By: Dianah Mutimura
Motivation, courage and above all the spirit of nationalism inspired Rwandan refugee females to contribute to the five year armed struggle that brought back hundreds of thousands of stateless Rwandans to their home country-Rwanda.
Igihe.com had the opportunity to interview Capt. Jane Murebwayire and what encouraged her to join the army.
Igihe.com:Tell us your names and background?
Murebwayire:I am captain Jane Murebwayire, I was born in Uganda and I am fourth born child in the family of Eight. I won’t speak much about my family and I’m happily married with three children.
I went to Juru primary school at Nyakivara(nakivale), in Uganda and Kololo Secondary School and thereafter joined the army when I was in senior five.
Igihe.com: What motivated you to join the Army and how did your parents react to your decision?
Murebwayire: My motivation came from, when Ugandans used to call us different names.We always had to hide our nationality in order to fit in society and obtaining education without discrimination. All this was in my mind and I wished to see my home country.
It was not until I got contact with the then RPF/A cadres then secretly mobilizing people to take active part in the liberation struggle. We sometimes formed dancing groups and performed our cultural dance and folk songs. Thereafter, the cadres would sensitize us on the FPR liberation struggle and strategies.
That’s how I became a member of RPF/A too.Precisely, that’s how I joined the army but remember, I never joined army because I liked the army but I wanted to liberate my country.
My parents had no idea that i had joined the army. They only learnt of it later after i had already been conscripted. By that time, I was living with my uncle in Kampala, Uganda and left without informing him. I joined RPA after learning that my young brother had joined the military struggle.
Igihe.com: What does it mean to be liberated?
Murebwayire: To me, being liberated opens my mind everyday and makes me continue contributing to nation building with my heart, because Rwanda has really progressed since the war ended. Our government has initiated and implemented useful policies that reconstructed five year war damages and reconciliated all Rwandans .
Igihe.com: What’s your experience as a liberator?
Murebwayire: As a liberator, it gives me flashbacks of the past when I was in the bush; when other people are happy, me I am unhappy; not because I did not reach on my success but because I always remember all my fellow combatants who died before stepping in their mother country, yet that was their common dream.
I cannot forget people that lost their lives for the sake of liberating Rwanda, like Shyaka who died on October 1st in 1990.
Igihe.com :Why do we still have reluctance of women getting involved or joining the army?
Murebwayire: Having strong self –confidence is a very big element of growing up and making hard decisions, like deciding to join the army that young ladies today fear because they think the army is a career for men only. Due to peer pressure, ladies need to exhibit self-esteem enabling them in making bold decisions; it’s important to know that you are a worthy human being.
Igihe.com: What’s your opinion on cultural and religious impediments to gender equality benefits to the rural woman?
In most African countries generally although Rwanda is better off, there are some cultural setbacks especially illiterate women that do not know their rights and are still living in the dark.
Igihe.com: Rwanda has a respectable global position on women involvement in the management of affairs of the state. What message do you send to women in other countries that are negatively affected by gender-based policies due to culture and governance?
Murebwayire: I advise women that are still suffering from anyform of gender discrimination to stand up for their constitutional rights. For example in my senior 4, our head prefect saw a lorry(truck) passing by and told me to summon all fellow Rwandans, insinuating that we shouldnt miss free transport to Rwanda.I got so annoyed me and from then I vowed to fight for my rights.
Igihe.com: Do you think Rwanda is ready for a woman president?
Murebwayire: I am confident that in the near future, if women continue to struggle for their rights with government support- why not? Who thought that U.S.A would have a black president? Positive minds are always important in society.
Igihe.com: Isn’t it a challenge for a woman in combat and juggling military and family duties?
Murebwayire: Well, I joined the army as early as 1989 while a student. At first my role as a cadre was to secretly mobilize Rwandans, teaching them about the beauty of RPF and the aim of repatriating Rwandan refugees to their rightful homeland.
However, when I joined the bush in 1990 I thought the war would last like three days but unfortunately it didn’t turn out as i thought. My experience was never bad because my dream was to see my country and putting an end to manipulation and being called different names in exile.
Regarding mixing work and family, I got married after the war in 1999 when there was no more fighting ; my work is normal like for others who work in different fields.
Igihe.com: What’s your position on reducing the marriage age of a Rwandan girl from 21 to 18 years?
As mother of two girls, I cannot wish my daughter to get married at 18 because she would young. I know you can say I joined army when I was young but that is a different case because marriage and army are two different things. In the army you are taught discipline but at 18 who will find you in your marriage and teach you how to take care of your husband?
Igihe.com :What advice would you give to the young ladies who want to join the army but fear to risk?
They should not fear to risk . As for me I joined the army knowing that we would fight for a shorter time but it took longer and I did not back off, I continued because I knew what I wanted. So young girls who want to be strong solders of tomorrow should follow what their conscience tells them.
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