Several high-profile members of the ruling party were named and shamed during last weekend’s political bureau meeting at which some members were accused of straying from the party line.

As a result, a warning was issued to those that are thought to be putting the integrity of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) into disrepute. It was a rare occasion as Oda Gasinzigwa, one of the party commissioners, read out the names of mainly female members whom the party said are engaging in “undesirable acts.”

Lt-Col (Rtd) Rose Kabuye, who until 2010 was President Kagame’s director of protocol, and Mary Baine, who until earlier this year was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as former Rwandan ambassador to the Netherlands, Immaculee Uwanyirigira, were particularly pointed out as among the deviants.

“They have been engaging in conspiracy acts of spreading rumours with the aim of inciting the public against the government and making utterances that are not in line with the party principles,” Gasinzigwa said. “We have discussed these issues with them, especially as the Women League.

“We asked them to come before the committee and seek forgiveness and pledge to toe the party line again but they are yet to respond to this call as far as I understand.”

Both Ms Baine and Lt-Col (Rtd) Kabuye, who until recently were well-placed in the system, were not present at the meeting, even though last week they were seen separately attending court sessions of their equally embattled husbands, Col Tom Byabagamba and Capt (Rtd) David Kabuye, respectively, who are facing similar charges.

Ms Gasinzigwa also warned that more women were likely to sympathise with the “negative solidarity” group or fall in its trap. She said the group was falsely portraying the leadership of the country in negative light and spreading dangerous propaganda against the government.

Liberation veterans

Others mentioned were diplomat Joy Kanyange, a UN employee, and Anne Gahongayire, who at one time was the Justice PS. The list also included Anne Karemera and Immy Camarade, who are veterans of the liberation struggle. Ms Karemera would, however, be cleared.

According to Ms Gasinzigwa, the said women will not be left to go astray and become “outcasts” but the mere fact that they were mentioned is likely to spell doom for the embattled senior RPF cadres who have occupied several high-ranking positions in government and the military.

According to sources, both Lt-Col (Rtd) Kabuye and Ms Baine have been questioned on several occasions, not only by the party hierarchy but also by criminal investigations agents.

“Some of them are involved in activities that can lead to serious crimes, which can amount to conspiracy against the state and tarnishing the image of the government,” Ms Gasinzigwa said. “These acts, which include spreading falsehoods, depict the party wrongly.”

She added that the party will do whatever is in its powers to stop the dissidents in their tracks.

At the same meeting, MP Edda Mukabagwiza, who prior to going to parliament was Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada, publicly disowned her younger sister, Odette Mukabakomeza, who is an active member of the opposition Rwanda National Congress (RNC).

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Ms Mukabagwiza said that her sibling was a disgrace to her and her kin and that the family distanced itself from her actions.

It’s a common practice for RPF members to publicly denounce their family members or close relatives who are engaged in activities that can be described as subversive.

Party ‘still intact’

President Paul Kagame, who doubles as the RPF chairman, commended Ms Mukabagwiza for her honesty and helping to set the record straight.

The head of state also confirmed to members present that RPF was as intact as ever and warned that whoever wished to split the party was bound to fail.

Although he did not mention names, President Kagame sounded a strong warning that no individual in the party can assume to be bigger than the whole, adding that straying from what the party stands for cannot go unpunished.

Once again, the president highlighted the need to respect party hierarchies and principles lest people will find themselves in trouble from the party rules which are applicable to cases of indiscipline. He warned that the journey was still long for anyone to become complacent.

President Kagame’s speech was seemingly addressing the recent developments which saw senior cadres and military men arrested and charged with various criminal offences.

Observers say the meeting was aimed at restoring order in the party amid increasing reports of internal unrest.

“Let no one think that they are more righteous and can put RPF in the right place,” President Kagame warned. “If they ever think they can do it, they better do it within RPF.”

Opting for coded language, he added: “But if you think you can find your right place while outside RPF, it is impossible.

“RPF knows the best way to put people in their right place. For those of you who are still looking for your right place, I promise you we will find your right place for you, but not a single person is going to put RPF in its right place because it is already in the right place.”

As party leader, the president wanted to set the record straight and speak out about the reported intrigues within the RPF rank and file.

Mistrust, lack of discipline

He cautioned against mistrust and lack of discipline, which are likely to compromise the image of the party, warning that no one should ever think that they are bigger than the party itself.

“If you take a wrong direction, you either won’t arrive at your destination or you will be late,” said President Kagame in an apparent caution to party members. “We have always said that a country cannot be run by indisciplined people.”

President Kagame’s words were echoed by Senator Tito Rutaremara, who spoke at length about the principles and values that govern the liberation party.

Both Ms Baine and Lt-Col (Rtd) Kabuye, who are considered “liberation girls” for their role in the liberation struggle, were hitherto highly placed in the party hierarchy and occupied favoured positions. But their current troubles can be interpreted as the start of their fall from grace.

Bad-mouthing government

Lt-Col (Rtd) Kabuye had previously occupied different positions, including mayor and MP. She rose to fame in 2008 following her brief arrest in Germany on French arrest warrants.

Prior to serving as PS at Minaffet, Ms Baine was the commissioner-general of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), a position she occupied for a long time.

Reports indicate that the embattled duo had become “disgruntled” after being dropped and had started “bad-mouthing” the government and party leadership.

Ironically, their husbands are also facing charges of conspiracy to cover up criminal activities and illegal possession of firearms. Both Col Byabagamba and Capt (Rtd) Kabuye were equally well-placed in the government prior to their recent troubles.