On December 17th, 2014, a group of five former Rwandan refugees landed in Kigali. They include RUGIRA Desire who opted for voluntary repatriation from Uganda. Four other namely: Soter Hakizima and Asnath NSENGIYUMVA from Niger, Rcihard Niyomusabye Richard and Marie Chantal Mukeshimana from Uganda came throughout the “Come & See, Go and Tell program” to witness the situation in the country so that they can go back to asylum countries to testify to their fellow refugees. They attended the 12th National Dialogue before visiting different parts of the country.
Their testimonies were obviously shaped with great surprise to see the transformations that have taken place for the last 20 years they haven’t put their feet on the Rwandan territory.
Desire Rugira, acquired refugees status in Uganda over forged testimony
In a brief account, Rugira revealed that he left Rwanda and fled to Tanzania during the 1194 genocide against Tutsis. At that moment he was a student pursuing the faculty of Law at National University of Rwanda at Mburabuturo campus in Kigali. He settled as refugee in BENACO refugee camp in Ngara. When he managed to get a job in a French NGO known as PARTAGE he left the refugee camp and went to live in town us urban refugee. In 2008 he was forced out of Tanzania and wanted to return to Rwanda, but he was discouraged by his supervisor who advised him to seek for refuge in Uganda. When he went to apply for refugee status in Uganda, he met Rwanda refugees who assited him to acquire refugee status. They first convinced him to forge a narrative saying that he was a member of PSI-Imberakuri( an opposition party) fleeing persecution from Rwanda. He did so and made succeeded to acquire refugee status number 470-09H00257. Rugira said he adhered to the ideology of a group of Rwandan refugees in Kampala who told him a lot of tales tarnishing the image of Rwanda.
“It was easy for me to accept whatever they told me since I hadn’t been in Rwanda since RPF took power” he said.
Later on, Rugira got skeptic after he unearthed contradictions in what people were telling him, and started his own investigation to know the truth about Rwanda.
“ I saw people coming in Uganda telling that they were persecuted in Rwanda, but two months later, they could buy luxury cars, then I realized that what they say wouldn’t be true” said Rugira.
“I could see a lot smart and happy Rwandans coming in Kampala and going back to Kigali for business purposes. Then I systematically talked to a various number of them and they told me that Rwanda was safe and there were impressive development” he added.
The testimony of Rwandans helped Rugira to change his mind. In August 2014, he came to Rwanda, just to see the real situation. He visited different parts of the country, and realized the tremendous positive changes that have taken place and decided to opt for voluntary repatriation. He went back to Uganda and immediately wrote to the Government of Uganda, renouncing to refugee status.
“During this period I managed to visit different places in different Provinces including Kigali City where I stayed two weeks. From these different places that I visited I witnessed and appreciated how peace, progress activities and respect of human rights have become a major priority issue of the Government of Rwanda. “States the Rugira in a letter to PM
““Concerning democracy there is a positive and great transformation in the Government of Rwanda's policy which allows opposition political parties to do lawfully their political activities. Hon. Commissioner, I found my home country, Rwanda safe, peaceful and secured. I was satisfied that I do not have any fear of living there. Therefore, I do not find any reason for Rwandans to continue to be called refugees. Thus I decide to abandon refugee's life to go back to my home country “The letter concluded.
Rugira arrived in Kigali on December 17, 2014 and got chance to attend the 12th National Dialogue before heading to his home villages in Nyamasheke District in the Western Province.
Soter Hakizima and Asnath NSENGIYUMVA
According to them, Niger counts about 30 Rwandan refugees. They all lost their status since Niger was among the first countries that immediately started implementation of the Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees when it came into effect in June 2013.
According to Asnath and Soter, former Rwandan refugees in Niger have established businesses and no longer survive over UNHCR assistance. They also have news about the country since they watch and listen to different TV and radio stations based in Kigali.
“Rwandan refugees in Niger keep positive image of their country and we are not proud to be refugees. We are informed about the socioeconomic transformations that have taken place in our country because we watch Rwanda Television and others stations via Canal+” Testified Asnath.
“A week ago I was watching on Rwanda Television President Kagame meeting the youth and I was extremely surpassed to see the freedom of expression here in Rwanda that can’t be found elsewhere in Africa.” Asnath said
“I was surprised to see a young student asking His Excellency: What will you do when you are no longer president, this freedom is rare in Africa.” She Stressed
Asnath Nsengiyuma and Soter Hakizima revealed that Rwandan refugees in Niger need to renounce to refugee status but still face challenges related to acquisition of Rwandan identification papers since there is no Rwandan diplomatic mission available in that country. They also affirmed their commitment to extend their projects in Rwanda once they get necessary documents.
Minister of Disaster Management and refugee affairs MUKANTABANA Seraphine, reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to facilitate all Rwandan refugees who need to voluntarily return and those who need to acquire identification documents like national IDs and passports.
On June 30, 2013, the Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees was invoked. It applies to those who fled the country between 1959 and 1998.
Rwandan refugees affected by the Cessation clause have three options to choose: voluntary repatriation, local integration and application for exemption.
The Government of Rwanda has adopted a policy to facilitate former Rwandan refugees who need to stay in their asylum countries to acquire Rwandan passports through embassies and Rwandan community abroad.
Since the invocation of the Cessation Clause over 27500 Rwandans refugees have voluntarily repatriated.
