Own development process – Kagame

President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to be more involved in activities that are critical to their own development if they are to achieve sustainable well being, a message that the head of state delivered on Liberation Day yesterday.

Thursday, July 04, 2013
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette join other patriotic Rwandans in songs and dance during celebrations to mark the 19th Liberation Day at Kami Barracks in Gasabo District yesterday. Kagame urged Rwandans to get involved in programmes that improve their wellbeing. The New Times/ Village Urugwiro.

President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to be more involved in activities that are critical to their own development if they are to achieve sustainable well being, a message that the head of state delivered on Liberation Day yesterday.The President was addressing the nation in Gasabo District during celebrations to commemorate Rwanda’s 19th Liberation Day."You can never achieve your own development if you are not involved,” Kagame said, urging Rwandans to always take part in development activities aimed at improving their own wellbeing."Rwandans cannot afford to be mere observers in issues of concern for their own lives.”The local celebrations took place at Kami Military Barracks, where various infrastructure facilities at the camp rehabilitated by Rwanda Defence Forces were inaugurated.Also inaugurated are 150 houses built by RDF for vulnerable genocide survivors and people evacuated from high disaster risk zones around Kigali City.Kagame lauded the army’s efforts in solving the country’s problems and encouraged other Rwandans to find more original ways to solve their problems without having to beg from outside."I encourage you to work in extraordinary ways,” he said in a speech that was also broadcast live on the national television and Radio Rwanda.Liberation Day marks the day when the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide against Tutsis in 1994 and established an all inclusive government.Celebrations for this year’s Liberation Day were held at village level under the theme "Celebrating Africa’s Renaissance, Working towards Self-reliance”, which encompasses a wider theme of African renaissance and the commitment of Rwandans to be self-reliant. Overjoyed celebrantsThe African Union this year celebrated 50 years of existence.Liberation Day is a public holiday in the  country,  a moment that citizens reflect and celebrate what they have achieved in terms of freedom and cherish various heroes that led them through the process for years.A resident of Gasabo District, who jovially sung and danced as President Kagame joined the villagers and the army in a dance at the event, could not hide her joy on the Liberation Day."I feel happy because we got to celebrate together (with the President),” said Olive Nyiragisigari, a mother of five children.

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