On Monday, July 4, our country celebrated the 22nd anniversary since the courageous, ambitious, focused and brave young men and women in uniform of Rwanda Patriotic Army liberated our country. This came after a four-year protracted struggle that saw them endure freezing temperatures in the harsh, thick mountains and wider valleys, withstanding thunderstorms and braving the scorching sun to overrun the enemy and subsequently stopping the most vicious genocide in history of mankind, one in which over a million innocent people were killed in just 100 days. July 4, therefore, is a day to remember, reflect and celebrate; it’s a day that marks an end to the ugly chapter in our country’s history and a beacon of hope to millions of Rwandans on their lives, liberties and ultimate future. It is a time to remember and reflect on how determined and battle-hardened Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) troops and the RPF-Inkotanyi, liberated our motherland from withering flames of discrimination, endless injustices, tribalism, sectarianism, and other unimaginable suffering that had held the country back for decades. It is a day to remember when these gallant patriots with their meager means, put an end to one of the most meticulously planned genocides in the recent history. Yet on the other hand, it is a great moment for all Rwandans, old and the young, the rich and the poor, men and women to celebrate the re-birth of a nation and recognise the tremendous work done by our liberators in laying the ground, re-constructing and shaping the future and destiny that befits us all. Only 22 years after liberation, our country has against all odds witnessed and celebrated a great era of unprecedented peace, unity, reconciliation, security as well as economic development that has manifested in many ways. It is indeed time to celebrate our country’s own home-grown initiatives championed by our revolutionary and transformative leader Paul Kagame and to mention a few, they include, Gir’inka, VUP, Ubudehe, Umurenge and Umwarimu Saccos, basic education for all Rwandan children and One Laptop Per Child. Don’t you believe as Rwandans we should celebrate that on a macro level, our country’s economic growth has been sustainably maintained at an average of 8% since 2011 with the GDP per capita more than tripling from $ 211 in 2011 to $ 718 in 2014? Our country has also been celebrated globally as having the highest women representation in decision making organs and has since recently became a regional and international destination for major meetings and conferences. A case in point the just-concluded World Economic Forum on Africa and the upcoming 27th African Union summit slated for 10th to 18th July in Kigali that is expected to attract over 3500 people including Heads of state of AU member states. It particularly pleases me as a father that this great day coincides with the birth of my child who, as we celebrated the 22nd time the liberation of our beloved country, he was marking his second anniversary. I am happy that my son was luckily born in a very peaceful, dignified and prosperous country with access to modern basic needs in health, education and all other amenities, unlike myself and many Rwandans, whose childhood was a story of suffering that writing would take more than the space allocated for this article but one that has been vastly written about. Therefore, as we permit ourselves a moment of sober satisfaction, radiant with self-esteem and almost impenetrable shell of honor on all the strides taken, we should keenly be aware that the liberation struggle continues with view to making Rwanda a self-reliant, knowledge-driven and middle-income country. It is therefore ,a cardinal responsibility for every Rwandan to multiply and solidify our efforts, zeal, sacrifice and determination towards realization of this dream. To our liberation heroes, led by H.E Paul Kagame, happy Liberation Day, your values, patriotism and liberation spirit is stronger today because of your sacrifices and to my lucky son, Happy Birth Day Muhungu Mwiza. The writer is a grateful liberated Rwandan.
