The gains made since Rwanda’s Liberation should continue to be reflected in the daily lives of citizens through improved access to education, healthcare and other essential services, Senate President François-Xavier Kalinda said on Friday, July 4. Kalinda made the remarks in Rugarika Sector, Kamonyi District, during celebrations marking the 32nd liberation anniversary. As part of the day's activities, leaders also inaugurated new classrooms at Groupe Scolaire Masaka as the 2026 Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme (COP) came to a close. ALSO READ: 'The youth must jealously protect the gains of liberation' – Col (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara The event was attended by Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda, senior officials from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Rwanda National Police (RNP), local leaders and hundreds of residents. Addressing the gathering, Kalinda said Liberation is not only an occasion to remember the struggle that ended the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but also an opportunity to assess the progress Rwanda has made in improving citizens’ welfare. “As we commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Liberation, we reflect on the journey our country has taken—from the liberation struggle and stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi to rebuilding national unity and joining efforts to build the Rwanda we aspire to,” he said. ALSO READ: The journey for liberation continues – PM Nsengiyumva He paid tribute to the former Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), noting that its legacy continues through institutions that not only safeguard national security but also contribute to improving people’s lives. “Programmes such as the Defence and Security Citizen Outreach initiative demonstrate that security institutions have become active partners in national development by working alongside citizens and local authorities to address community needs.” Kalinda stressed that security should not be understood solely as the absence of war. “True security means ensuring that nothing, regardless of its source, undermines the peace, dignity and wellbeing of Rwandans. Feeling secure means living with confidence, opportunities and the dignity every citizen deserves,” he said. “It is the responsibility of citizens, leaders and security institutions alike to preserve and build on what our country has achieved.” ALSO READ: For one genocide survivor, liberation began with a walk The newly inaugurated classrooms at Groupe Scolaire Masaka are among projects implemented under this year’s outreach programme, which was launched on March 9. The school project was designed to ease overcrowding at Groupe Scolaire Masaka, GS Ruramba and Masaka Primary School. Construction was implemented in phases, with the first phase delivering 10 classrooms, an administration block, a girls’ dormitory, a science laboratory and sanitation facilities, while creating employment for more than 300 local residents. A second phase is expected to add eight more classrooms, as well as basketball and volleyball courts, at an estimated cost of Rwf480 million. Kamonyi District Mayor Sylvere Nahayo said the investment responds to growing enrolment, which had resulted in severe overcrowding at Groupe Scolaire Masaka, GS Ruramba and Masaka Primary School. ALSO READ: What youth say about the legacy of liberation Nahayo said that before the expansion works, some classrooms were accommodating more than 67 learners, while nursery classes enrolled over 112 children, a situation that affected learning quality and teacher attention. “We are steadily investing in expanding school infrastructure so that no child studies in overcrowded conditions. These classrooms are not just buildings, they are an investment in the future of Kamonyi’s human capital,” he said. Students said the new facilities will significantly improve learning conditions. Nancy Irihose, a student at Groupe Scolaire Masaka, said the additional classrooms will reduce overcrowding and allow learners to study in a more conducive environment. She added that the new science laboratory will enable students to carry out practical experiments instead of relying solely on textbook learning. ALSO READ: Liberation beyond borders: Responsibility, protection, and the burden of history Residents say the project represents another milestone in the transformation the area has undergone since liberation. Emmanuel Karahamuheto, a long-time resident of Kigese Cell, recalled that before 1994 the surrounding communities had only a few schools, with very few students progressing to secondary or university education. “There were very few students completing secondary school, and university graduates could be counted on one hand,” he said. “Today we have modern classrooms, roads, electricity and water. These investments have attracted more families to settle here, increasing school enrolment and creating the need for additional classrooms.”
