Ahead of Heroes’ Day, which is celebrated on February 1, the National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO) has urged people to visit various heroism sites across the country. The annual event, to be held under the theme “Our Heroism, our Dignity” is organized to pay tribute to the people who defended the values of patriotism and sacrifice for the wellbeing of the country and its citizens. In the exclusive interview with The New Times, Nicolas Rwaka, The Director of Research at CHENO urged both Rwandans and foreigners to visit heroism sites. “Apart from the National Heroes Mausoleum located Remera in Kigali City, we have other three more sites and we encourage all people to visit them,” he said Commenting on those sites he mentioned Nyange Heroism Site also dubbed ‘the Heritage of Rwandan Identity’ located in Ngororero District, The Heritage of Humanity heroism site, formerly called ‘Centre St Pierre’ in Rubavu District and Nyampeke hill/Nyabwishongwezi in Nyagatare. Rwaka revealed that the Nyampeke site is where Imanzi National Hero, late Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa RWIGEMA was killed but the site is not yet developed for the visitors. Speaking on CHENO’s achievements so far since the establishment in 2012 he said that many things and they are still achieving more. Some of the achievements include Research conducted to identify potential heroes and people with outstanding acts and the Development of the National Policy of awarding of National Orders. Regularly organize awareness and mobilization about heroism culture in schools, media, Creation of Heroism Culture Clubs in Schools and Rehabilitation and upgrading of National Heroes Mausoleums among other more achievements. Rwaka also said that within those past years of CHENO’s existence there haven’t faced big challenges. Commenting on the role of CHENO in facilitating the young generation to learn from the existing heroes he said that most of their activities are oriented to the mobilization of the youth, education, and awareness towards heroism values and culture. “Since 2013, CHENO has created Heroism Culture Clubs in different schools and those clubs are forums that have the mission to promote the culture of heroism and to learn from National Heroes,” he said Adding that about 4,000 Heroism Culture clubs created and have played a significant role in promoting the culture of heroism in schools. Rwaka responding to what can be done by some institutions to inculcate the heroism culture said that various institutions are encouraged to participate in heroism activities. “Institutions are encouraged to organize talk shows aiming at heroism culture promotion, visits different heroism sites and participate in encouraging the youth to adopt and follow Rwanda’s cultural values in all their undertakings,” he said Explaining the reason behind the same theme held this year, he said that they wanted to have a long-lasting theme that should facilitate mobilization, awareness, and sensitization about the culture of heroism. Adding that through this theme they also needed to encourage all the Rwandans, especially the youth to follow the path of National Heroes in order to build a united, developed, self-reliant Rwanda. It also encourages the Rwandans to preserve the dignity of our Country. During the heroes’ day week various activities planned include media talk shows in schools and sports activities where it is possible among activities and at the national level, the celebrations will take place at National Heroes’ Mausoleum in Remera in line with the Covid-19 prevention guidelines.
