Local leaders have been urged to own and spread the Ndi Umunyarwanda initiative at the grassroots. 

The call comes after high ranking officials, including former and current Members of Parliament are in a four-day campaign to preach the initiative.

As part of the initiative, MP Julienne Uwacu rooted for Ndi Umunyarwanda in Jomba sector, Nyabihu District on Wednesday.

The participants who included youth and local leaders were eager to know what  ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ means and  how it can be promoted.

During the first session that lasted four hours, participants cheerfully followed and took notes. They were also given a chance to ask questions.

MP Uwacu started with an overview of Rwandan history and how Rwandans were unified before being divided into ethnic groups, a policy  that culminated into the 1994 Genocide.

She said the Genocide against the Tutsi is a very important piece of Rwandan history that should not be forgotten.

Uwacu said Rwandans need to overcome such bad history and build a strong nation based on Rwandanness to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

"We have suffered a lot. Many of us lost relatives and friends. We should accept that it was all due to bad leadership and reconcile by embracing Ndi Umunyarwanda,” she said.

She noted that Rwandans are to blame for whatever happened and that it is their duty  to reconcile through seeking forgiveness and working towards building a unified community.

"Let us work towards building  a united Rwanda for ourselves and our children. We can use Ndi Umunyarwanda to achieve this,” Uwacu said

Participants said they grasped the programme and promised to spread it among their peers.

"Some people haven’t understood ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’. They confuse it with Gacaca.  We need to change such misconceptions,” said Pauline Ingabire, a member of  the Gasera cell committee in Jomba sector.

Another Participant, Jean Baptist Sebuhereri, a Baptist pastor, said he would use his capacity as a pastor to preach Ndi Umunyarwanda.

"I will tell my church members that we are all from God and need to behave as one. God has never encouraged divisions,” Sebuhereri said.

Meanwhile, in Rambura sector  at Groupe Scolaire Rambura Garcon, participants were joined by Boniface Rucagu, the National taskforce chairperson to discuss Rwanda’s history and the need for unity and reconciliation.