Ahead of Heroes Day celebrations on Wednesday, February 1, Rwandan youth in the country and abroad have been called to uphold the values that characterised the country’s heroes throughout centuries.
Heroic values are unity, patriotism, selflessness, cooperation and integrity, among others.
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The 29th Heroes Day will be held under the theme "Heroism amongst Rwandans, Our Dignity.”
"This year’s theme is very precise and we wanted the young people to understand what the country expects from them,” explained Rosemary Mbabazi, the Ministry of Youth and Culture.
She added: "The heroes who liberated Rwanda wanted to restore dignity. Their heroic deeds in fighting against discrimination and injustices gave us the dignity we cherish today. Therefore, the youth need to appreciate that dignity is priceless and live up to heroic acts, wherever they are.”
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Rwanda’s celebrated heroes are in three categories, namely Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi, according to the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO).
Imanzi is the highest order, featuring people who registered utmost achievements at the expense of their own lives, among other things.
Imanzi currently has two people; Late Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema, the first commander of the liberation struggle, and the Unknown Soldier, who represents those who died during the liberation struggle.
Imena has different people including King Umutara III Rudahigwa, former Prime Minister Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Felicite Niyitegeka, Michel Rwagasana and the Nyange Students.
Ingenzi category features heroes who are still alive. Unlike the other categories, a list of the Ingenzi heroes has not yet been published.
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"Rwandans, especially the young, have to uphold the values such as unity, cooperation and integrity, in the development struggle,” said Prisca Uwamahoro, one of the Nyange students.
"The youth in particular should brave enough to say no to anyone who would try to involve them unpatriotic acts or divisionism. It is also right to say no to indecent behaviour that jeopardises their bight future and the country’s development.”
The youth are encouraged to learn from the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) Inkotanyi, who liberated the country and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Lt Gen Innocent Kabandana explained that Rwandan security forces today reflect the country’s heroic spirit, who characterized the Liberation heroes like Rwigyema.
"Even Rwandan troops, who are deployed in different peacekeeping missions across the world, are guided by our cultural values and the country’s history,” Kabandana said.
"If Rwandan security forces are protecting civilians in other countries today, it’s because they have done that in our country. When we say never again to genocide or similar massacres, it’s not just in Rwanda; it also applies anywhere else.”
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"More and more Rwandans who live abroad have appreciated our country’s dignity and committed to protect it,” said Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Rwanda’s ambassador to Poland.
"There are Rwandans here who do not hold public office, but who defend the country whenever anyone tries to speak ill about it. A growing number of them have even started to communicate regularly about Rwanda’s achievements and that also is one of the ways to uphold the country’s dignity.”
Shyaka said that with unity and collaboration, Rwandans in the country and abroad can solve the still remaining challenges.
Some of the heroic activities done by Rwandans abroad today include teaching and explain Rwandan history and the cultural values, said Moses Gashirabake, a lawyer who lives in Canada.
"Another, more impactful act is to fight denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which had terrible impact on our country. We do everything possible to bring to justice the genocide deniers,” Gasherebuka said.