A new documentary titled Umuganda premiered in Kigali on March 4, bringing together filmmakers, diplomats and cultural figures for a national civic dialogue on the meaning and future of Rwanda’s long-standing community work tradition. Screened at the University of Rwanda, the film examines how Umuganda has shaped the country’s social fabric, particularly during the recovery and rebuilding period following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. ALSO READ: New film traces Umuganda’s role in Rwanda’s rebuilding process Umuganda is a monthly community service activity held on the last Saturday of every month, during which citizens gather to carry out public works such as cleaning neighbourhoods, planting trees, repairing roads and building houses for vulnerable families. Beyond the physical labour, the documentary portrays Umuganda as a deeper cultural philosophy rooted in collective responsibility and national unity. The film was written and directed by Rwandan filmmaker Zion Sulaiman Mukasa Matovu. Speaking during the screening, Matovu said the idea for the film emerged from curiosity about the deeper meaning of the practice. “I initially knew Umuganda only as a Saturday activity,” he said. “Through the guidance of the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum, we came to understand Umuganda as a philosophy of nationhood.” According to the director, the documentary also aims to broaden global narratives about Rwanda, which often focus mainly on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, by highlighting civic traditions that continue to strengthen unity and national identity. Youth reflect on civic traditions The screening included a panel discussion featuring students and cultural stakeholders who reflected on the relevance of civic traditions in modern Rwanda. Among the speakers was Ephrem Umugwaneza, who described Umuganda as a voluntary effort by citizens to build their country collectively. “For me, Umuganda is an activity where citizens work without payment or coercion. They work for their country so that together they can build the Rwanda they want,” he said. He also encouraged young people to actively participate in national development initiatives. “My advice to fellow youth is that we should take part in government initiatives, especially Umuganda, because we are the strength of the nation and we must work together to build it.” Daliah Abahire, a 21-year-old student at the University of Rwanda, said the practice plays a vital role in improving communities and protecting the environment. She noted that growing up, she witnessed communities using Umuganda to support vulnerable families and improve local infrastructure. “In rural areas, some people live in difficult conditions. Sometimes they don’t have proper houses or their homes leak when it rains. But during Umuganda, citizens come together to build houses for them,” she said. “They also repair roads and damaged bridges, which helps people move more easily and facilitates trade between sectors and districts.” Civic dialogue through film The event attracted several dignitaries and members of the creative industry, including Brazil’s envoy to Rwanda Irene Vida Gala and renowned Rwandan film producer Kennedy Mazimpaka. Organisers said the screening was designed not only as a film presentation but also as a civic forum aimed at encouraging young people to reflect on the role of culture and community participation in Rwanda’s development. Participants emphasised that Umuganda represents more than a monthly activity; it is a system of shared responsibility that continues to strengthen social cohesion and collective progress across the country. Through the documentary, filmmakers hope to present Rwanda’s civic traditions to a global audience while inspiring younger generations to understand and sustain the values that underpin the practice.
