In ancient Rwanda, solidarity camps, commonly known as Ingandos, were first developed by the military.

Whenever Rwanda faced disasters, such as wars and natural calamities, the Mwami (King) mobilized and prepared the population through Ingando.

By the dawn of colonialism, it was a well-entrenched practice.
As Rwanda sank deeper into postcolonial conflict, the institution of Ingando lost its relevance and was no longer practiced.

Moreover, the royal institutions, which had held Rwanda together for centuries were abolished.

It wasn’t until in 1996 when government of Rwanda, through the effort of strengthening unity and reconciliation, formed the solidarity camps once again.

Solidarity camps for Rwandan students are the most prevalent form of Ingando. Rwandan students who complete secondary school attend Ingando before they commence their university studies.

Students used to spend an average of two months in Ingando camps, but now due to the large number of students joining government universities, camps take only one month.

According to Unity & Reconciliation Commission (NURC) Executive secretary, Fatuma Ndagiza,  Rwandan university students are the future leaders of Rwandan society and the vast majority have attended government-run ingando camps which are to their growth and to that of the country at large.

There they learn a lot of things which are vital to the country.

A one day’s visit to Nkumba training camp – where students preparing to join the government universities  always go for solidarity camps  leaves one with a very different view of issues in contemporary Rwanda.

Students always get different lessons; topics are covered under central themes, analyses of Rwanda’s problems, the country’s history, political and social economic issues in Rwanda and Africa at large, human rights, and leadership skills.

These themes and topics are always conducted by specialists from within the country.

The NURC and its partners provide accommodation and meals and transportation are usually covered by the participants.

The day I visited the camp it was the Minister of Public Service, Skills Development and Labour, Prof Paul Manasseh Nshuti who talked to students in skills development training.

Delivering his speech, the minister urged students to utilize the skills they had acquired during the training, saying they have been given tools to make choices that will contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

He added they should always remember that discipline is important if they are to succeed in their endeavours.

Nshuti encouraged the youth to always be job creators rather than job seekers as he revealed to them that it’s always good for people to form their enterprise, and always seek loans, promising that the government will always help out.

He noted the youth population below 25 comprises 67 per cent of the national population and is thus expected to play a vital role in the country’s development.

At the solidarity camps, it is hard to ignore the fact that participants are uniformly dressed in military attire, and I wished to know why.

"These students get various teachings about the army science, however they are not trained to be soldiers, but it helps them in protecting civilians,” says Ndagiza.

"That’s why they wear the army uniform.

They also make difficult exercises and the army attire is always made out of hard cloth material, they can’t be making different exercises in their clothes”

These solidarity camps are helpful to the young generation especially when it takes them through the country’s history.

Ndayisaba Pacific, one of the trainees, says that he gained a lot in these solidarity camps,

"I have come to know the history of our country,” he says. "[This] being my first time to take part in such solidarity camp, I have been reminded to love my country and be disciplined.”

Another student, Mukabahire Beatrice, says, "Solidarity camps are vital to us.

We have learned a lot, especially how to socialize with others we have come to know how we should handle our selves in whatever situation.

I urge the government to hold solidarity camps for all youth.”

For Musoni Anna, another student attending, a lot has been acquired from the solidarity camps. She calls upon private institutions to organise such camps,

"I didn’t know the benefits of our country joining the East African community but now I have come to realise it was an important decision by our leaders for the country to be part of the community, she says.

"I feel proud we are going to work hard especially after the kind of training we have passed through.”
 
Knowing the country’s strength after joining the East African community, students at the solidarity camp were urged to be competitive, preparing to compete at a regional level if they are to be assured of a better future for themselves, their families and the country.

Ends