Over 130 deportees complete Itorero
Friday, July 03, 2020
Some of the deportees clap hands as they attentively follow the marks by Local Government minister, Prof. Anastase Shyaka at Nkumba Peace and Leadership Training Centre in Burera District, Northern Province.

Some 132 Rwandans who were recently deported from Uganda, on Wednesday completed a two-week Civic Education Training commonly known as 'Itorero'.

The training took place at Nkumba Peace and Leadership Training Centre in Burera District, Northern Province.

The Government opted to take the deportees through Itorero before they join their respective families, for 'comforting and counselling purposes' given the torture and humiliation they were subjected to while in Ugandan detention facilities.

This specific category was named 'Ingarukiramihigo'.

The attendees noted that the training has been fruitful, stressing that they were ready to seize the opportunities that their country offers.

"We are now committed to working together with other Rwandans to rebuild our country,” Fraterne Niyitegeka from Rwamagana District, who is keen on embarking on practicing modern farming.

The deportees some of whom were casual labourers in Uganda urged Rwandan communities to ensure they optimise available resources rather than being fooled by unsecured opportunities in other countries

While officiating at the closing ceremony, Local Government Minister Prof. Anastase Shyaka, said the trainees were subjected to 'miserable life' back in Uganda, stressing that it is against that backdrop that they were given a platform meant to help them smoothly reintegrate in society.

The first cohort of these Rwandans were deported from Uganda on June 8, 2020 through Kagitumba Border Post, while the second group came in the following day via Cyanika Border Post.

They had been illegally detained in Uganda for varying periods.