Public overjoyed as Kabuye returns

Members of the public could not hold back the excitement with some of them shedding tears of joy as the Director of State Protocol Rose Kabuye jetted into the country Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday, December 27, 2008
L-R: Rose Kabuye, Rwandans in Frankfurt protest Kabuyeu2019s arrest.

Members of the public could not hold back the excitement with some of them shedding tears of joy as the Director of State Protocol Rose Kabuye jetted into the country Wednesday afternoon.

Clad in a matching outfit complimented by an equally beautiful smile, Kabuye cheered on the anxiously waiting crowds.

"It is good that I have been allowed to come and share the festive season with Rwandans but soon I will be going back. I am not worried at all because I am innocent,” Kabuye said amidst a thunderous applause, from her many supporters.

Her detention in France incited a series of demonstrations which attracted people from all walks of life throughout the country almost on a daily basis for the 40 days plus she has been in Europe.

She was arrested in Germany on November 9, on an act that was largely contested by the Government of Rwanda. This resulted in Rwanda recalling its Ambassador from Germany and the sending back the German envoy.

"We thank God that he has answered our prayers and our sister Rose is back. It is timely that we praise and thank him especially during this festive season,” said Rwanda’s Mufti Saleh Habimana. He said with hope everything would be okay and urged the Nation to pray for Kabuye and the country at large.

The mood at Kigali International Airport was hyped up even more by the performances of various local musicians who had also turned up to welcome their hero.

Marie Jeanne Mukankuranga the voice behind the famous APR ‘Intsinzi Yu’rwanda’ (Rwanda’s victory) practically demonstrated the message in her song.

"As a woman I fought against the violation of human rights and there couldn’t have been a better Christmas gift than Rose’s return home,” Mukankuranga told The New Times while sobbing with joy.

As Rwandans all over demanded that international justice be observed, some ordered that the baseless indictments be reversed. They also demanded the expediting of the case against the French officials who were implicated in the Mucyo report.

"This shows that the indictments against Kabuye and her colleagues are illegal. It is a joy that we are going to share Christmas with her,” said ATRACO boss Dodo Twahirwa, a fellow Liberation War veteran.

Dodo insisted that the neo-colonialism against Rwanda and Africa in general ought to be fought.

Maria Gahigi, an official from Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) who had spent sleepless nights camped outside the gates of the German Embassy was glad that their efforts were paying off.

She was among the hundreds of women, mostly from the women veterans association, Ndabaga, who had camped in front of the embassy in protest over Kabuye’s arrest.

Ends