As Heroes Day continues to be celebrated throughout the month of February, on Sunday, 20th February, Members of Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community (RAFC) toured the historical Heroes Museum at Umulindi wIntwari and also played a friendly return football match with Umulindi F.C that is mostly comprised of both veteran and currently serving army officers who were part of the liberation struggle. The spirited game ended with RAFC winning the game 2-0. Previously when Umulindi FC visited RAFC in Kigali, the two teams had tied 2-2. The event was also attended by the Mayor Gicumbi district, the President of Umulindi FC, private and public officials including heads of security organs and residents of Gicumbi. The Mayor Gicumbi district, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa, appreciated the Fans and wished that other Clubs Fans should also emulate them. The Mayor of Gicumbi, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa speaks during the ceremony. I like how you participate in nation building as youth and not just supporting a foreign football club, he said. After the game, the fans spent time with the residents who had come in large numbers to support their team and were sensitized on ongoing government programs including the fight against the spread of covid-19, and educating children among others, before they all shared tasty maize. After the game, both sides shared maize. The fans then toured the historical Heroes Museum and were enlightened on the journey of the then RPA Army from its first command base. Kevin Aaron Mwami, the president Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community reiterated the importance of Arsenal visiting the Heroes Museum and other historical sites. We have all along been hearing about the first command base of the RPA and wished to see where HE Paul Kagame lived and how he strategically led the liberation war and stopped the genocide against the Tutsi. We are excited for this experience and also appreciate our elders, the Army leadership, some of whom we played with today for having set a precedence of resilience for us. As youth, we will endeavor to uphold those values and the example you have set, Mwami told the guests. RAFC President, Kevin Aaron Mwami (centre) shares a light moment with Emmanuel Nzabonimpa (Right) during the event. Umulindi FC lineup before the game. RAFCs starting lineup. Rwandan football legend, Olivier Karekezi (L) played for RAFC while Jimmy Mulisa played for Umulindi FC. For the last 10 years, the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community, an avid fan club of members from all around the country, has consistently conducted annual events and promoted of domestic tourism, partnering in Government initiatives and most especially supporting the vulnerable across the communities. During their visit to Gicumbi, RAFC managed to pay Health insurance (Mutuele de Sante) for over 1,000 families in the district. Over the years, the fan club that was founded in 2013 has contributed to the improvement of citizens and its members live by the adage Be A Gooner, Be A Giver, as they promote and participate in socio-economic development programs, sports, governance, domestic tourism (Visit Rwanda) and culture promotion in and outside Rwanda. Last year, RAFC coonected 66 families to the electricity grid. The families who are survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi live in Nyentanga Village, Kigeme Cell, Gasaka Sector in Nyamagabe District. In 2020, Rwanda Arsenal Fan Club donated food and grants to 86 families who are also survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Gasabo District in Jali Sector in an operation that cost 5 million Frw. In 2019, RAFC donated a commercial greenhouse and mushroom seedlings to elderly survivors in Kinyinya sector, in 2018 they renovated 2 houses for widowed elderly survivors in Bugesera district, in 2017 sponsored Health insurance for over 200 families and renovated one house for a survivor in Gasabo district, in 2016 RAFC provided livestock (goats) for 25 families in Kayonza District and in 2015 supported survivors in Nyanza District with 200 livestock. The fan club has also built 2 houses for genocide widows in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, and contributed to the nations Agaciro Development Fund.
