The minister for Sports and Culture, Julienne Uwacu, has revealed that Rwandans in the Diaspora will also commemorate this year’s National Harvest Day celebrations (Umuganura).

Addressing journalists at the ministry on Monday afternoon, Uwacu further said, in the country, the event will be brought closer to people at the mudugudu (village) level.

"On August 7, residents of each village will convene and their leaders will highlight what has been achieved as well as what the Government expects to be achieved,” she said.

"Rwandans in the Diaspora, too, will mark the day from where they are. This will be an opportunity to showcase the Rwandan culture to the communities they live in,” the minister added.

The national celebrations will be held in Nyagatare.

The day will be marked by events such as parading Inka z’Urwanda – an activity where cattle and their benefits are showcased.

Uwacu explained that celebrating Umuganura signifies the journey that Rwandans have been walking towards self-reliance.

"It is a way in which our culture unites us to find solutions to our everyday challenges; to forge a way forward as people with a common goal.”

The Agaciro Development Fund will also be celebrated as one of the initiatives by Rwandans towards self-reliance.

Umuganura is a traditional agricultural event, where kings used to meet and share harvests with their subjects.

Today, the day is, among other things, used to assess health issues. Leaders also use the day to highlight developments in their areas and discuss future goals with the citizens.

The day has previously been marked on August 1, but effective this year, it will be celebrated on the first Friday of every August.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Sports and Culture in partnership with Agaciro Development Fund and ministries of agriculture; local government; trade and industry; among others. This year’s theme is’ "Unity is basis for self-reliance”.

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