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50 years of independence, 18 years of liberation

Posted by on 4. August 2012

One of the biggest surprises on our trip so far was the little country of Rwanda. In the memory of most western people Rwanda is linked to a deathly conflict. We certainly had not heard much about the positive developments of the economy, fight against poverty, health and educational systems in the country during the last one and a half decades. When I suggested to Julia a little detour through Kigali, she first thought I was joking. I had not thought about it that much, I mainly saw it as being ‚en route‘ to Tanzania.

So this is the excerpt of our history lesson that we took while reading for days online and at our visit in the Kigali Genocide Memorial:
The Rwandan genocide in 1994 was the mass-murder of ethnic Tutsi by the then ruling Hutu. Since independence from Belgium in 1962 the Hutu government persecuted the traditionally ruling Tutsi minority and came up with ever more racist ideologies. Many Tutsi fled to

neighbouring countries. The Hutu general Habyarimana seized power in a coup in ’73 and his autocratic rule was challenged by the Tutsi rebel group ‚Rwandan Patriotic Front‘ (RPF) that tried to invade the country from Uganda several times in the early 90s.
International pressure brokered a power-sharing agreement between the Hutu government and Tutsi rebels, but General Habyarimana did not follow through with his concessions. A plane carrying him and other high rank members of the Hutu government was shot down in April 1994, which sparked the planned murder of close to one million Tutsi all across Rwanda within two months. The international community failed to help (the French were cooperating with the Hutu government, the Americans didn’t want to get involved) and only the military victory of the RPF under Paul Kagame (the current president) that quickly advanced from the North ended the massacre by taking Kigali in July. Many Hutus fled in fear of retaliation and since then Tutsi form the government again. Hence the country celebrates 50 years of independence (from the Belgians) and 18 years of liberation (from the Hutu military regime).

The first positive surprise about Rwanda came at the border in Gatuna (half an hour south of Kabale, Uganda) where we found out that – contrary to its neighbours that charge $50 per person in visa fees – we could enter the country for free, much more like the Asian tourist heavyweights like Thailand or Malaysia. The second surprise was its natural beauty. In French it is known as the ‚pays des mille collines‘ – the land of thousand hills – and it is a pretty good description of what you see driving across the countryside.

The next surprise was Rwanda’s cleanliness and order. Random examples are that plastic bags are completely banned from the country, there is no garbage along the roads, busses run on time, leave even if they are not full and never take more people than allowed and even corruption is controlled much more effectively than in neighbouring countries.

The best surprise was when we met the first Rwandan, possibly the most polite, helpful and smart person we have met in Africa so far. Magnus, was stopping at the crossroads where we unsuccessfully tried to explain to a crowd of motorbike taxis, where we wanted to go. As opposed to the drivers, he spoke several of the languages that we understand as well (namely English and French), knew right away where the place was that we wanted to go to (Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel) and offered to take us there free of charge.
Magnus Mazimpaka is manager of the bimonthly magazine „Rwanda Dispatch“ and the free copy he offered us while chatting with us on the short drive was a really interesting resource about his country. Shortly after that we sent him a few questions about himself and Rwanda and here are his answers:

What did you study and where?
I don’t know how to answer this question. I have had interrupted courses from the day I started university in 2006. I have never
finished any course. I started with electrical engineering and I did not finish it because of very many un-avoidable circumstances
(especially social settings). Then I started doing journalism and the same happened for that course. II started economics and I didn’t finish. I went for Multimedia technology in Canada and the same happened. It is not because that I don’t like school, but I have never had a chance to finish a course. There have been serious unavoidable obstacles along the way. I decided to stop from there. What I have managed to focus much on is my work and building a personalized career. I have been working in the media for the last ten years, as a journalist, an editor, a consultant, a marketing manager and now a media manager. (Owner). The experiences are more than courses.

When did you start working for Rwanda Dispatch?
In May 2012. I don’t just work there. I am actually a shareholder.

How old are you and how did you experience the early years of the 1990s?
I was born in 1985 as a refugee in Tanzania and moved to Uganda in 1994. There was terrible harassment against Rwandan refugees in Tanzania before and after the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi. My early years of 1990s were very bitter. Yet a child, I was always reminded how I was a refugee and constantly being tormented and asked to go back to Rwanda either. Beatings were inevitable. My classmates used to beat me because I was brighter than them, so they thought I don’t disserve to be the first or second in class. Ugandans were a bit friendly, but they still called us names. It was painful. I don’t enjoy it at all, but it taught us what being a citizen means.

In your opinion what are the main achievements of Paul Kagame?
They are very many. But I will sum them up in a few specific words. He managed to restore peace, integrity and dignity, to Rwandans. Those who saw us as nobodies and mere refuges wondering around without identity can now respect us. Internationally, we are recognized as a great nation with respected, hardworking and focused people, not monkeys in the jungle as most Westerners racially saw or see Africa. Kagame has managed to create democracy for Rwanda and has definitely, brought about development and economic progress. Our national budget in 1998 was 38 Billion Francs. Its is 1.3 Trillion Francs today, close to 3000% increase. Tell me where you have heard that in human history? The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Rwanda expanded 9.9 percent in the second quarter of 2012 over the same quarter of the previous year. Historically, from 2000 until 2012, Rwanda GDP Growth Rate averaged 8.2 Percent reaching an all time high of 13.4 Percent in March of 2007 and a record low of 2.2 Percent in December of 2003. Have you heard that more than 1.2 million Rwandans were liberated from poverty in a span of just 5 years, since 2007. Of course we cannot forget that we now have a cohesive and united society. I think Kagame has done more than we expected. He is a great leader Rwanda has got. But don’t ignore the rest of the population, everyone has had their share of contribution, including myself. Its a collective achievement.

Are you allowed to talk about his main weaknesses?
We have freedom to say whatever we want in Rwanda. It is very saddening that the world thinks we are muzzled.

What are the most important aspects of democracy for you?
Freedom to do whatever we want in our own way to suit our own interests without interfering with anyone’s freedom. We don’t copy and paste. Rwanda is unique and that has not gone well in the throats of many people who are used to traditional definition of democracy; the one that was created and written by Greek for the Greeks. Because we don’t copy from colonial maters, then we are in the wrong direction and thus Rwanda is a banana republic. So wrong!

How do you see Rwandas role in ending the conflict in Congo?
Very minimal. Congolese have to determine their own destiny. It is very dangerous and unreasonable for anyone to think Rwanda will solve Congo’s problems. Can USA solve Iraq, Iran, Korea or Syrian problems? If the world thinks so, that is very skewed and unattainable, thus Rwanda can do little to solve Congo’s problems. In the first place
Rwanda is not the couse of the problems in Congo, how can it be the solution? If I am mistaken, ask the Congolese or the international community especially the UN and the Western world that plays mineral Ping Pong in Congo’s courtyard.

What does Rwanda need the most during the next 10 years?
We need industrialization, manufacturing and massive education for our people. We need to produce services and products to sell to the outside market and stop importing everything. That is the big thing we are looking at for our prosperity, and the good thing is that it will happen, and not very late.

Where do you see your country another 18 years from now?
I don’t know, but somewhere promising, sustainable and worth praising. What I know is that it will be way too different from where we are today. The pace at which Rwanda is progressing is terrific and dynamitic. Just watch the space.

Thanks a lot Magnus! It was great meeting you, we really enjoyed your hospitality, enthusiasm and friendliness.


Going there yourself?
Travel tips for Rwanda

  • see: don’t miss Rwanda on any trip to East Africa! Kigali (buzzing and very organized capital, genocide museum), Lake Kivu (Home Saint Jean, Guesthouse/Restaurant in Kibuye overlooking the lake, book ahead if you want to stay overnight)
  • get there: several bus companies to Kampala, UG (e.g. Kampalacoach or Jaguarcoach), Dar-es-Salaam (TZ), minibus to Gatuna,RW/Katuna,UG for Kabale,UG/Lake Bunyonyi,UG, or to Rusumo,RW for Tanzania. RwandAir sometimes has cheap offers to Dubai,AE, Nairobi,KE, Jo’burg,ZA. Get around in Kigali with bodabodas (motorbike taxis with helmet, 300-1500RWF) or matatus (minibusses, 100-300RWF)
  • stay: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel, Boulevard de l’Umuganda (camp ±5000RWF/person, dorm ±10000RWF), this agency has good info
  • avoid: tracking the Gorillas for US$750/p. (permit only) in Rwanda, in Uganda it is „only“ US$500

US$1 is about 625RWF

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