About 3,000 youth converged at IPRC Kigali grounds, in Kicukiro yesterday to honour the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), that launched Rwanda’s liberation struggle on October 1, 1990 and went on to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event was part of activities organised to mark the 20th liberation anniversary that is due on July 4. 

It was organised by Action For Change Initiative (ACI), a group that brings together former student leaders at higher institutions of learning in the country.

"We commend the army, especially those who served in the liberation movement, for creating  a platform that has helped transform the country,” said Daniel Komezusenge, the head of the group.

Martin Ruvugabigwi, the group’s head of  mobilisation and development, said stability, cleanliness and transparency that characterise the country are all due to the foundation laid by RPF/A.

"It took sacrifice, many left their rather comfortable lives behind, some got injured and others died. So this is in honour of those heroic deeds,” he noted.

"As youth we were inspired to participate in this march, because majority of people who constituted the liberation movement were youth like us,” he added.

Ruvugabigwi mentioned that testimonies about the liberation struggle by army veterans inspire youth. The event opened with a 5-kilometre march from the Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura to  IPRC– Kigali.