Thirty-two years after Rwanda’s liberation, a new generation that did not live through the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is working to uphold unity and oneness, driven by the belief that safeguarding these values is essential to the country’s future.
Speaking to The New Times ahead of the liberation celebrations, several young Rwandans reflected on what Liberation Day means to them and how it has shaped their understanding of the nation they are inheriting.
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"Liberation reminds us that peace should never be taken for granted," said William Habimana, one of the young people interviewed.
"It teaches us that unity is stronger than division, and that a nation can recover and prosper when its people work together,” he added.
For Melissa Keza, another young person interviewd, growing up in peace is something she never takes for granted.
"I grew up in a peaceful and stable country. Liberation Day reminds me of the sacrifices that made that possible," Keza said.
"The greatest lesson I have learned is the importance of unity, love, resilience, and patriotism,” she added.
Their fellow youth Philibert Mbonigaba, said liberation is not only about remembering the past but also about continuing the work of building the nation.
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"The lesson I have learnt from Rwanda&039;s liberation is courage and hard work," he said. "The former RPA soldiers liberated our country and saved it from bad leadership. Their bravery inspires me to be courageous and work hard so I can contribute to the progress Rwanda has already achieved."
For Appophia Usanabaganwa, the lesson is that unity is the foundation of a country's development.
Jimmy Irakiza, a software development professional born after the Genocide, recalls attending Liberation Day celebrations as a child at Stade Umuganda in Gisenyi, and how he later learned more about its meaning.
"As a little boy I did not have much knowledge about the liberation struggle, apart from celebrating that day. But as I grew up and learned the history of the country, I came to understand that the liberation of Rwanda meant fighting for equal rights among Rwandans, which was achieved by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) after stopping the genocide and liberating the entire country,” he said.
Ruth Munyampundu, a 25-year-old university student pursuing Food Biotechnology, said liberation represents the restoration of peace, security, and hope for Rwanda’s future.
She said it marks the moment that ended violence and allowed the country to rebuild. She added that it also represents unity, resilience, and the chance for young people to grow up in a peaceful nation.
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From her family, community, and education, she has heard accounts of suffering during the Genocide and how liberation ended the violence.
"These stories have helped me appreciate the importance of peace, reconciliation, and national unity. They have helped me understand the sacrifices made by those who contributed to Rwanda’s liberation,” she said.
For Neige Trésor Ikuzo, stories of liberation make her realise the importance of sacrifice and courage.
"I was born after the liberation, so I didn’t see that Rwanda myself. I only know it from the people who lived through it. One thing that always stands out in their stories is how uncertainty shaped daily life. Fear was normal, and chances in life depended on who you were, not what you could do,” she said.
She added that listening to those stories has made her realise that Rwanda’s progress did not happen by chance, but through sacrifice, courage, and difficult choices.
Ikuzo said every opportunity she has today is rooted in liberation. She has been able to study, serve in national institutions, represent Rwanda, and take part in initiatives shaping the country’s future. Through the Our Past Initiative, she has also helped preserve and share stories of those who came before.
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"None of this would have been possible without Rwanda choosing reconstruction over despair and investing in its young people. I carry these opportunities with gratitude and responsibility,” she said.
Ikuzo added that the main challenge is ensuring young people remain connected to the history that redefined today’s Rwanda.
"Since we did not experience Rwanda before liberation ourselves, we have to make a deliberate effort to learn, listen, and remember. If we understand where we come from, we are more likely to protect what we have and contribute to where Rwanda is going,” she said.