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In what is seen as a humanitarian move, Lt. Col. Rose Kabuye's lawyers succeeded in getting her bail conditions relaxed, allowing her to travel home. She will have to present herself in France only when called upon.
She was arrested in Germany on November 9, 2008 on a longstanding international arrest warrant issued by French Judge Louis Bruguiere.
Kabuye is one of the thousands of Rwandese refugees who grew up in Uganda. She joined the military as a guerilla in Museveni's NRA. When they captured power, she gained a fearsome reputation while stationed at Basiima House in military intelligence together with her then boss Paul Kagame. They used to illegally detain then torture people, some of whom have since disappeared, presumed dead.
To this day, sections of the Ugandan military continue the heinous practice of detaining and inflicting grievous suffering on suspects, contrary to due process.
However, the French judge wants to try her on different charges, related to the events surrounding the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. It is a much anticipated trial which will set a powerful precedent regardless of whether the outcome is acquittal or conviction.
Readers Comments:
28 Dec 2008
1.
Dear Rk,
Kabuye is now in Rwanda . Yes, that is oK. But my anger comes from the irrational behaviour of Kagame and his cohorts. Shouting all the time, crying wololo wololo. Calling for otherwise uncalled for riots or demonstrations in Kigali, immediately suspending diplomatic relations with France, etc.
Kabuye's release shows that the French are honestly following up on the case in question and not just witch hunting, the way Kagame and his sympathisers wanted the world to believe. It is not surprising that the French are not rioting in Paris over her temporal release.
If Kabuye is innocent, she will win her freedon and if she is still implicated in the case, I hope her re-summoning for questioning in Paris wont cause another week of havoc and bogus demonstrations in Kigali. Kagame and other African leaders must learn how to handle issues diplomatically. Not just losing temper and acting out of anger. We wish Kabuye Luck.
Masaba
Senior Quarters
Mbale.
03 Jan 2009
2.
I would like to respond to Masaba who seems like he has got things mixed up here. First of all, the Rwandan people have the right to protest any injustice, I don't see any problem for the Rwandan people expressing their right. This French saga is an attempt to the rich countries to keep control on political process in Africa and sabotage any country which seems to defy them. Rwandans will not be bullyied by such countries and I am very dissapointed that you can't see that.
Secondly, it seems like you are taking on your frustration to President Kagame, that is a fair thing to do as there can't be any perfect president. But, let me suggest you to also look at any positive outcomes he has brought to his people: stoping genocide, trying to make Rwanda an information technology hub of central africa, etc. I am not trying to defend him but I am trying to have a balance outlook. So Mr Masaba, take a deep breath and stop bushing and hating on the Rwandan government but rather expressing a balance criticism of the situation in Rwanda.
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