The soldiers arrived at Kigali International Airport on Monday, March 16, where they were warmly received by senior military officials. Among them was Major Gen Alex Kagame, Chief of Reserve Forces, who congratulated the troops for their dedication, professionalism and discipline throughout the mission.
He praised them for representing Rwanda well abroad and reminded them that such conduct should guide them in every assignment they undertake.
The soldiers were part of a specialized RDF engineering unit deployed to assist Jamaica after the country was struck by Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread destruction.
The hurricane damaged homes, roads and other essential infrastructure, leaving many residents without shelter.
During their 60-day deployment, which began on January 15, the Rwandan engineers worked alongside Jamaican authorities and local communities to repair and rebuild damaged structures.
Their work focused on restoring key infrastructure and helping communities recover from the devastating effects of the disaster.
Their efforts were highly appreciated by the leadership of the Jamaica Defence Force. The force’s commander, Antonette Wemyss Gorman, praised both the professionalism and the character of the Rwandan troops.
“It is something to be proud of and truly appreciated,” she said.
“These soldiers spent two months among our communities, working closely with people and identifying what needed to be done. Throughout their stay, nothing negative was heard about them, and they have left a very good example here in Jamaica.”she added.
The mission demonstrates Rwanda’s growing role in international humanitarian and peace support efforts. By sending skilled personnel to assist a country thousands of kilometers away, Rwanda continues to strengthen its reputation as a reliable partner in times of crisis while promoting solidarity between nations facing natural disasters.
Pichou Byiringiro/The kaminuza star