‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ drive now taken to the grassroots

Rwandans across the country will be holding Ndi Umunyarwanda sessions in their respective villages (imidugudu) on Heroes’ Day on Saturday, officials at the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) have said. Preparations for the countrywide sessions have been ongoing since Monday, with officials at sector and cell levels conducting Ndi Umunyarwanda sessions and strategising on how to take the message to their villages on Heroes’ Day. During the sessions, people recount the country’s dark history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. Also testimonies are shared, confessions made paving way for forgiveness and healing. The exercise is seen as a major step in the country’s unity and reconciliation process following the end of the Genocide that claimed more than a million Rwandans. “Ndi Umunyarwanda is important in the unity and reconciliation process. It helps change people’s behaviours and promotes healing,” said Dr Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the Executive Secretary for NURC. Dr Habyarimana said the local officials will coordinate Ndi Umunyarwanda sessions in their communities. During yesterday’s session, in Gisozi sector of Kigali; Gasabo District, the city mayor Fidèle Ndayisaba, preached humanity and patriotism to a group of local leaders. “We need to preach Ndi Umunyarwanda as the door to the healing of Rwandans,” he told local officials. He urged them to go back to their villages and disseminate the same message. Patricie Murekatete, the Executive Secretary of Gisozi sector, urged local leaders to encourage their people to share their experience during the country’s colonial and post-colonial history. “We need to spread the message of reconciliation,” she said, shortly after the session. Désiré Sebakungu, a local official from Kanyinya village in Gisozi sector, said Ndi Umunyarwanda sessions will help Rwandans learn a lot about their history. “It was great to learn about the country’s history through the session, especially the stories of how the 1st and 2nd Republics of Rwanda divided Rwandans. Knowing how we ended up with Genocide will give us courage to move forward,” he said. In November last year, the government resolved that the initiative would be rolled out across the country to help Rwandans have a forum to openly face the challenges that have resulted from Rwanda’s checkered history.