captured power in Uganda, Rwigyema and other Rwandan officers formed the RPA, which captured power in Rwanda in 1994.

Kagame was decorated by Gen. James Kabarebe, the Rwanda Defence Forces’ Chief of General Staff. According to the Kigali-based The New Times, others decorated included Lt. Gen. Charles Muhire, the Chief of Staff Air Force, Brig. Gen. Sam Kanyemera Kaka, and retired colonels Dodo Twahirwa, Thaddeus Gashumba and Charles Musitu.

Twelve deceased officers honoured posthumously included majors Peter Bayingana, Chris Bunyenyezi, Adam Wasswa, Col. Steven Ndugute and Sam Byaruhanga. All of them had also served in the NRA.

Fifteen civilians were awarded the National Liberation Medal. They included priests and nuns: Sr. Helene Nayituriki, Sr. Jean de la Croix Ramutsa, Felicien Hamizi, Fr. Oscar Nkundayezu and Sosthene Niyitegeka.

“All the people who received medals today got them for what they made this country. Let us all not leave it at what they achieved, we should instead build on it to take our country further,” Kagame told jubilant crowds at the stadium.

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