Fallen RDF peacekeepers laid to rest

The five fallen Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) peacekeepers killed last week in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) were yesterday laid to rest in an honourable and befitting ceremony at Kanombe Military Cemetery in Kigali. The soldiers were serving under RWABATT 2 contingent which is deployed under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba ( L) and Defence minister James Kabarebe salute the fallen RDF UN peacekeepers at Kanombe military graveyard. (Timothy Kisambira) They were killed by a colleague under what the RDF leadership referred to as “unbelievable circumstances” in its history. Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba puts flowers as a sign of respect to one of the fallen RDF peacekeepers after being lowered in the grave. (Timothy Kisambira) Sgt. Maj. Peter Ntwarabugabo, Sgt. Maj. Ferdinand Nduwayezu, Sgt. Fidel Bizimana and Sgt. Bernard Ruseka died on the spot while Sgt. Eric Gasigwa succumbed to his injuries at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, where he and seven others had been evacuated. Bereaved family members, military colleagues and RDF top brass braved the hot weather to pay their last respects in a sorrowful ceremony. Defence minister James Kabarebe (L) together with Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba lay wreaths. (Timothy Kisambira) Eulogising the fallen soldiers, Gen. James Kabarebe, the Minister of Defence, comforted the bereaved families, noting that it was a very difficult moment. Relatives of the fallen RDF peacekeepers lay wreaths at Kanombe military cemetery. (Timothy Kisambira) “It is also a difficult moment to lose such a big number of long-serving, experienced and patriotic sons. It is not only a loss to the families of these soldiers, but to the RDF and the entire nation,” Kabarebe said. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the departed comrades, and prayed that they remain strong. Relatives of the fallen RDF peacekeepers mourn their beloved ones as their bodies are laid to rest. (Timothy Kisambira) “The RDF will remain by your side, and although we cannot bring back your beloved ones, we shall remain united as a bigger RDF family, where you also belong,” he said Kabarebe commended the bravery of members of RWABATT 2 who immediately engaged the assailant, killing him and saving the lives of other comrades. Rwanda Defence Forces mix the concrete to build the graves of the fallen RDF peacekeepers at Kanombe military graveyard. (Timothy Kisambira) Initial investigations, he said, confirm it was a terrorist act, the first such incident in the history of RDF. The minister noted that investigations to establish the motive behind the deplorable act continue. “They were killed in CAR on a noble Mission of contributing to international peace and security; it is an unfortunate loss to our Defence Forces, to Rwandans and to the International community,” Gen Kabarebe said. Rwanda Defence Forces honoured the burial with a 21-gun salute. (Timothy Kisambira) He added that despite the unfortunate incident, the RDF would continue to serve in MINUSCA and UN Missions. “We shall continue to give them all the support, including the RDF leadership being close to them for all the moral and psychological support. We remain focused and united while condemning abominable acts of terrorism, and we shall not succumb to such cowardly acts,” Kabarebe said. He assured the families of the fallen soldiers that the RDF would look into all legal and administrative entitlements, including follow up of UN compensation. Rwanda Defence Force soldiers carry the pictures of the fallen peacekeepers before their bodies are rested in the graves. (Timothy Kisambira) Family members laid wreaths on the graves amid a gun salute in honour of the deceased as mourners wept inconsolably. In his eulogy, Sgt. Maj. Ntwarabugabo’s older brother, told mourners that the deceased was born in Uganda in 1979 and was a humble and patriotic man who joined the military to serve his country. Rwanda Defence Forces band plays songs during the burial ceremony of the fallen RDF peacekeepers at Kanombe military graveyard. (Timothy Kisambira) Sgt. Maj. Ferdinand Nduwayezu’s uncle, said the deceased who was born in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province, became an orphan in 1994. At the time of his death, the 41-year-old was married with two sons. “He left when we still loved him. He has gone but we are sure there is another life after this. And we pledge to take good care of his children,” said a soft spoken Venant Bizimana. Relatives leave after the burial ceremony of the fallen RDF-UN peacekeepers. (Timothy Kisambira) Sgt. Bernard Ruseka was born in Burera district, in the Northern Province. At the time of his death, he was living in Nyagatare district, Eastern Province. He leaves behind a wife and one child. Born in 1972, Sgt. Fidele Bizimana was married with two children while 36-year-old Sgt. Eric Gasigwa from Kicukiro district who joined the army in 1997 is survived by a wife and daughter.

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Fallen RDF peacekeepers laid to rest