Elie

.@JMuhongayire yavuze uko FFRP yashinzwe mu gihugu gishaka kwiyubaka, kivuye mu mateka akomeye yasize abapfakazi benshi, hagamijwe gukora ubuvugizi kugira ngo ihame ry'uburinganire n'ubwuzuzanye rizirikanwe muri politiki y'igihugu, mu gutora amategeko no guhagararira abaturage.

Ambassador Col. (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Karemera has passed on after over 10-years battling cancer. Amb.Karemera was an ordinary man who accomplished extraordinary things in service to his country. As one of the founding members of the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF), Ambassador Karemera was on the frontlines during the war to liberate #Rwanda, using his skills as a medical doctor to treat injured soldiers. Beyond his military service, Ambassador Karemera played his part in rebuilding the nation after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. When I was young and first learnt of him as the Minister of Education, he was not just a leader, but a father figure—kind, approachable, and deeply invested in the future of Rwanda’s youth. His mission after the genocide was clear: to give the next generation the opportunities he himself had struggled to obtain during decades in exile. He worked tirelessly to secure scholarships for countless young Rwandans, sending them to universities overseas, including La Roche, where many will forever One thing that I will always remember about Ambassador Karemera for was his firm position against academic dishonesty. The stories around this were intriguing. He was a staunch advocate for merit-based education, believing that only those who genuinely earned their degrees should reap the benefits. His zero-tolerance policy towards copying, suspending students found guilty of this for two or more years are legendary, making him both revered and feared. It was common knowledge that that he would not hesitate to tear up degrees that were obtained through dishonest means, a symbolic act that highlighted his commitment to upholding the standards of Rwanda’s education system. When confronted about the tearing up of degrees obtained through dubious means, he is remembered for boldly saying, “Ufite intare ayiziture.” 🤣🤣 adding, “In politics, I am a Minister; in the military, a Colonel; and in education, a Doctor. Everything I do is intentional and carefully calculated.” His battle with cancer was long and difficult, and those close to him witnessed the toll it took. Yet even in his final years, Ambassador Karemera faced his illness with remarkable strength, continuing to work and serve his country. His resilience was a testament to the man he was—someone who stood tall in the face of adversity, refusing to be defined by the challenges before him. Now, though he has rested, Ambassador Karemera’s legacy lives on. His contributions to Rwanda, both as a liberator and as a builder of futures, are footprints that will forever be etched in our history. In our hearts and minds, his spirit continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of dedication, compassion, and unwavering service to the nation. May he Rest In Peace. To the family, Mukomere.