KIGALI - Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) has dismissed as "rubbish” claims by a group of Ugandans who claim to have fought alongside the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA) during the liberation struggle.

The development unfolds after recent claims by a self-styled mercenaries led by a one Sergeant Akwino Matega that the government of Rwanda owes them $3.4 m for their role in the liberation struggle, claims they made on BBC.

When contacted, Maj. Jill Rutaremara, the RDF spokesperson downplayed the claims, which now says it has given the government two weeks to respond or they would seek legal redress.

"The so called Sergeant Akwino Matega is not known in the history of the RPF. He is just a day dreaming conman who thinks that he can get billions of money using the name of the RPA,” Rutaremara told The New Times.

He added: "The RPA did not recruit any mercenaries from Sudan, Central African Rep. Uganda and so on, as he claims. The RPA or RPF never signed any contract with any foreigners to come and fight for Rwandans.” 

 Rutaremara said that Matega’s allegations in his interview with the BBC Kinyarwanda programme Gahuzamiryango, that he was bundled in a vehicle (Panda Gari) and forcefully transported to RPA territory is ‘just laughable’, adding that if the RPA had used such methods of recruitment it would not have won the struggle.

"Rwandese from all over the world joined the RPA on a voluntary basis. They needed no Mategas to fight for the liberation,” Rutaremara observed.

On his part, Matega who heads the group claims that an agreement for compensation was reached with the government in 1996, but the RDF has denied any knowledge of such an agreement.

The claims come at a time when the country prepares for the 15th liberation day celebrations to be held today, an event that will see some foreign dignitaries who played a role in the four-year liberation struggle decorated.

Among the dignitaries to be awarded is Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi and former Tanzanian President, the late Julius Kambarage Nyerere whose medal will be presented to his widow.

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