Editor,

Reference is made to Dr Joseph Karemera’s article, "A great leader with a great track record: A recollection” (The New Times, February 9).

Dr Col. Karemera has perfectly put in context what many keep close to their hearts, if only they can write it as brilliantly and he did.

I am one of the fighters who saw the liberation war practically lost on day one in Umutara. Most of us—if not all—lost hope of coming home after the sudden death of Maj. Gen. Fred Rwigema (RIP), but Paul Kagame, the eventual commander-in-chief, came changed the war for good. We defeated not only a heavily armed enemy, but also their supporters, including the French troops who advised, financed, and fought alongside the genocidal militants (I can’t call them an army).

That the commander-in-chief changed the course of this otherwise impossible war, it made him a hero we shall ever remember as Rwandans.

And, after stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi, Kagame reorganised the country in such a short time that some of us see what has since happened as a miracle. No country, as failed as ours then, has made such a dramatic turnaround.

See Liberia, Somalia, South Sudan, Central Africa, DR Congo…the list is long. It is President Kagame who has–in his characteristic charismatic, visionary and patriotic ways–brought our country where it is today: successful, secure, stable, and with hope for tomorrow. Personally, I don’t see who can replace such a hero at this moment in time.

We certainly can’t take a gamble, not with our future; we shall not allow him to abandon us come 2017. Does he want to lose all he fought for? My humble answer is a big NO.

To continue the war of development we need a tested and ‘war-hardened’ commander. President Kagame has no equals that I know of. No experiments with the so-called changes western powers often impose on us. Where were they when the Genocide was taking place? Why should they show up now with lectures after forsaking us in our greatest hour of need?

Rtd Captain Frank Mugisha

***************

I agree we cannot afford to lose such a visionary, brilliant and patriotic leader who loves his people and who always puts their lives before his own and fights for them. We made our constitution and we are the ONLY people entitled to change it or keep it intact as we please.

I love President Kagame and still need him around come 2017 and beyond. He has a respect and love for his fellow countrymen and it is due to this that I strongly believe that he won’t let us down when time comes and we ask him to continue leading us.

May God continue to guide and protect our President and country!

Johnson Elizana