We are really sorry to see you on handcuffs afande, especially for no reason, but just because you are related to so and so.

Col Tom Byabagamba a soldier who never betrayed his nation or his excellence but also ended up in jail on fabricated cases

Remember Afande you always lead by example. You usually used these words whenever you were debriefing or briefing us.

“A true leader is still a leader even when he takes up servants’ duty, provided he maintains a human face and added integrity to his self-retained qualities.”

“A true leader is a person whose influence inspires people to do what is expected of them to do. You cease to be a leader when you manipulate with your egos instead of convincing by your inspirations.”

I see you have returned, my love; and your mood is as dark as ever, like during the time of the struggle.  Did your soldiers not adore you to your complete satisfaction?  I bet they all did despite the dark mood.  This dark time in your history and therefore dark mood won’t be the exception.

“Self-leaders are still true leaders even if they have no known followers. True leaders inspire by the influence of their characters and general self-made brands. Leadership is defined by the virtues of one’s behaviour.”

“Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not a reserved position for a particular group of people who were elected or appointed, ordained or enthroned. Leadership is self-made, self-retained, self-inculcated and then exposed through a faithful, sincere and exemplary life.”

This week will for ever remain in history as when I saw you on handcuffs.  I remember the discipline you gave us, you taught us to always work for our nation and make sure that we fulfill our responsibilities.

 

As a young boy, before I even joined the army, you had arrived at Afande Bitamazire’s entourage and you changed the whole structure of his security.  As you mentioned he was so social to an extent that his security was at risk.  You immediately ordered that his behaviour was not suitable for a purpose and obviously being a good commander he agreed that it was inconvenience for him to sit on a table with over 30 body guards and eat. You divided his security into groups in order to maintain a good secure environment, plus the hygiene in the home which was uncontrolled.

He immediately made you one of his close body guards, Afande.  After Afande Bitamazire’s death you ended up as Afande PC (Kagame)’s body guard.

You were whisked to the rank of J02 as a result of your performance, even though you was criticised in the end for aggressive behaviour and sometimes rough punishments.  But between me and you we know very well the reasons behind all that.

I remember the times when you advised me that a President is not just a person.  He/she is a personality for a nation and we have to maintain their security because he/her is the only symbol of a nation that we could not accept to be hurt.  I kept that in my mind and afande that is why I had an accident in Murindi as you remember, and of course it was rewarding because he was left unhurt.

I remember when you said that time has come to stop trusting each other, auditing reporting and evidencing had to come in place, you meant that and we did sir.

Afande I know that you have done nothing wrong.  You managed to keep your name clean.  You have never been corrupt and never was a bad leader.  You can never betray your country as many have done.  It’s just divisions created by those who are under intensive threat of divisions created by personal interests.

I remember our irreplaceable squad that probably remains in the same state of confusion that I am today due to your unnecessary arrest.  I call upon all of you who have the knowledge of our commander and comrade Col Tom Byabagamba to denounce all the fabricated charges he is being put into together with our commander and only remaining knowledgeable officer Gen Frank Rusagara.:

As stated by one of your fellow Comrades a senior officer as you two days ago: Those of you who remember our folklore stories could remember about a Good Samaritan and the Hyena’s story. This is exactly what is unfolding to the RPF/RPA historical.  Kagame turned our cause into his personal business; what had been aimed at struggling for freedom and unity of Rwandan people turned into Kagame and family business.

It’s unimaginable to see what Kagame has become to this point. Late us see briefly who is Tom Byabagamba;1.Tom of our Original RPA(before Kagame came in); Col Tom has done almost all his military carrier under Kagame’s protection;

Tom served as Late Capt Bitamazire’s Aide de Camp (ADC) in the Akagera region skirmishes where his boss and many other comrades lost their lives in a deadly FAR ambush. Tom survived narrowly and he disappeared in the national park which was now under the control of FAR for several weeks till he reconnected with our remnant. (Tom under Kagame’s reign): When Kagame came around early Dec, 1990. Tom took up the closest position of protecting Kagame’s life from Dec, 1990 probably 2010/2011. Does Tom who has committed his two decades of protecting Kagame’s life really deserve those handcuffs and stinky Kanombe cells?

Below are some of the comrades who may be experiencing sleepless nights due to unlawful arrest to our beloved Commander

MUNGARURIYE CALLIXTE
NKUBITO JOSEPH
JONES
GATARAYIHA
BAGUMA ALEX
KAZENGA FRANCIS
JULIUS RWANDANGA
UHORANINGOGA EUGENE
KARERANGABO
RUGANZUROSE RUGENIBETTYRIDIABELINA
ALOYS RUYENZI
ALOYS NEMEYI
REMY
KABAYIJAFIRST BORNNSENGIYUMVAMUVUNYI
 
KALIMBA
WELLARS
GATSINZI HERBERT
PATRICK
KIRENGA
RUTIKANGA
MUGISHA
RUZIBIZA
RUTAISIRE
RUTONESHA CLIOPA
DIDIER
MUNANA
CHARLES ALINGO
MUSHAIDI
SHEMA
CHARLES MUHIKIRA
GISHAIJA JOSEPH
FRED RUGUMYAMIHETO
RUGANZU
MATSIKO ROBERT (RIP)
MURANGIRA
MWESIGYE DANIEL
BUGINGO DAVIS
RUTAGENGWA
RUBAGUMYA
KAGAME ALEX
KATO ALEX
KAMAZI
MURAIRE
KABENGERA
MUSONI EVARISTE
SAFARI CLAUDE
NKURAIJA
CYUBAHIRO BIENVENUE
NKWAYA
BOSCO
INNOCENT
BYUMA
WILLY RWAGASAN
HAPPY RUVUSHA
RUZINDAZA
MATUNGO CHARLES
GASANA KIBANDA
GASANA RTD
GASASIRA
BUGINGO
YAHYA
NDAHIRO
JIHANARonald

 

MugaboJames

 

Ndegeya

 

Karama

 

Tumusime

 

Rubamba David

 

Mugunga William

 

Mulindahabi

 

Tobulende 

 

Karabayinga

 

Tinkamanyire

 

Tamale

 

Sempa

 

Sentongo

The list is endless but Just a few of the soldiers you commanded and gave a good discipline, stay strong and your freedom is ours, justice will prevail, today may not be in Rwanda but our society sees what is going on.

More writings will follow stay strong afande.

Written by Noble Marara