The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Jean-Damascène Bizimana, reiterated that as "Rwanda is now in a developing stage and no longer in a rebuilding phase”, the unity of Rwandans is as essential as "the spirit that people breathe” for "Rwandans without their unity cannot exist.” Bizimana said during the "Rubyiruko Menya Amateka Yawe” programme, an ongoing initiative held in Gisagara District, Southern Province on Saturday, March 1.

The event attracted over 1,000 youths from southern districts, including Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Huye, Nyanza, and Ruhango, who gathered at Gisagara Gymnase. Organised by MINUBUMWE, the programme aims to educate young people on Rwanda’s history, values, and cultural heritage while equipping them with knowledge to contribute to national development and protection.

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"The unity of Rwandans is comparable to the spirit that people breathe. The spirit of Rwandans is their unity. Rwandans without their unity cannot exist,” he noted.

This comes just a month before the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Among the many causes of this tragic event, divisive ideologies planted by colonists and later nurtured by bad leadership played a significant role. As explained chronologically during the programme, these harmful attitudes ultimately led to the Genocide, whose effects Rwandans continue to grapple with to this day.

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Bizimana pointed out that this is a crucial time to engage young people, especially as victims of such a tragic history, to help them better understand what is right for the future generations.

"Young people are given special attention because many were born after the Genocide, while others witnessed their parents being killed. Some were even forced by their parents to participate in the killings, despite being too young to fully understand what was happening. Thus, teaching this history and reinforcing the unity that Rwandans had before this tragic period, which was a result of bad leadership is important,” he explained.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to understand how genocide ideology infiltrated schools, where colonialists and catholic churches in 1920s, 1930s and 1940s were in charge of schools. Additionally, politicians, orchestrated many of the government policies encouraged the division of students into Tutsi and Hutu schools.

"It is crucial to educate young people about the methods used to spread this ideology, which ultimately led to the Genocide with the intent of exterminating them,” he added.

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During the event, the youth had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda&039;s history. They explored the past, learning from both negative figures who orchestrated the killings of the Tutsi and positive figures whose good deeds are still celebrated to date.

Among the honourable mentions was Michel Rwagasana, a national hero classified under the Imena category, the second tier of Rwanda’s national heroes. He, along with many others, is celebrated annually.

Rwagasana born in Ruhango District was a founding member of UNAR (Union Nationale Rwandaise), a political organisation that advocated for Rwanda’s unconditional independence. At the time of his death in 1963, he was serving as the party’s Secretary General.

Despite numerous challenges—including rejecting a ministerial position offered by then-President Grégoire Kayibanda, who was a close relative—Rwagasana and his colleagues firmly opposed the ruling Parmehutu party. They took a strong stand against its policies, which promoted the exclusion of a section of Rwandan society (Tutsi). His unwavering stance against divisionism ultimately led to his life cut short.

Janvier Agakunzababiri, a youth leader from Mamba Sector in Gisagara District, shared his key takeaway, emphasising the importance of unity among Rwandans before colonial rule. He expressed his commitment to spreading similar narratives to contribute to Rwanda’s ongoing policies.

"I was amazed by how Michel Rwagasana became a hero during such difficult times in his era. It’s indescribable. He has a lot to teach us, and I urge my fellow young people to deeply learn about Rwanda, especially our origins in Kanyarwanda,” he said.

Rachel Ishimwe, from Mamba Sector, said she learned a lot, including the importance of being active on social media to counter the spread of genocide denial and negative ideologies by anti-Tutsi extremists.

"My fellow young people should pay attention to the false narratives circulating on social media. I am actively involved in this fight, and I urge others to do the same. We need to stand together in unbreakable unity, ready to confront any criticism targeting our country,” she said.