Burundian Refugee, Karabagega Seeks to Replace Nkurunziza

BY David Indeje · August 2, 2016 09:08 am

Words can destroy history and at the same time make history, the late Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai said, “In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”

Innocent Karabagega, 25, a father of one, heeds to the words of wisdom. He never realized he would have had a second chance at life. From being left an orphan, then into a refugee to being feted the 2015 United Nations Populations Award, together with Tegla Laroupe Foundation for their efforts empowering talented refugees and now into a fine young man full of life and potential, he forgives all who wronged him.

From being left an orphan, then into a refugee to being feted the 2015 United Nations Populations Award, Innocent Karabagega, 25, never realized he would have had a second chance at life.

“Anyone who did wrong to me, I have forgiven with all my heart,” he says as he reflects to what was done to his family forcing him to flee from Burundi as a refugee aged 19.

“My parents were politicians in Burundi, my father was a Member of Parliament and was opposing President Pierre Nkurunziza’s reign and he was assassinated together with my mother, I was also poisoned but managed to escape,” he says.

When asked if he has ever returned back to his native country, he says no, but likens his going back like Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

“I want to go back and guide the country. I have not been there directly, but through different projects that I have initiated there. My going back is like the ‘second Jesus. coming to Burundi’, before 2020. I have to be in Burundi,” he adds. “

He claims the people are tired of Nkurunziza’s leadership, women are not represented, and children are in prison and not in school citing the eleven high school students who were detained and charged with defacing a photo of President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Burundi plunged into its current leadership crisis in April 2015 when Mr Nkurunziza announced he was running for a third term, flouting the Arusha Accord 2000 agreement which disallowed for any president to run for a third term.

However, the country has kept on witnessing Hutu (majority), Tutsi and the Twa (minority) political elites tussle over land and power have led to delicate balancing of power.

Read: UN Soldiers to be Deployed in Burundi as South Sudan Continues to Bleed

The Burundian Government – the ruling party National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) –Forces for Defense of Democracy party has not initiated a peaceful democratic political transition.

Karabagega says his return is the driving force as he will be making a political entry. “My return will commence my political campaign in Burundian soil. I will be bringing them a message of hope. I am there to build not to destroy. I have been out for six years; I think I have a message.”

He has three priorities:

One, he wants to build a family unit that seeks peace and reconciliation. In terms of power, one gets a job because he/she has the capacity and competence.

Two, justice for all, where the law serves all men and women equal, “where no one is above the law, but acts for the best interests of the people and three, a country that thrives on innovation. “Burundi needs an efficient infrastructure network; we need to develop our education and health sector and the institutions…”

To ensure their peace, love and unity not just within, he says, “I cannot blame Rwanda. Its economy is better; it is cooperating with the international community.”

For a long time, the two nation’s mutual relationship has been soar with each passing day since President Nkurunziza put himself forward for a third term in April 2015 leading to allegations and counter-allegations between the two states.

In contrast, Karabagega says, “I don’t support Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni leading the peace talks between the government and opposition figures.”

“They are not doing enough. The issue at hand is the third term. Yoweri cannot be better placed because he has extended his term. It is hard for him to introduce democracy.”

“The current President for Tanzania is the one meant to lead the talks. He is a man,” he adds.

His personal emotional attachment to Kenya diverts his choice of person to lead the talks. “President Uhuru Kenyatta is the best person. Kenya is leading the East Africa Community, thus, it is in a position to resolve the Burundi stalemate.”

“Kenya saved me when I was 19. I could have died when I had nothing. I acknowledge what they did. I will do anything to Kenya safer for all.”

Karabagega has now set up a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) , Build Africa for Africans (BAFA), aimed at helping Burundi refugees in Kenya get the necessary support, to move on with their lives.

The institution focuses on education, sports, music and poetry currently serving 30 beneficiaries. “I believe any day; I will be talking to anyone in need. The door will be opened. I don’t like people in Africa called refugees, they are Africans,” he says.

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About David Indeje

David Indeje is a writer and editor, with interests on how technology is changing journalism, government, Health, and Gender Development stories are his passion. Follow on Twitter @David_IndejeDavid can be reached on: (020) 528 0222 / Email: info@sokodirectory.com