Rwanda needs more heroes for the country’s brighter future to be secured, and the youth is a major force to that end, officials said on January 5.
They made the observations during a press conference held ahead of National Heroes’ Day.
The Day will be celebrated for the 30th anniversary on February 1, under the theme "Heroism among Rwandans, our Dignity.” It is the day on which Rwandans reflect on, and eulogise national heroes for their outstanding and important achievements.
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The Executive Secretary of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO), Deo Nkusi, said, "we consider it very important because 30 years in people’s lives are very significant.”
"Based on this theme, we encourage all Rwandans to continue striving for self-reliance, dignity, and find solutions among them, upholding and safeguarding the achievements made, and choose what is appropriate for us as Rwandans,” he said.
Nkusi pointed out that heroism is a major value in Rwandans’ culture.
"What we want most is that Rwandans be heroes, meaning that they should fulfill heroic values. But, most especially, we want the Rwandan youth to be heroes,” he said, pointing out that they should embrace values including patriotism, unity (social cohesion), hard work, and integrity.
"It is heroism that built this country, protected it, and delivered it from the troubles it went through. And those people who became heroes and protected this country, were in most cases, youth. If you lack the youth, the country’s future will not be secured,” he said.
He underscored the need to put the greatest effort possible into ensuring that the youth learn from the heroic deeds of their predecessors for the benefit of the country.
Solange Tetero, the Director General of Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, said that they want the youth to better understand heroism and its importance in the country’s development.
"The youth should understand that there is a need for more heroes, and that they should come from the youth; through different achievements they realise for the country in building and safeguarding it,” she said.
Planned activities
There are activities planned in a heroism month in line with preparations for National Heroes’ Day and its celebration.
The month was launched on January 5 and will be concluded on January 31.
Nkusi said activities planned include talks to be delivered through different media outlets, in schools (primary, secondary, and universities), and in public and private institutions.
Also, there will be Ubutwari Tournament which he said will feature different sports including football, basketball, volleyball, sitting volleyball, handball, and cycling.
There will also be a concert to extol national heroes, which will be held on January 31.
Again, there will be a ceremony to honour national heroes, on February 1, at the National Heroes' Mausoleum in Remera, Kigali.
Across the country, at village level, it is expected that on February 1, there will be talks about heroism, recognising people with outstanding deeds, and supporting the vulnerable, among others.
Meanwhile, CHENO indicated that through the partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rwanda’s embassies in different countries, Rwandan communities abroad will also celebrate National heroes’ Day.
There are three categories in which Rwandan heroes are classified – Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.
Among Imanzi (the top category that a person cannot join when they are still alive), there is an Unknown Soldier (representing all the unidentified members of the armed struggle who paid the ultimate price in the effort to liberate Rwanda from a dictatorial, divisive regime), and Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema.
For Imena, there is King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Michel Rwagasana, Agathe Uwilingiyimana, Félicité Niyitegeka, and Nyange Students.
No person has been named to the Ingenzi category thus far.