Meddie Kagere can’t wait to don the Amavubi jersey again after legally completing the naturalization process to become Rwandese.
The Ugandan born Gor Mahia forward was among the players who were stripped of citizenship a few years ago after it emerged that many foreign players had acquired Rwandan passports illegitimately.
“It’s an amazing feeling to get Rwandan citizenship because I had waited for this day for a long time,” said Kagere after he was sworn in as Rwandan at the City Hall in Kigali Tuesday. “I cannot wait to pull on the shirt (of Amavubi) again and to play for Rwanda again,” he added.
I know I have what it takes to play again for Rwanda and I will continue working hard to earn my place in the team.
The striker had netted over 10 goals for the Amavubi since his debut in 2011 but his dream for more caps and goals like many others, vanished in 2015
The decision to withdraw citizenship from Kagere and many others was a result of Rwanda’s disqualification from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for using a player with double identity – striker Dady Birori, who also holds a Congolese passport under the name Agiti Tady Etekiama.
The 32 year old played for Mbale Heroes and Masaka LC in Uganda, Rayon Sports, SC Kiyovu, Police FC and the now-defunct Atraco FC in Rwanda as well as Tunisian side Esperance Sportive de Zarzis.