NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — Governor Boniface Rucagu has urged Rwandans to emulate the country’s fallen heroes by working hard.

He was speaking during activities to mark this year’ Heroes Day celebrations at Rubaya Primary School last week. Patriotic songs and dance by school children and traditional troupe highlighted the event.

"Heroes distinguish themselves through hard work to develop their country, fight genocide ideology and advocate for unity," said Rucagu.

The Governor noted that genocide ideology and other forms of human rights abuses in Rwanda which culminated into the 1994 Genocide, started way back in 1959, when a section of the citizens fled their country.

"Genocide ideology is extreme hatred based on ethnic differences which should be uprooted, burned and buried," added Rucagu.

Also in attendance were the RDF 408 Brigade Commander, Brig. General Eric Murokole, the Regional Police Commander Superintendent Peter Hodari and the district executive secretary Maximilian Niyonzima among others.

Murokole noted that besides being courageous at battle fields, heroes also defend the rights of their compatriots, love their country and are advocates of peace and development.

"Rubaya Sector is significant for Heroes Day commemoration because it was among the first areas in Rwanda where the RPA liberation struggle was launched in the early 1990s," Murokole said.

Ildephonse Butera, in charge of economic development, who represented the mayor Bonan Nyangezi at the function, thanked residents for developing their Sector by applying modern farming techniques, preventing soil erosion through construction of terraces and adhering to government’s policy of economic revolution.

He enumerated several pillars that residents should follow to attain development which include: Environment protection, living in community settlements, forming cooperative societies and application of ICT among others.

As part of the celebrations, a football match was played between RDF officers and Northern Province Private Sector Federation officials, which ended one goal in favor of the civilians’ side.

Ends