The 19th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council entered its second day this morning, Wednesday, January 24, with a focus on the country’s progress in national unity and shaping the future. Day I was dominated by conversations around Rwanda’s development gains over the last seven years and President Paul Kagame’s inspiring speech in which he addressed security, and nation-building and service delivery issues. ALSO READ: ‘Fourteen patients have received kidney transplants in Rwanda’ The two-day gathering, which is taking place at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kimihurura, Kigali, is being broadcasted live on the public broadcaster, RBA, while proceedings are also being relayed on large screens at four sites around the country (Burera, Gatsibo, Nyanza and Rutsiro) and a Diaspora site in Polland. ALSO READ: NST1: Rwanda’s fertiliser use doubles, irrigation scaled up Today’s proceedings kicked off with a recap of takeaways from Day I, before a presentation by the Minister of National Unity and Civil Engagement, Jean-Damascène Bizimana, on Rwanda’s ‘journey of unity and resilience’. ALSO READ: Govt to support farmers in flooded arable wetlands Thereafter, delegates will delve into the theme, ‘Youth Leadership in Shaping Rwanda’s Future’, a topic to be tackled on a panel involving the Minister of Youth and Culture, Dr Abdallah Utumatwishima; Doris Picard Uwicyeza, Chief Technical Advisor, Ministry of Justice; and Emmanuel Harerimana, Founder of Umuhisimbi, a youth initiative. Other panelists include Chaste Niwe, Managing Director, Bridge to Rwanda; and Albert Munyabugingo, Co-Founder, the Vuba-Vuba delivery firm. The panel will be moderated by youthful Samantha Teta, from the Office of the Government Spokesperson. Participants, both at KCC and the other five Umushyikirano sites, as well as those following the event on different digital platforms, will have a conversation on the themes before the annual event is officially closed later in the day.
