Ninety soldiers demobilised from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have been urged to lead with example in the respective communities where they are going to start their new chapter of life.Jean Sayinzoga, the chairperson of Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), who was meeting the soldiers, also tipped them on conduct.The 90 are currently undergoing a week-long reintegration training at the Kanombe Military Camp in Kicukiro District.They are part of the 4,000 demobilised soldiers from phase 16 D of 2010, who had not been discharged because they were still on missions outside the country, while others were ill and needed treatment. They range from private to lieutenant colonel.“The people in your respective neighbourhoods expect you to help them understand different programmes such as modern farming, doing business, among others. Our armed forces have emerged as dependable opinion leaders, especially during retirement,” said Sayinzoga.He said the training would enlighten the former soldiers on development programmes. The training also includes skills that can help the officers and their families, like entrepreneurship.On top of these skills, he said, they should do their best to make good use of the demobilisation package to help them start a new life instead of being a burden to their families and communities.“This time, your benefits will be given to you in lump sum unlike in the past where we would disburse it in installments, because most of your colleagues spent it irresponsibly. Invest in good projects,” Sayinzoga said.Sayinzoga said the demobilised soldiers will be given packages ranging from Rwf780,000 for a lieutenant colonel, while the most junior will get Rwf360,000.Lt (Rtd) Eric Rukimbira, 42, said with the start-up funds, they can make it. He plans to further his education.In the reintegration process, ex-soldiers get different forms of support like medical treatment, education and life skills and start-up funds.
