Francoise Maniraguha’s family fled to the DR Congo during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi where like many other Rwandans, they settled as refugees.

The then four-year old grew up in a family that went through problems of poverty and refugee status.

But when she turned 13, she was forced by circumstances to join rebel activities.

The situation she was going through forced Maniraguha to join the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Maniraguha 24, was among 48 former ex-combatants who were discharged at Mutobo Demobilisation Centre last week in Musanze District after completing a reintegration course.

The mother of two narrates her ordeal with sadness, noting that it is hard to explain what they went through in various parts of DR Congo, including Mwenga, and Uvira among other places.

"It was very difficult for many families to survive, we all lived on looting foodstuff from farms and you had to have a gun to do it well. This compelled most of the families to send their children to FDLR,” she says.

While she says that other people would join willingly, she maintains that others joined because of unavoidable circumstances.

"There was serious food shortage in my family and when I grew up, I decided to join the rebels to support my family. But unfortunately, after joining, I hardly got time to help my family get what to eat since a soldier does not determine their area of deployment,” she says.

Like other rebels, Maniraguha was deployed in various military engagements.

"I was part of soldiers who escorted senior officers. I did this job for several years following my bosses wherever they went, including on battle fields. In some cases I was deployed on the frontline to fight,” she says.

Maniraguha remembers with bitterness cases of rape she witnessed both as a refugee and a fighter.

But she has fresh memories of rape cases committed by many FDLR militias against Congolese women and some Rwandans.

"There were many cases of rape in DR Congo, many women were raped and assaulted. FDLR members were mostly to blame and Congolese women would raise complaints,” she says.

She says such images of rape are still vivid in her memory.

"I was a soldier and nobody could dare touch me. I was not amused with what was happening but I had nothing to do. You can’t imagine how many women suffered physically and psychologically,” she adds.

Maniraguha is also haunted by the fact that she was prevented from repatriating as early as she could with claims that whoever returned to Rwanda was killed on the spot.

She says she had heard voices of her own father who was repatriated years earlier; calling on them to repatriate but was held back.

"We heard voices of our family members and colleagues (on national radio) but we were told that their voices were recorded before they were killed. We were warned against habouring ideas of repatriating,” she says.

She regrets that she lost a lot of time and opportunities.

"I could have returned long ago to contribute toward developing the country and study like other Rwandans. I regret the wasted time but I am optimistic about the future.”

Like a fighter, she says she is committed to working hard in crop and livestock farming as well as other off farm jobs.

"I have acquired skills that can help me create my own job. I am ready to raise my two children and educate them,” she says.

During the discharge ceremony, other former fighters expressed commitment to working hard for self and national development.

They were equipped with various entrepreneurship skills and technical and vocational skills that would help them create own jobs.

Capt. Louis Gonzag Karuge, 36, said he had lost a lot as a rebel but was ready to join hands with other Rwandans to develop the country.

"We lost a lot while in the DR Congo jungles, I joined FDLR in 1994. I have been a soldier for close to 20 years but gained nothing. After being discharged, I am ready to use the skills I have acquired and the financial support to develop myself,” Karuge said.

Karuge said the rebel outfit has weakened but its members are adamant to lay down tools because military officers fear that they will be prosecuted for their role in the Genocide.

Jean Sayinzoga, the chairman of Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), hailed the repatriated rebels for taking a decision to return home and urged them to work hard to develop themselves and the country.

He reiterated that Rwanda is ready to welcome those willing to repatriate, challenging those already repatriated to be good ambassadors and appeal to others to follow suit.

"We are all Rwandans and we don’t wish to see our colleagues suffering and dying in DRC jungles, we want them to return home and live a better life,” he said.

Over 10,000 former fighters from FDLR and other armed forces have over the years been repatriated and reintegrated in society. Last week’s discharge ceremony was the 51st phase.