The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and its staff, yesterday donated over Rwf10 million towards the ‘Ishema Ryacu’ campaign aimed at raising the £1 million (about Rwf1.2 billion) bail fee for Lt Gen Karenzi Karake.

Karake was arrested in the United Kingdom last month, while on an official visit following controversial indictment by a Spanish judge in 2008 against 40 Rwandan leaders.

He is currently out on bail and is due to appear in the Westminister court for his extradition hearing in September.Alex Kanyankole, the Chief Executive Officer of BRD, said Rwandans have overtime become united and today share their problems with one another.

"It is very commendable for the private sector to organise themselves and set up a platform for people to contribute towards such a cause,” he said.

The Private Sector Federation (PSF) chairman, Benjamin Gasamagera explained to the BRD staff that it was important for people to not only have a fund collection scheme but the spirit of dignity and togetherness.

He said they so far had over Rwf 800 million in the bank and about Rwf 500 million more in pledges, taking the total contributions to over Rwf 1.3 billion.

"We can say we have raised the bail amount required but this should not end here. Lets continue contributing to help our government because its not the first time that we have faced such a problem and neither is it the last,” Gasamagera said.

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