Members of the private sector on Friday evening launched a new initiative to raise £1 million (about Rwf1.2 billion) as surety for Lt.Gen Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, Rwanda’s head of National Intelligence and Security Service who was last weekend arrested in London, UK and later released on conditional bail.

The campaign dubbed Ishema Ryacu (loosely translated as ‘Our Pride’) saw 36 members of the private sector raising Rwf120 million (Approx. £100,000) on Friday evening.

Karake, who was in London for official duties and travelling on a diplomatic passport, was last week barred by UK immigration officials from boarding a flight back home in connection with a highly controversial indictment by a Spanish judge over alleged war crimes.

He is one of the 40 former and current senior Rwandan leaders targeted by Judge Fernando Andreu Merelles’ indictment.

Karake appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon where he was granted conditional bail subject to £1 million surety.

"What happened to Gen Karake is not just about the government or the military, this is about Rwanda; we want to send out a message that the £1 million isn’t coming from the government but from Rwandans,” said PSF CEO Stephen Ruzibiza

He went on to say that in the spirit of solidarity as Rwandans, the campaign will be extended country wide and to the Diaspora so that more people can contribute.

In rallying the business community to contribute to the cause , PSF board chair, Benjamin Gasamagera said; "we came a long way, we achieved what we have because of people like Karake who create a safe and secure environment for us to do business; in this war, we have to use the weapon we have which is money.”

Bank accounts have been opened in Banque Populaire (400-3820333-11) and in Bank of Kigali (00040-06778062-38) to facilitate more contributions to the cause as telecoms have also been urged to help with the use of mobile money services and outreach messages.

Meanwhile protests against the arrest of Karake are gaining momentum in Kigali and thousands have set up camp at the UK High Commission and have vowed to stay until Gen. Karake is released, while the African Union joined in solidarity with Rwanda and demanded for the immediate release of the Intelligence chief.