Born in Rubavu District, Busasamana Sector, Kageshi Cell, Dushime crossed into the DRC at age 14. Two years later, he was recruited into the FDLR.
He is among the former combatants reintegrated into civilian life in the 75th intake. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, he was among former combatants who took part in a civic education program designed to help returnees contribute to national development, improve their livelihoods and uphold unity.
In an interview with IGIHE, Dushime,25, shared the story of his long and difficult journey back home.
'They indoctrinated us completely. We truly believed we would one day take Rwanda and rise through the ranks. I spent nine years there. I finally left after fierce fighting against the M23 in Goma, where we lost more than 150 fighters out of over 700,' he said.
Despite the defeat, he explained, FDLR commanders blamed the Congolese army (FARDC): 'They told us the FARDC had deliberately let M23 take Goma. We were abandonedâ€"left to fight alone while the Wazalendo and FARDC pulled back.'
He described the brutal battles across multiple locations: 'We fought on Mount Goma, in Gihisi, Kabutembo, Madgengo, Terminus, Mugunga, and all the way to Rusayo. After that, we fled into Virunga National Park, moved to Gitsimba, and eventually reached Tongo in Rutshuru.'
Dushime first earned a living transporting goods by bicycle, then passengers after an FDLR soldier bought him a motorcycle. Gradually drawn deeper into the group, he eventually joined fully and spent nine years fighting against Rwanda.
He never received a salary; fighters survived by looting civilians. For part of his time, he served as bodyguard to Protogène Ruvugayimikore, known as Colonel Ruhinda Gaby, commander of the FDLR's elite CRAP commando unit (Commando de Recherche et d'Action en Profondeur).
After Ruhinda was killed in Masisi in 2023, the unit continued under Lt Col Pierre Célestin Rurakabije, alias Guillaume Samba. Dushime eventually escaped while on a water-fetching mission in Bwiza, abandoning his uniform and weapon.
He travelled from Bwiza to Sake, took a motorcycle to Kibati, passed through Kanyanja, and crossed into Rwanda via illegal routes. He turned himself in to local authorities, who handed him to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). He was then transferred to Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Centre before being released into civilian life.
The turning point, Dushime said, came when he saw fellow fighters killed in Goma and buried without dignity, sometimes simply covered with grass. 'That opened my eyes. I realised I was fighting for nothing.'
Today, he describes life in Rwanda as stable and full of hope. With the 50,000 Rwandan francs he received upon reintegration, he bought a pig that has since produced six piglets. He is determined to overcome poverty and urges former comrades still in the forests to return and build better lives together.
Western Province Reserve Force Commander, Brig Gen Albert Rugambwa, warned the returnees against rejoining armed groups opposed to the government. He noted that some are tempted by lingering genocide ideology.
He assured them that reserve force programs nationwide would help them find work suited to their skills and discipline, and encouraged forming cooperatives to improve livelihoods alongside other citizens.
Valérie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), urged district leaders to support the full societal reintegration of former combatants.
She expressed satisfaction that returnees are now actively encouraging those still in eastern Congo's forests to come home, having realised they were misled and now bearing a responsibility to share the truth with others.
IGIHE
