The Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders, and Decorations of Honour (CHENO) has said that progress is being made in identifying individuals who may be designated under the Ingenzi category. According to CHENO, the Ingenzi category, which remains unoccupied, is reserved for those whose extraordinary acts hold significant importance to the Rwandan society. ALSO READ: HEROES DAY: A king’s legacy that will forever live on Rwanda’s advanced plan to designate Ingenzi heroes coincides with the 31st Heroes Day, which the country marks today, February 1. This year’s celebration runs under the theme, “Ubutwari n’Ubumwe bw’Abanyarwanda, inkingi z’iterambere,” loosely translated as “Heroism and Unity, for Rwanda's Development,” Nicolas Rwaka, Division Manager at CHENO, told The New Times that while the findings are promising, the names of potential Ingenzi heroes will remain confidential until they are approved by the relevant authorities. “We conducted extensive research and have identified some individuals being considered for this category,” Rwaka explained. “However, we cannot disclose their identities or provide further details until the authorities review and approve the findings.” Once the process is complete, he added, the Ingenzi heroes will be officially recognised. ALSO READ: Rwanda's leading lights who exemplified heroism Rwaka also highlighted that CHENO’s research extends beyond the Ingenzi category, encompassing other individuals who may be eligible for national recognition through awards or medals. The reserved place for Ingenzi The National Heroes Mausoleum, a site that honors Rwanda’s national heroes, includes a reserved space dedicated to the future Ingenzi heroes. The area comprises a wall and a gallery where their achievements will be exhibited once the category is occupied. “We have set aside a space for Ingenzi within the Mausoleum,” Rwaka revealed. “The wall will symbolise their contributions, and their activities or legacies will be displayed inside the gallery.” “Should the need arise, we are prepared to expand the space to accommodate additional exhibits. For example, if a Rwandan had discovered a cure for COVID-19, saving lives across the nation, they would undoubtedly qualify for this category because their contribution would be of immense value to society,” he added. ALSO READ: Celebrating heroism: Rwandan youth urged to uphold cultural values Unity and courage, the foundation of heroism Rwaka reflected on the significance of this year’s theme, emphasising that unity and courage have been central to Rwanda’s journey since its founding. He noted that these values have consistently propelled the nation forward. “Heroism is driven by unity and the courage to achieve the extraordinary. Rwandans celebrate Heroes Day with pride because they recognise the sacrifices made by their compatriots to ensure peace and development,” he said, adding that some of these heroes gave their lives so that Rwanda could thrive in harmony. ALSO READ: Rwanda needs more heroes, especially youth – officials Rwaka also indicated that the process of identifying heroes is well-understood and trusted by the public. He cited the example of the students of Nyange Secondary School, whose extraordinary bravery during the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi remains a testament to unity and heroism. “The students of Nyange, in 1997, refused to divide themselves along ethnic lines despite being pressured to do so during a time of divisionism,” Rwaka recounted. These, he added, were young individuals who, despite the trauma of the genocide and the proximity to a church where a priest had participated in the killing of Tutsi, stood united. “Their refusal to yield to divisionism is an enduring legacy of courage and unity.” ALSO READ: A closer look at heroism before, during and after colonialism Rwanda honors its national heroes under three categories: Imanzi (Supreme Heroes), Imena (Notable Heroes), and Ingenzi (Emerging Heroes). While the Ingenzi category remains vacant, the other two categories include prominent figures such as the late Fred Gisa Rwigema, an Imanzi who led the liberation struggle and sacrificed his life for Rwanda’s freedom. Another example is Agathe Uwiringiyimana, a Hutu Prime Minister who opposed the genocide and lost her life for her stand against divisionism. She is celebrated as an Imena.
