The Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), in collaboration with Rwanda Cultural and Heritage Academy (RCHA), has honoured the top five districts from the 12th edition of Urugerero and recognized individuals who have excelled in promoting Rwandan culture. The awards were presented during the celebration of World Poetry at Intare Cultural Centre, in Nyanza District.

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Urugerero: A tradition of service and unity

Urugerero is a national service programme rooted in Rwanda’s pre-colonial traditions, designed to foster national unity, patriotism, and civic engagement among young people through volunteerism and community service.

Historically, Urugerero was a military formation that defended the kingdom. Today, it serves as a platform for equipping Rwandan youth with civic education and a culture of volunteerism, empowering them to address societal challenges and contribute to national development.

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The 12th edition, held from January 13 to February 28, engaged 48,302 high school graduates from the 2023/2024 academic year (Inkomezabigwi) in various community service activities across the country.

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Top-performing districts recognized

Districts across the country participated in the programme, with the top five performers awarded for their dedication and excellence:

• Kamonyi District – 1st place (87.3%) | Award: Rwf 2,000,000
• Nyaruguru District – 2nd place (86.3%) | Award: Rwf 1,500,000
• Gatsibo District – 3rd place (86.2%) | Award: Rwf 1,200,000
• Ruhango District – 4th place (85.7%) | Award: Rwf 1,000,000
• Ngororero District – 5th place (83.8%) | Award: Rwf 800,000

These districts were recognized for their outstanding commitment to the principles of Urugerero, reflecting Rwanda’s dedication to unity, service, and cultural preservation.

Honouring culture promoters

Beyond recognizing districts, individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the promotion of Rwandan culture were also awarded. Their efforts have enriched the nation’s cultural landscape, ensuring the preservation and celebration of Rwanda’s rich heritage. The awards were presented in three categories.

1. Excellence in promoting the Kinyarwanda language:

• 1st Place: Inganzo y’Ururimi n’Umuco
• 2nd Place: Janvier Muhire
• 3rd Place: Devothe Nyiramana (Kinyarwanda teacher at Muraho Rwanda)

Nyiramana, who started her initiative to preserve Kinyarwanda after noticing the growing influence of foreign languages, expressed her passion for the cause:

"I started this journey for fun, but it turned into a calling. My dream is to build a center dedicated to teaching Kinyarwanda, cultural values, and heritage."

2. Excellence in promoting Rwandan culture and values:

• 1st Place: Red Rocks Rwanda
• 2nd Place: Nyungwe Cultural Village
• 3rd Place: Authentic Cultural Organization Rwanda

3. Excellence in preserving Rwanda’s heritage:

• 1st Place: Inanga Group (Emmanuel Habimana, Sophie Nzayisenga, Jean Marie Vianney Mushabizi)
• 2nd Place: Akagera Traditional Cultural Village Ecomuseum
• 3rd Place: Prince Rukundo

Encouraging civic and cultural engagement

Julienne Uwacu, the Executive Director for Itorero and Culture Promotion at MINUBUMWE, praised the graduates and district authorities for their dedication to inspiring young people to serve their communities.

"When you give to your country, you also give to yourself. Recognizing these districts and individuals is not just about rewarding their efforts—it is about inspiring more people to engage in preserving and promoting our cultural identity," she said.

She emphasized the role of cultural heritage in national identity: "Rwandans are inseparable from their culture. We inherit it from our ancestors, and it is our responsibility to safeguard it. Parents must play their part in passing down cultural values, and young people should embrace their heritage as a cornerstone of their identity."

Cultural preservation through community initiatives

One of the award recipients, Emmanuel Twizeyimana, is the founder and director of Akagera Traditional Cultural Village, an eco-museum in Nyankora Village, Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza District. Established in 2020, the village offers tourists an immersive experience in Rwanda’s cultural traditions while supporting the local community.

"I studied history and tourism, but I realized that it wasn’t enough if I wasn’t showcasing Rwanda’s pre-colonial past. Our museum now includes cultural symbols like traditional gourds (ibisabo), clay pots, and impinga (traditional shields), attracting visitors from all over," Twizeyimana said.

Additionally, his initiative supports vulnerable single mothers by providing free milk and eggs while also creating employment opportunities for youth, with eight permanent workers and several casual staff members.

Similarly, Joseph Nshimiyimana, known as Musinga Joe, is the founder of Authentic Cultural Organization Rwanda, based in Nyanza District. His organization is dedicated to teaching and preserving Rwanda’s culture and history, with a special focus on nurturing young people.

"We run several programmes, including Tembera Nyanza and Indejuru, to engage young people in cultural education. We believe in planting strong roots—our initiatives focus on cultivating values in youth groups such as Ibirezi, Imbuto, Indirirarugamba, and Ingobokarugamba—all essential pillars of Rwandan cultural troupes," he said.

Looking ahead

With the successful completion of the 12th edition of Urugerero, the programme continues to reinforce Rwanda’s commitment to civic engagement and cultural preservation.

The recognition of outstanding districts and cultural ambassadors serves as both an acknowledgment of their contributions and an inspiration for others to actively participate in shaping Rwanda’s future.