Some people think it's strange that I work for peace,
because I'm in the army.

RWANDA'S ROSE

But others are glad. They say to me,
"You waged war, and now you are waging peace!"

To Orwell Today,

Dear Jackie,

Thank you very much to have posted the WARRIORS on your website. I am very pleased to introduce a lady who is WAR HERO in our history - Lt Colonel ROSE KABUYE.

All the best,
Sharangabo Rufagari

Rwanda Rose

Spotlight on Rose Kabuye. The Initiative for Inclusive Security
Rose Kabuye was raised in a Ugandan refugee camp following her parents' flight from Rwanda because of Hutu-Tutsi violence. Upon finishing her university studies in 1985, she joined the fighting forces of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, an opposition movement and guerrilla army. She was appointed mayor of Kigali after the 1994 genocide and later served as a member of Parliament for two years, chairing the Security and Defense Committee. In charge of supplies and stores in the Rwandan army, Lieutenant Colonel Kabuye is also the chair of the Political and Judicial Commission of the Rwandan Leadership Conference, a domestic spinoff of the Women as Partners for Peace in Africa program. This initiative of the US Department of State brought together women from Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in pursuit of peace and regional stability...

"Women look out for their interests and those of their children; they have a vested interest in peace. We are not yet involved enough, though — there are very few of us, and it's a problem. We need women in grassroots peace organizations, facilitating reconciliation work, working in the economic sector, managing projects. We want our voices to be heard. When can we be the ones to sit at the head of the table? As women gain ground in local leadership positions, we will gradually begin to get more national opportunities. And if we're there, it will make a difference — a big difference...

"Some people think it's strange that I work for peace, because I'm in the army. But others are glad. They say to me, "You waged war, and now you are waging peace!" I know how terrible wars can be. When I joined the army, I joined for a purpose — to fight for my rights, the rights of my children, and the rights of all children. Through fighting, we did achieve those rights...

"I have hope, although Rwanda still has problems. We've moved past many, many difficulties — so many that I think we have reached the midpoint or maybe even 60 percent. But we still have 40 percent to cover. We're trying to leave behind a safer world for our children."

Rwanda Massacre (featuring Major Rose Kibuye, 1994). You Tube

KAGAME'S ARMY RWANDA'S HEROES and RWANDA'S WARRIORS

Jackie Jura
~ an independent researcher monitoring local, national and international events ~

email: orwelltoday@gmail.com
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