More than 570 youth representatives from three districts that make up Kigali gathered at Kimisagara Youth Centre for a one-day event aimed at encouraging them to know their history as the country marks 25 years since the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The event was organized by the Ministry of Youth as part of the national wide campaign targeting more than 2600 youth representatives across the country. It involved various activities like paying a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and the Liberation War Museum at the National Parliament. At the site, the youth were briefed on how the Genocide was organized and executed. They were able to get a clear picture of how the country was liberated and how the Genocide was stopped. The youth then proceeded to Kimisagara were they met with Rosemary Mbabazi, Minister for Youth, Gen. James Kabarebe, Senior Security Advisor to the President, and Vital Rutagengwa, an official from the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG). In her opening speech, Mbabazi told the youth to always not forget where the country came from and reminded them that the future of Rwanda and the generations were in their hands. “You have to spearhead the fight of safeguarding the already registered achievements we’re celebrating. But also remember that you have the mandate of shaping the Rwanda we all want by fighting back to drug abuse and teenage pregnancies,” she said. A Question and Answer session followed where some participants were given a chance to air out their questions and thoughts to the three officials. Gen. Kabarebe shared his liberation experience with the youth where he encouraged them to always fight for the right cause and to have big dreams as the RPA (Rwanda Patriotic Army) had of ending the Genocide against the Tutsi and liberating the country. “You, young people, you have to always struggle for what genuinely belongs to you and you don’t let it go. You should also have big dreams like that of those who liberated this country we all share, and strive to achieve those dreams at whatever cost you have to incur,” he said. The youth were also reminded of their input in fighting the Genocide ideology which is still alive. Vital Rutagengwa, called on them to be at the forefront in fighting the Genocide ideology, especially the information they get from their communities and to be extra careful when it comes to social media. MbarushimanaRukundo Jean Baptiste, a youth from Nyarugenge district, said he was especially happy to have visited the Liberation War Museum and to hear from Gen. James Kabarebe. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
