The genesis of Dr David Himbara's anger

Dr David Himbara never recovered from being refused entry into Village Urugwiro. Around the end of 2009, Himbara was replaced from his job in Office of the President. The following day, Himbara woke up very early as usual going to work.

At the entrance, the presidential security couldn’t let him in. It’s obvious, because security protocols require that any guests are recorded beforehand. He had no invitation.

Arrogant as he had always been, Himbara probably imagined that he would walk into the presidential office whenever he pleases. I highly doubt anyone else, including the President’s family, apart from the First Lady perhaps, have that right of unfettered access.

The Presidency and the holder, is an institution of a country, whose security becomes of paramount importance. However, Himbara had convinced himself, from years of having access there, that he could walk in at anytime he wished.

In his usual English language bravado, Himbara shouted at the guards at the entrance, asking them “Do you know who I’m? My name is Dr David Himbara. I work here.”

Poor Himbara had not come to terms that he no longer had security clearance to enter Village Urugwiro.

Denied entry, disappointed and fuming, Himbara went back home. He couldn’t fathom not being in Village Urugwiro.

In the few days that followed, Himbara became sick from the trauma. He asked to travel to South Africa for treatment, hoping he would be denied exit and eventually “begged” to come back to work.

Well, that expectation never came. Himbara left in January 2010 and never came back to Rwanda.

Till today, Himbara has never and may never recover from the thought of not enjoying the bravado of the Presidency and all the power that came with it.  

Whatever Himbara says about his former employer President Kagame, the incident of that 2009 day, is the driver of his anger. He will say anything, as long as it gives him comfort.

In Kinyarwanda, that feeling Himbara gets after writing his blog posts is summarized by the common saying in our language as “Shaaa namubwiye wa kavuna muheto” (loosely translated as ‘Damn, I feel so good after saying that’).

It is a result of what Rwandans call ‘inzika no kwihimura’.