Fred Gisa Rwigema: A Portrait of a Trans African hero

During the 1960s through to the 1990s and well into the 21st century the Great Lakes region of Africa has been filled with some of the worst violent upheavals humanity has ever witnessed. Revolutions littered the national political landscapes in Rwanda, Burundi, the DR Congo, Uganda and other countries. Being a refugee from Rwanda- a victim of political tragedy and to settle in a country such as Uganda which was equally gripped in a violent political contest meant many different things to many different people. Coming out of the shadows of such a background to gain a super heroic status was, and is, one of the most dramatic political episodes to have ever been played in the region, then and now. In the midst of all the mayhem and chaos, there were many people who tried to rise up and tackle the very essence of this conflict: freedom and charting a new political dispensation. Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema was among one the best-known soldiers of freedom during that era. Famous for traversing the entire length and breath of the powder keg that was the great lakes region, Rwigema while resting in peace his death signifies as we speak the need for the region to see lasting peace and freedom despite the blinding discrimination and other forms of vices which was at the core of the political systems in the region at this time. During this time it seemed apparent to many conscious young men that the luxuries and natural God-given rights of humans would not be obtained through peaceful means, but, when absolutely necessary, through what they were experiencing daily: armed struggle. Fred Rwigema was first and foremost a refugee. Times were rough and sad for those who lived in those camps. The only viable way out was to fight for freedom. At a tender age of nineteen, he was firmly a freedom fighter. At the age of twenty two he was part of a movement which had succeeded in kicking out an African tyrant in the name of Idi Amin Dada. And at twenty nine he was part of another movement that brought Uganda under a new dispensation. Fred proved that no matter what the obstacles might be, anything is possible through hard work, dedication and focus. Rising up from hard times and trying to overcome the traps of a tough childhood was not easy. He became one of the most inspirational and motivational icons in Rwanda’s history. Fred was a very brave fighter. He risked his life when he engaged himself in a string of daring liberation projects from Mozambique, Uganda and Rwanda and thus became a symbol of freedom in these countries. He sacrificed his own life to become a trans African hero, one of Africa’s such heroes. Fred had courage. As one of the founders of the Rwanda Patriotic Front he took the bull by its horns by leading from the front quite literally speaking. He died in the front lines. His death gave the other members the urge to take the struggle to the next level. Fred is thus an inspiration. He fought in some of Africa’s most prominent liberation wars of the 20th century. Mozambique’s Frelimo, Uganda’s UNLA and NRM and Rwanda’s RPF. Infact to my knowledge this is the only African hero to have successfully traversed Africa while preaching the message of freedom and courage. He has a proud place within African history. Ends