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God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.

The government of Rwanda has always encouraged the high commissioner in the UK to keep hold of the Rwandese community, for some reason the community became dominated by Rwandese high commission employees including the ambassador for almost a quarte century. This was suspected that it was to promote the ruling party RPF however the system which was not useful for the Rwandese community residing in the UK, continuously caused havoc and misunderstandings among the community. With the involvement of the ambassador and his wife together with their diplomats, the community became divided. As E. M. Forster said that he is sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars. And indeed that happened on  Saturday the 26th October the Women of Rwandese Community in UK did not only keep to their commitment and promise of rejuvenating their community but they also proved that communities work better when external political interference are kept at bay.  The “mothers of the community” organised a very successful event single handed that brought together over 150 people.  For the first time in the history of the Rwandese communities in the diaspora, all walks of Rwandans, only for the detractors, came together and shared a great day.  In my opinion it was a TRUE and ORGANIC ‘Rwanda Day’ in London.  An example of how Rwanda Days should be, with NO hassle of unnecessary security checks, denying people the use of the Mobile Phones, leaving the cars across the city, politicising what is supposed to be a community get together and many more unnecessary inconveniences.

 As had been reported in an earlier article in the Inyenyeri News, the women went ahead with the plan to organise a social event that would bring Rwandans of all shades; be it supporters of the current government (RPF) or opposition parties (RNC, FDU, etc) and Tutsi, Twa or Hutu, together.  They made sure that unlike other such events in the past, this was a purely a community event in all its aspects.  These aspects included; the planning, raising resources for the event, booking the venue, seating arrangements, the structure of the event and the speakers at the event.  The Chair Lady, Colly, did not disappoint when she summarised their vision in the following few words, “… we will strive to create a community that brings together every Rwandan, whether they are Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.  We will not allow the past mistakes to be repeated, when our hard working colleagues were discriminated because of what they happen to be or believe in. …” (Quote translated from Kinyarwanda), during her speech that received a big applause.   Whether or not she knew or understood that this is a legal obligation for any UK community entity, that resolve must be commended and supported.  So let us all thank Madam Colly Mulisa and her team for doing the right thing.  I think the Rwandese men in UK and other Rwandan diaspora groups around the world should follow suit.

There were a few other things worth mentioning regarding the event.  Unlike past events where the High Commission high jacked the planning and organisation of the events, the organisers did exactly what responsible and working communities do. The Women took charge of all proceedings. Unlike the RPF that treats and calls elders as useless (Ibilohwa) or Ibigarasha, these wonderful ladies instead made sure that the elders or seniors (as they are usually referred to in our UK) were recognised and their contribution to the community whether in thin or thick was appreciated.  This to me an indication of the organiser’s appreciation of what communities stand for and the strength they possess as a group.  Those recognised included; Maama Benzinge, Mzee Sukiranya, Aunt Adelia, just to mention a few.  The applause of this action which attracted the majority couldn’t demonstrate everyone’s appreciation enough.  It’s right and correct that these elders were recognised and we hope that this virtue becomes a culture in our community.

The choice of Mr. Kalisa Kalemera as the main speaker was just spot on.  Mr. Kalemera has lived in UK for a very long time and is a respected hard working professional and elder in the community.  Although he tends to keep calm, I think it is such speakers that can relate to the community and give appropriate insight to our youth.  Not the ‘imported’ guys sometimes made in India who has no idea what is appropriate for a UK community.  As the past events have shown these ‘imported’ guys are only good at showing off their ‘airs’ and deceit and short on real substance.  They only serve their one master and not the people or the community they are meant to serve.  Many thanks go to Mr Kalemera for accepting and for a fine speech.

Another thing that is worth mentioning is the mischievous absence of the Rwandan High Commissioner in UK, His Excellency William Nkurunziza Ruchikyuma and his wife.  Whereas diplomats are supposed to suppress their sentiments or emotions, for Rwanda’s most senior diplomat in UK, it is the opposite.  Just because the community asked him and his Mission to “back off”, this proud gentleman could not stop, behaving like his boss Kagame, throwing tantrums and did not attend the event, despite being invited in ample time.  He chose a ‘cold war’ with the community to appease his wife and a small clique of about three ladies, who despite living in UK for a while now have failed to grasp the real values of UK communities and their legal obligations.  Although no one missed him and his deluded sycophants, it just proved how this egoistic and pompous family and group have no place in UK.  Of course we cannot forget to commend other diplomats like Linda Karimba and Jimmy Uwizeye who, despite the apparent heavy hand of their new master, endeavoured to attend.  The way these two diplomats mingled with people at the event showed that when they put on the human hat, they are as good as their parents were, like the late Mzee Karimba (RIP) of Jinja, in case of Linda.  I think they have learnt from their past mistakes and the event must have proved to them what the premise of UK’s ‘Localism Law’ is all about.  The local community knows better what they need and works for its members.  Not the RPF way of Big Brother approach of dictatorial divide and rule through nurturing intrigue that blurs all ethos of ‘social unity’.  Shame upon you Mister ‘Pomp’ because the event was nothing else but A BIG … BIG SUCCESS

I will end by having a word of advice to those would be members of the community, like Faith, Claudette and Margaret Buchana, that much as it is their fundamental right to have other views about the new leadership of the Women in our community, they will be the losers if they insist in following tourists, like the pompous family, rather than joining hands with the rest of the community, who reside here permanently, to make it stronger.  I strongly believe that the leadership, steered by Madam Colly, have moved on and those lovely ladies towards whom it was alleged that they nicked a phone, during an earlier meeting at the pompous family’s residence, have used their big hearts to forgive you.  That forgiveness was cemented by the assurances given by Madam Colly in her speech at the event.

 

All-in-all the winner is the Rwandese Community in UK and our lovely Women who put in much effort, love and wisdom in planning and organising this event.  We can only be proud of how UK is leading the way in both, how we stand up to excesses, like it was done on 18th of May in Oxford and the stern warning, in the words “back-off” our community leaders issued to those who want to divide and disrespect us.  The bar has been raised and I think it can only get better.

Written by anonymous community members