Editor,

RE: "Meet Sambi T, the singing soldier” (The New Times, August 7).

When I see this young soldier in RDF uniform, it makes me very happy because of two things:

First, it shows that our country’s leadership is seriously at work because our army has all the qualities any general would love to have. No wonder President Paul Kagame is a man behind its creation. He has managed to build a very well disciplined institution. Our army is well equipped in every modern way—it’s a formidable force.

Second, seeing Sambi T in the Rwanda Defence Force uniform tells me of the rights we cannot enjoy in Diaspora. You may get everything from education, money and secure a good job, but they will never allow you to become a member of the army. You cannot enjoy a top post in government because we resemble Rwandans even where we are legally recognised as citizens.

The other day, now a blue-helmet, Sambi T was telling me about his mission in helping bring peace to the war-torn Darfur. It was his first time to board a plane. He was thrilled and cried in happiness holding the Rwandan flag on the left side of his chest. He was talking to his heart, "I love you Rwanda”, and yes, that is patriotic, that is true love of the nation, that is the meaning of sacrifice for the country that made you who are you.

The mission in a windy desert is tough and exhaustive. It’s a do or die mission but our men and women in uniform go there proud, and go as ambassadors of Rwanda. They won’t fail for that purpose, they won’t fail Rwanda, and they won’t fail us. They make us proud.

When I spoke to him while in Darfur, I told him to be careful. He replied that he’s a Rwandan soldier. He went on, "Even if I die in the desert, I will always be remembered as the hero who took the bullet to save Rwandans’ lives”.

For him, music career is somewhat more of hobby than business. However, that is the reality in the music industry in the country, therefore the need for each of us to support our artistes by attending their shows.

Yulian