On Fred Rwigema’s new Sons: Let’s give credit where it’s due

In a period of a month, a legacy of Rwanda’s liberation figure Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema has moved to another level; now we know the human size of our icon. Now we know he was the normal man with private desires – which is perfectly normal. Two 23-year old university students have surfaced with similar credible accounts that they were fathered by Gen Rwigema.

Alfred Gisa Bada appeared first around late last month narrating he was born to Rwandan woman Eunice Matsiko. Then last week, Dan Mutabazi emerges – telling the already excite Rwandan public that he was aslo fathered by the revered General and Joy Bamwekingire. Unlike Alfred born in Kampala, Mutabazi’s birth place was Kabale district – near Uganda’s border with Rwanda.

The choice of platform to go public was more surprising; Facebook. Instead of searching for coverage from what would have been a skeptical news media, the two sons chose a platform where they could say anything, and on their own terms. The tactic has paid off overwhelmingly.

Photocopy or carbon copy?

Within a day of Alfred Gisa posting his testimony, the news media that had been caught off-guard struggled to pierce together facts that were hardly forthcoming. There have been hundreds of comments on different platforms – all overwhelmingly in support. In one particular story about Mutabazi, there are more than 500 comments – more than 90% of which show a population ready to receive the new boys.

The shock with which these Rwigema sons have been received is an indication of the flawless image of the fallen General. But that is where the surprise ends. Hundreds of comments share the same narrative – the striking resemblance of the two sons with their father. That has not prevented some rare cases such as where somebody commented that the known son Eric Gisa is not much of look-alike to Rwigema. One writer went as far as commenting that the new sons are not only “photocopy” of Gen Rwigema, but “carbon copy”.

By far the biggest talking point has been the reaction of Rwigema’s known widow, Janet. Up until last month, the only known children were Eric Gisa and Teta Gisa. When a local news organization asked Janet Rwigema to comment, she vehemently denied ever knowing her fallen husband had any other children. From the brief quotation, you could read a woman struggling to come to terms with the fact that what she thought was long gone, could be slowly coming back to haunt her.

Janet Rwigema should have done better!

The two new sons all share the same concerns; that they had been hiding since childhood to stay away from trouble. A particular case is that of Alfred Gisa, who said before his father went for good, he told Eunice Matsiko that Janet was her number one enemy.  When you read the testimonies of the sons, you get some doubts. But then take more time and read through the comments on Facebook and news stories, you will eventually make up your mind as you realize you are the only doubter.

As the news media gets to dig deeper, we will get to know more. So far though, one thing is clear; Janet’s reaction was completely wanting. If she is the caring and concerned mother, she should have communicated a message of conciliation to the new boys instead of rubbishing their arrival.

To many, at least gauging from the comments so far, Janet is hiding something, and soon the Pandora’s box will burst. Her denial put her on the defensive which has confirmed to many that indeed something is not right. It does not matter now whether Janet knew about the new sons, her responsibility should have been to portray herself as the mother of the family. There is no need for Janet to push herself as the innocent – it serves to confirm what we are all thinking; that the boys are telling us the bitter truth.

According to Alfred Gisa, their father Rwigema let it be known to his mother that she had to keep away from Janet’s passage way. That is a clear indication that the fallen General knew Janet was not prepared to share the Rwigema name with any other woman. Dear Janet, children are precious and innocent! God relays his love for humanity though them. It is unwarranted to pay them back with rejection! That is a direct affront to the sanctity of God’s love, and that of your late husband.

Kudos to aunt and grandmother

From the testimony of Dan Mutabazi, who lived in Rwanda between ages seven and ten, the unnamed aunt – likely to be Rwigema’s direct sister, accepted to take him in. The biggest victors from this whole affair will be the aunt and grandmother. Despite the odds, they managed to keep Mutabazi for three years.

Her decision to give up on taking care of Mutabazi to protect the relationship with Janet could be a long interesting story if it ever comes out. There have been reports in Ugandan media that despite living in Rwanda, Janet has maintained powerful connections in Uganda which have enabled her to stay put despite the challenges that come with losing a bread winner.

For now though, the sons seem determined to fight back at their stepmother. Much as some few voices have condemned them, their feelings towards such critics were summed up in a second posting from Alfred Gisa. In short he said: I don’t care, just shut up your damn self, this does not concern you.

I AGREE!