Senior Rwandan leaders have reflected on the liberation struggle, with President Paul Kagame and Gen Fred Ibingira questioning the wartime conduct of former military officer Kayumba Nyamwasa.
The remarks were made during a panel discussion on the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation war, organized by Unity Club Intwararumuri.
Gen Ibingira recounted wartime experiences, disputing claims that Kayumba played a decisive role in rescuing Kagame during operations in Nkana. He described Kayumba as lacking sufficient operational command experience during the conflict.
“Kayumba is someone I have known from the war. There are officers here who can testify. In some situations, even identifying the enemy was a challenge for him,” he said.
President Kagame also revisited wartime dynamics, recalling that Kayumba once suggested seeking temporary refuge in Uganda to reorganize during the liberation struggle.
“He told me we should go and ask Museveni to give us asylum so we could rest in Kyangwali, where refugees from Bunyoro were, and later return to the war,” Kagame said.
Gen Ibingira further highlighted operational practices during the anti-insurgency campaign, including a directive requiring commanders to formally commit in writing that insecurity would not persist in their areas of responsibility.
He also referenced a wartime decision in which troops reportedly agreed to forego salaries for nine months to finance the purchase of aircraft used in combat operations.
The remarks concluded with criticism of individuals who, according to the speakers, benefited from the liberation struggle but have since turned against the leadership and the country that emerged from it.
