Kazini’s death exposes Museveni

Andrew M. Mwenda The death of Maj. Gen. James Kazini reveals the major institutional weakness in Uganda. Kazini died like a petty thief allegedly bludgeoned to death by a “malaya.” This is not an isolated incident. As President Yoweri Museveni said at the funeral, the best of NRA/UPDF commanders have died – not at the hands of enemy bullets – but as a result of irresponsible personal conduct; in brothels, due to drunkenness etc.

The source of this institutional failure can be traced to the selection process of combatants during NRM/NRA’s struggle. Many enlightened Ugandans joined the struggle in pursuit of high ideals – to fight for freedom, democracy and economic progress. But many also joined for base reasons; as the president has said on several occasions, he accepted into the NRA ranks many criminals and thugs running away from justice.

The socially irresponsible elements in the NRA grew progressively, beginning in the bush and becoming stronger once they captured power. In the resource-scarce conditions of Luwero, you could largely rely on ideological incentives to retain support; so thugs could not gain the upper hand. In power, there is a lot of money; so the greedy win. This is how the thuggish elements inside the NRA/NRM became strong and diluted its ideological purity.

Yet this should be puzzling. For NRA to succeed, it needed superior organisational ability. Some rebels get access to a rich mineral from which they can generate revenues to finance their operations (UNITA in Angola and the RUF in Sierra Leone) or a rich external power to bankroll them (RENAMO in Mozambique and the Contras in Nicaragua). They may also need a rear base where they can retreat when government counter insurgency operations get tough (RPF in Rwanda). The NRA lacked all the above.

Yet, although these advantages may achieve short term financial and military objectives, they disable the mechanisms that facilitate internal structural and attitudinal change. For example, they distorts the selection process; many fortune hunters seeking a quick payoff may join in order to capture a diamond mine or to access CIA largesse. They may even crowd out people who are ideologically committed to the objectives of the organisation. The same logic applies to most foreign development aid.

Because NRA lacked these advantages, it should have attracted high commitment individuals who are highly disciplined and ideologically motivated. This would have led to the development of effective organisation. It did – to some extent. But it also attracted a lot of poorly disciplined individuals as the president has attested. Why? The lesson became increasingly apparent to me as I began to compare it with the RPF.

The RPF was born inside the ideological womb of the NRA. The two movements should therefore exhibit similar characteristics. Yet while the NRM degenerated into the organisational nightmare we see in most of Africa, the RPF has grown to establish one of the most effective social organisational systems in contemporary history.

What explains this? First, NRA fought its war when both the state and economy in Uganda had collapsed and the ruling party was deeply divided. Second, reading Museveni’s Sowing the Mustard Seed (I have read it four times) and listening to the president and his colleagues reveals something fundamental; they share a common contempt for their adversary – the UNLA and UPC. There is consensus among all NRA fighters that UNLA commanders (except for a few) were weak, cowardly, incompetent and corrupt.

Because the adversary was weak politically, institutionally, militarily and economically, the organisational ability required to win was average. This had powerful implications on the judgment of individual competences and merit. A person who would have made a mediocre commander came across as a great “fighter” when put against some illiterate UNLA goon. Fortune seekers with limited commitment to the political objectives of the NRA were welcomed and promoted; their opportunism and incompetence largely shielded by the ineptness of their adversary.

The situation was different in Rwanda. RPF commanders may have despised President Juvenal Habyarimana’s politics. But they respected the Rwandan military under him. They all agree that it was a formidable fighting machine. Indeed, RPF initially attacked Rwanda with the NRA mentality of karampenge (a reckless battle practice of standing exposed with a run-and-shoot at the enemy) and were thoroughly beaten and almost annihilated. All their leaders with this mentality died in the first 30 days.

This taught them a lesson. They retreated to the harsh Virunga Mountains and re-thought their strategy. They did not have a rich mineral or a generous external financier. The weather was so cold that the weak died and the opportunists deserted. Only the strong, disciplined with high ideological commitment to the objectives of the RPF remained in the bush. In such circumstances, the RPF overcame adverse selection problems. It was easy to achieve organisational coherence. They have transplanted this into government and we should therefore not be surprised by their ability to build enduring social systems.

These conditions required the supply of a person with extraordinary leadership ability; tenacity, fortitude, iron discipline, an inflexible will, a strategic mind and good judgment. Paul Kagame became this person. The danger with such people is that they can be stubborn and cling to power at all costs. It will be a statement of great personal character if Kagame ever voluntarily relinquishes power – it will be an act without precedent.

We should equally not be surprised by Museveni’s revelation that out of ten battalion commanders he had at the time NRA captured power, eight died as a result of “recklessness”. The personal failings of 80% of his commanders reveal inherent organisational weakness born of a poor selection process during NRA’s incubation period in Luwero.

But it also reflects a fundamental flaw in the president’s judgment. One of the most critical aspects of leadership is the choice of people to appoint to positions of responsibility. Museveni is the one who appoints commanders and is therefore partly responsible when most of his choices exhibit recklessness. He had a wide pool of talent to select from. He chose Kazini who died in a brothel. It is highly unlikely that Mugisha Muntu or Aronda Nyakairima can die such a tragic and ignoble death.

amwenda@independent .co.ug

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written by Major Adam Kifaliso, November 25, 2009

You are right m7 hand picks his commanders , or fronts those people he calls commanders , We know Aronda he was m7's bodyguard , a man who knows only how to fire an AK-47 and tie people 'KANDOYA '' ,Kazini could have been a man of his own merit and did what he thought was good for the army , But for there is very little to pick up from Uganda , ugandans now live on the stomachs not heads , I sometimes cry when i see them clap at m7 speeches ,I come not to blame m7 for overstaying , I now even blame the party , the people and gods of uganda , they seem too not to have any nyonyo in their pumpkins ...sorry for that ..........

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kagame vs Museveni-- Darkness vs light.
written by volks, November 25, 2009

I like the way you compare Museveni with Kagame, but i think its not a good idea, its like you continually compare light with darkness. kindly do Kagame a favour, compare him with the likes of Mandela, Blair and Clinton...he is totally different from Museveni in all aspects

mr
written by sam nziiza, November 25, 2009

Andrew, how much money does kagame pay you?

Kagame V M7
written by Nsubuga, November 25, 2009

Trying to compare Kagame to M7 is like comparing a father and a Son.
With all M7's chaos withstanding it is M7 who made Kagame and the RPF was M7's war.
However if you dig deeper Rwanda may have certain stability in various sectors of her economy and
Governance.
One wonders whether Rwanda progress will endure since the country is run by a one man band Paul Kagame like inUganda.
To many onlookers this is dictatorship in every corners and mountains of Rwanda.
Another flaw that Mwenda failed to mention is that Rwanda is headed by a Tutsi minority tribe a source of
upheavels and wars in the past in Rwanda.
The marjority of Hutu people are shut out of Rwanda politics and as long as Kagame and M7 don't solve
this problem between Hutu and Tutsi tribes Rwanda will continue to bleed.

Kazini much better than portrayed
written by aghiambo Janet, November 25, 2009

Sadly you make good analysis of M7, but poorly you depict Kazini. Further he did not die in a brothel as you state. The man was assassinated by M7's mambas because he was about to expose the M7 scandals on ghost soldiers and where the money actually went and still goes. Further M7 feared that Kazini was organising with others yet to die, a coup....and a coup there will be in Uganda, before end of 2010

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written by Emperror, November 25, 2009

He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.

Where-ever Mwenda got the notion that Kazini died in a brothel.....; However tangled his life may have been (according to Mwenda), and whatever dis-agreements he may have had with Mwenda, this is truly a new low and in total disrespect to the memory of a great commander and liberator.

May his soul NOT rest in peace.

THIS KAGAME THAT KAGAME!!!!!!!!!!
written by Mugisha, November 25, 2009

Andrew ever since you organised that coup that marked the end of Mr Bagatagira at Mbarara high school,i have always had maximum respect for you. You gave us a chance of at least having better grades with the departure of that man.
Iam a regular reader of your column but of recent this Kagame that Kagame has started getting on my nerves.Can you please go back to writing those types of column's which exposes the wrong's and gives credit (If there is any) where it is deserved to M7.With that,may be our kids and grand kids might have a better future.
Otherwise people might come to a conclusion that you are one of Mr Kagame's international spin doctors.

Mr.
written by Ezerah B Muhwezi, November 25, 2009

Mr.Andrew,am beginning to doubt the way you analyse things.Mistakes by NRA/UPDF commanders are purely personal but not institutional as you're trying to make us believe.Every UPDF officer has a presonal-private life he/she lives and Gen.Kazini was not an exceptional.May his Soul rest in peace!

Mr.
written by Ezerah B Muhwezi/CT Headquarters-Kololo, November 25, 2009

But Andrew,is it not worthy giving a credit to where it deserves?How can M7 as you call him be compared to Kagame,a person most people believe is His mentor?Most of the leadership skills Kagame is trying to employ in Rwanda are not a new thing to Ugandans.Which machine do you use to measure the failures and achievements of president Y.K.M7?Always be fair in your judgements.We all love to live in a peaceful Uganda!For God and my country!

Mwenda talk something else not Kagame
written by SALLY, November 25, 2009

Mwenda, its pretty clear that you are up to someting with trying so hard, but with little succes to potray Kagame as model president. I fret to think that you can say so of a butcher. Everyone knows how much dirt Kagame has swept under the carpet, including souls thats why he desperately gets the likes of you to do a smear campaign on Museveni so as to divert attention from his misdeeds. Enjoy the money he has paid you to market him while it lasts but as Jesus said" be awake" - good luck smilies/shocked.gif

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written by SALLY, November 25, 2009

Yes Emperor, I agree. I am hven never seen in my whole life a worthless man like Mwenda, he prides and misuses the gift of eloquence he has to put other peole to shame. He is badly brought up. I am even wondering if he is subject to long calls!!! Mwenda have some respect for mankind

Uganda is more complex, more ethnically diverse, than Rwanda
written by Ocheto, November 25, 2009

We should wish Kagame well, but Uganda is a more complex nation than Rwanda. Uganda has more people, ethnicities (and languages), and a more complicated history. On why Museveni surrounds himself with unsavoury characters for army commanders: that is because they cannot threaten his power. Kazini was punished as Besigye is being punished for daring to challenge their boss. The historical parallels you make between Okoya and Oyite deaths, and museveni's tenacity at doggedly hanging on a military dictatorship suggest that his fate and that of Uganda may be tied with what happens in the military.

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written by James, November 25, 2009

Andrew,

I know you hate Museveni and that is why you always want to compare him with General Kagame. We all know very well that Kagame pays you a lot of money to write good things about him and his government. This is very unpatriotic of you. You said that Kazini died in the hands of Malaya, but Andrew we all know that you are the most known Malaya in Kampala. Look at how many girls you dated and dumped. No wonder you are not married at your age. Please look at your own personal record.

Curious!
written by James, November 25, 2009

Seems like to Mr. Mwenda, Rwanda does no wrong. The more I read mwenda's stories, they more he seems biased.

THE BITE OF A TERMITE
written by OJA, November 25, 2009

Why does Andrew's untiring comparison of Museveni and Kagame anger many souls? Because of PREJUDICE. Many a Ugandan believes Ugandans and everything Ugandan is better than Rwanda. That is pure prejudice. And this shows a typical traditional African mentality where people never expected their next-door neighbours to look or do better than they themselves, even though the neighbour had all the positive attributes that could make others to learn from them. This explains why Ugandans identify with English premier league than their local or South African soccer. Why are we afraid and unhappy to accept our own and our neighbours for their good? Mwenda, go ahead and compare and contrast Uganda/Museveni with Rwanda/Kagame. You don't need to pick an example from India, South America or Scandinavia for our people to learn good lessons. We have them within and around us.

-1

Mr.
written by Tembo Mambo, November 25, 2009

Andrew, please do some self introspection - you used to be objectively analytical but you seem to have long lost something of your original analytical prowess and objectivity. All that you write here has grains of truth but there are also grains of compromise and malice alog the path. Clean up your act Andrew!!!!!! Or I am beginning to think you are both Museveni's and Kagame's 'implant' with a sinister agenda of misinforming and spinning.

No ideological purity
written by Rev Amos Kasibante, November 25, 2009

There is a whiff of black and white in the article: those who went to the bush for ideological reasons (freedom,liberation, democracy) and those who went for base reasons; ideological purity sustaining the struggle, but the thug element reinforcing itself after the bush war; then Kagame vs Museveni. Me thinks, there was no such dualism. Despite the Ten Point Programme, there was no one ideological point of view. What particularly united those in the struggle was a common enemy and common harsh conditions. The NRA needed fighters and took what they could get, including Amin's soldiers. Base and pure motives could co-exist or vacillate within the same persons.

After the bush, the situation changed. There was an eye on positions/promotion (questioning of criteria), access to financial resources, and arguments over seniority in the struggle.

One-sided analysis
written by Denis Musinguzi, November 26, 2009

Andrew, while the need for organisational compentency is vital for the success of every enterprise, focusing on it as the sole cause of all institutional misfortunes is quite misleading. Your analysis obscures the detailed realities sorrounding individual behavioral excesses and the conditions beyond their control for the resultant tragedies. You seem to blame the institution for every individual misconduct, and disregarding the immense positive contribution "indisciplined" individuals have rendered for this country.
Your comparision of NRM-RPFis instructive but one-sided, while your eagerness to take advantage of any opportunity to underscore this comparision helps one to question your intention.
We need to know how and why Kazini died, his personal responsibility and conditions outside his control, and lessons for each of us to learn from such incident.
Still, I enjoy your articles and your ingenuity!

Historical facts?
written by EA, November 26, 2009

Is it true that the NRA had no external backer? I thought it received substantial support from Mobutu at the time. Likewise, the NRM provided support to the RPF. And was it Rwandan soldiers that most damaged the RPF in the field, or the Congolese army? Mobutu was always in the wings to aid Habyarimana when needed, which was why Kagame eventually dismantled the Congolese army when he finally had the chance.

NRA VS RPF
written by John Mwesigwa, November 26, 2009

The RPF was born created from the NRA that captured power in 1986. M7 shielded the RPF and it wouldn't have taken power if not for M7s help. Yes, the RPF fighters fought for M7 but we all have to accept the fact that they both needed each other.

As for M7 vs Kagame, even a lay man can tell the difference, Kagame was unleashed under the wings of M7. He is more of a dictator than M7 and ruling a country with only 2 tribes . Rwanda is so different from Uganda in terms of political, social and economic infrastructure. I think M7 is a "silent" Dictator whereas Kagame is a "Loud" Dictator.

So please stop comparing the two.. they are very different and each has his own weaknesses which you should highlight and suggest solutions for them.

UGANDA IS DISORGANIZED NOT BCOZ IT HAS A VARIETY OF TRIBES BUT SIMPLY BCOZ IT LACKS LEADERSHIP!!!!
written by Monica Buyinza, November 26, 2009

Bwana Ocheta,
It is not true that owing to a divesity of ethnic groups in Uganda, Uganda is relatively harder to govern than Rwanda is. No, my dear! That is a very big big lie that the dictatorship has been busy selling around to undescerning Ugandans. Uganda is not bigger than Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, U.S.A or Indonesia with a diversity of ethnicities but nonetheless better organized politically, economically and otherwise. The problem of Uganda is just lack of leadership, period.

continued ...
written by Monica Buyinza, November 26, 2009

These guys we have in power today are not leaders but self-seeking leeches acting as mercenaries. They behave like they do not belong here, but are just temporarily here to loot the country dry and leave chaos behind when their time comes to be chased out of town. Please do not sell that crap again to Ugandans that Rwanda is better organized because it has only two or three nationalities. Because if this were the case, Somalia which is basically constituted by one ethnic group of people with a single religion (Islam) and a common language would be the most rich and peaceful on this continent.

Mr
written by Ronnie, November 26, 2009

I support Andrew's comparisons btn Kagame and M7. Honestly if you believe M7 made Kagame,then how can he do better than. Why do we have to draw examples from as far as South Africa or here in the US? Lets see what is happening to our closest neighbours, its getting a shame to Uganda if Rwanda gets better than us,look at how Pres. Kagame has zero tolerance to corruption,how he has improved the road network, how the Rwanda pple are loving their country, he even agreed to put checks and balances around him by inviting Tony Blair to be his advisers. Do you M7 asking Pres.Clinton to advise him?

Your Blind Praise of Kagame is hurting your paper
written by jk, November 26, 2009

Dear Andrew
You are a great analyst but i am sorry you are over doing it by praising Kagame at any opportunity. It is a fact that Kagame has done great things for Rwanda but he also has serious issues that no body can dare say in Rwanda.

It would do your paper good as well as your integrity if you stop that naked praise of Kagame.
Otherwise keep it up

KAGAME MUST HAVE INCREASED YOUR PAY MWENDA:
written by Munyarwanda, November 26, 2009

Well, the topic here is very different from the content. your praising dictator kagame as usual, bt believe me, m7 may as well be adictr, but Rwanda your praising was made by m7. if it wasen't him, habyarimana wld still be a president.
m7: natured kagame, educated him, looked after them actually (now akazu) peple leading rwanda, until he gave them all they needed to capture power. so, m7 is their father.
Comparing m7 n kagame is like comparing LC V chairman with m7. very, differnt countries in socio, pol, eco, demographic e.t.c. so, mwenda. eat the money but we knw the truth.

Kisokyambuzi ideology: Ugandan alocate blame appropriately
written by Atenyi, November 27, 2009

Dear fellow Ugandans, lets stop blaming Mwenda for comparing M7 and KGM. in relation to Rwanda and Uganda. Mwenda is actually doing the right thing, only that Ugandans are not accustomed to being told the truth. We have always prefered half baked truth as opposed to the total truth currently being dispensed in Rwanda. Take for example, Rwanda educates over 1000 students each year on state bursaries in top African Universities an aspect Uganda doesn't see fit for its people. In next 5 Years to come Rwanda will have more Phd holders than Uganda and this will imply international development agencies will always preffer Rwandese over Ugandan because apparently there more educated than us. Lets not based on the post independence education ranking that ugns are the best educated, that changed 24 yrs ago, so let Mwenda inform the public. his 100% right.

BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHERS
written by Lakwena, November 27, 2009

Only those without a value system or love for this country, resent Mwenda's comparative analysis between Museveni and Kagame. Seeing is believing. The state and character of a country is the direct reflection of its leader/s. It is simple logic: Uganda is corrupt because Museveni tolerates corruption. Otherwise it does not happen. Look at the revelation coming from the Public Accounts Committee over the CHOGM daylight theft. If it were in Rwanda those officials implicated would have vacated offices as inquiries goes on. But in Uganda, the suspects are given absolute liberty to stay in office, interfere with investigation, write intimidating letters and continue cooking the books.

Continued
written by Lakwena, November 27, 2009

Clean and dirty are incompatible. Those defending the president must be birds of the same feathers. If Museveni is clean as far as corruption is concerned, he would not entertain the filth around him. Who is proud of the going on in this country? Simply put, It is shameful. Only criminals don't have the sense of shame.

Who Cares About Rwanda And Kagame?
written by Twakoowa, November 27, 2009

At this point and with all the problems at hand, who cares about Kagame and Rwanda? Except if someone wants to talk about the $ 2 billion Ugandan money that are mentioned in one Western documentary as having been used to fight the Rwandan war. When is that debt getting paid? Will it ever? Because in today's online news, the UN is again on Uganda's case regarding some Hutu militia drilling in Uganda. Rwanda is not stable and it's future is unsettling. So many of its people are not happy, on that depends everything.

Correction ...
written by Twakoowa, November 27, 2009

We care about Rwanda, but pretty less for Kagame and all foreigners who abused the kindness and hospitality Buganda extended to them and their parents last time they were chased from their homes. Things are going to get rough again because the universal energy flow have been tampered with.

KAGAME VS M7
written by BOSS, November 27, 2009

Mwenda_ Style up. You have become so obsessed with kagame. he has done some good things but dont get so unfocused. stay OBJECTIVE!!!kagu n kagame r same clout......all the best for our people,....

-1

Compare like with Like
written by Politi Fact, November 27, 2009

Your obsession with Kagame has compromised your analytical ability. You keep comparing Apples with Pears and claiming to drawn logical conclusions!. Rwanda has one tribe, one language and is very small. Uganda has over 80 tribes and different cultural, historial issues to balance. The compromises needed into navigate Ship Uganda and very different. One of these days you need to understand these.

The institution which appointed Kazini is the same which mentored Kagame, Muntu, Nyakairima, Koreta, Katumba, Kulayigye and many other successful professional Generals whom you have conviniently not mentioned!

And BTW, died in his Lover's house; NOT in a Brothel. Lydia Draru was not a prostitute. Andrew some respect for our departed comrades will do you no harm at all.

Fact.

That's hatred
written by Mujungu Emmanuel, November 28, 2009

Yes, I can see every body trying to blame President Museveni for the death of Kazini and Mayombo and trying to compare him with Kagame. But is Museveni also responsible for the deatg of Col Chales Ngoga who was poisoned on the orders of Kagame and Lt Col Wilson Rutaitsire and why is Lt Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa out of his country and can any one tell us the whereabouts of Col Patrick Karegyeya. Pliz Andrew Mwenda and your friends are you awere that what writting about Museveni today in Uganda you can't do it in Rwanda ? . Please lets respect our Presindent .

-4

Sick of Mwenda
written by PAPA, November 28, 2009

I think, it's common knowledge this boy Mwenda has lost his originality.
Why would on earth compare uganda & Ruanda in each & every artical. This boy ought to be reigned in,
Please authorities why are you quiet when this boy is running mad. Mwenda you used to a darling of so many but soon as you entered on the payroll of Ruandan gov't you lost it all!

-2

KAGAME (A LEADER); & MUSEVENI (A REBEL!)
written by OJA, November 28, 2009

While within ten years of his rule Kagame has transformed himself from a rebel to an outstanding nationalist leader with the purpose of building and transforming Rwanda from ruins to a nation of hope and orderly manifestation of true leadership of purpose, Museveni on the other hand has remained a rebel down the road irrespective of the 24 years in power. He is not a leader but an imposter rebel who assumes to take leadership. That is why 24 years have brought nothing to Uganda and Ugandans but increased misery, poverty, illeteracy (even after P.7!), corruption, disorder, crude militarism, tribalism, sectarianism, favouritism, pain, chaos, divisionism & fracturisation, thus disunity (we are Baganda, they are Banyankole), powerlessness, lack of patriotism and over all lack of love and feeling of pride for Uganda. SO HOW CAN THE REBEL IN MUSEVENI COMPARE WITH THE TRANSFORMED REBEL-STATESMAN IN KAGAME? ANDREW GO AHEAD!

Mwenda is failing!
written by Nvunganyi John, November 28, 2009

Mwenda has feiled and this tends to show his ends of exit. While the journalism is craft conveying news, decriptive materials and opinoins in a wider spectrum of media of which Mwenda thinks is doing is totally different. Mwenda began well Like Ssezi Cheye who ended up pulling here and there and later Luzira.Wait soon Mwenda will be no more. Gov't in Kagali has always viewed Ug as a co-wife and their wish was to get one to sponser and tarnish the image of the country. You portray M7 as Gorith and Kagame as David and this peace you are enjoying in both countries was brought by M7.This tax payers money kagames give you will soon get its way out. See all adverts in your paper while no rwandan paper gets any coin out of tax their pay. God will reward you for such misgivings!

Easier for Kagame harder for Museveni
written by Ocheto, November 28, 2009

This is neither to exonorate nor to blame any one leader. But on the sheer magnitude of problems a ugandan leader has to contend with it doesn't compare with any country in east africa, and that includes TZ and Kenya. The history of Uganda is just different, complex. The permutations of entrenched tribal alliances and interests is anything like anywhere else in East Africa. It makes it that much easier for disingenuous politicians like Museveni to gain a foothoold, a stronghold and stranglehold, and just as that much harder to get rid of them. Because they exploit as they accentuate or exercabate rather ameliorate the ethnic divisions that are the real source of the problems. Uganda needs leaders who can transcend tribal divisions. On that one key score Museveni has been a total failure; for Kagame the jury is still out.

-1

Ugandans should learn to accept bitter truth!!
written by Chris, November 29, 2009

Whether Kagame pays Mwenda for publicity or not is not an issue here, the bitter truth is and will always be that many if not all students mentored by one person ends up doing better than their mentor for if they do not, there would have been no need for a mentor. Kagame learned something and forgot things that made Museveni failed.

MWENDA, U'VE LOST IT ALL. PLSE PULL IT TOGETHER!
written by Munyarwanda, November 29, 2009

Me as Rwandese, your a disgrace to us when you write about things you do not knw abt Rwanda.
kagame is a killer and goes on killing people here, even write now. if you dnt blve me, come and oppose him frm here. u need 2 knw ths:
An estimtd 4000 pepple in kibeho were killed on kagame orders, wen he ordered shooting of a camp comprised of 10,000 pepple indiscriminately killing them.ths was his local operatn in butare to see off dismantling of kibeho camp. it took 1 full nite of non-stop body disposal by trucks towards nyungwe forests 4 mass grave. ask me abt kagame, i'll tell u who he is. mwenda, your a disgrace to african patriotism 4 little money tht kagame pays you.

Ezerah B. Muhwezi
written by ocen, November 29, 2009

Why are you so protective of NRA/m and the dictator? During 1980s every single mistake done by a UNLA soldier was blamed on the whole intitution, that is why NRA/M and Dictator Museveni went to the bush. If UNLA mistakes were treated the way you want NRA to be treated, the 1981 -86 war would not have been there. But because majority of those in the UNLA and UPC came from a wrong area, theiry became criminal who should be purnished. Today NRA/M(UPDF) is even worst than UNLA. UNLA and UPC were not given time to show that they were bad. War started immediately and the was was supported by the people around Kampala which is very important for any war to succeed.

This is Africa
written by Twalwaana, November 30, 2009

You people, this is Africa. Kagame right now is where Museveni was in the early 1990s, We were enjoying unprecedented economic growth and people were generally happy with the regime. Kagame looks to me like a blood thirsty no nonsense dictator. Maybe just a little wiser than Museveni, Kagame looks like a guy who cannot tolerate Besigyeism, where is Byamungu? where is Bizimungu? where is Rwigyema? where are all the people who have stood in his way? do You ever hear of any opposition to Him? surely its not because He is perfect! No one is!!

check yo sources mwenda b4 yu piblish!!!
written by mukombozi, December 01, 2009

andrew you have the wrong history about RPF/RPA. i think you need to talk to a field command to give you the right battles between RPA and the habyarima gov't plus mobutu.

secondly we all know that experience is the best teacher. you cannot compare m7 with Paul Kagame who has advisor such as Tony Briar etc. Paul Kagame is a democratic dictator who will move Rwanda to a different level.
everyone says Rwanda is a police state!!! yes it is AND it does need that kind of policing. I think most African countries do need people like kagame who will build functional institutions, personal responsibility etc. if african countries dont move in this kind of direction, everyone is making noise about kagame but WATCH where rwanda is heading .
ABOUT KAZINI we all know this is LUCK of ETHICS! let kazini rest peacefully and JUSTICE if it can take its route

...
written by Maria, December 01, 2009

I am sick and tired of kagame stories. can't a story about M7 be complete wihout comparison with kagame? Afterall, both are dictators. What defeats my mind is why one dictator is extolled while the other is lambasted

Andrew on Kagame payrolln
written by John Nvunganyi, December 02, 2009

Read this article.http://freeuganda.com/2009/11/27/rwanda-the-dark-shadows-that-stain-the-new-darling-of-africa/

Some truth
written by Ruhweza Patrick, January 13, 2010

I would like to add that whatever is written here including the article by Mwenda are personal opinions and each one of us has a right to give their opinion. In my view, there is some truth and exaggeration in the article. For corrupt officers surrounding our government without appropriate punishments, we all condemn that and i think President Museveni must have realised that we are tired of corruption. Kagame has excelled in that area, we have seen him fire even the closest officers right away as long as they engage in corruption. The death of our army officers may not be necessarily due to the choice of commanders and institutional weakness as Andrew seems to suggest.

Be your self Andrew.
written by K. F., January 14, 2010

Andrew i guess you are never your self because of the wrong words you always use to lie the world in your paper The Independent,for sure you abuse alot and its unethical, hard words (abussive) have been used and they portry no meaning,how i wish you revise your language before producing your paper, You are even lucky you abuse Mr.MUseveni who takes such abuses very simple otherwise you would be.......anyway go on! There is time for every thing,i believe your time will come and you will stop your 'abusses'