Youth from various secondary schools in Musanze District have pledged to use the opportunities at their disposal to contribute to developing the country.

The youth, who were yesterday participating in a meeting organised ahead of today’s Liberation Day celebrations, marched from Musanze town to Ruhengeri Prison. The prison infamously held political opponents of the Habyarimana government.

At the prison premises, the youth were taken through the history of the liberation struggle and how Ruhengeri Prison fell under the control of Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA).

They were also briefed about how youth, most who were their age at the time, joined the struggle to liberate Rwanda and how many lost their lives in the process.

Jean Claude Mudahemuka, a 21-year-old student from Groupe Scholaire Cyabingo, said he was committed to building upon Rwanda’s achievements and its unique history to make it better.

"We study the history of Rwanda and I know that what we are enjoying now is because of the many young people who made sacrifices and were patriotic enough to liberate the country. I am committed to following in their footsteps,” he said

Mudahemuka said the current struggle is not fighting a guerrilla war but the ideological one.

"We must fight genocide ideology, genocide deniers and poverty. We must work hard to ensure Rwanda’s development and success are sustained,” he said

Sixteen-year-old Diane Uwase from Groupe Scholaire Kigombe was thankful to Rwanda’s liberators.

"My parents would have died due to poor leadership or I could have lost an opportunity to study, but I am still y in school. I will use the opportunity to work with other youth to develop our country,” she said.

She added that as a young girl, she is committed to helping her young females colleagues grow up with core values in order to ensure that they become women with strong Rwandan values.

Musanze District Mayor Winifirde Mpembyemungu hailed the liberators and urged the youth to acquire  leadership skills while still young.

"The country is this good because young people like you were patriotic, determined and disciplined enough to succeed. You are young and energetic; your strengths, plus the strong foundation that was laid by your brothers and sisters can build the nation,” he said

Maridadi Ndabakijije, who is one of the former inmates who were liberated by Rwanda Patriotic Army,  hailed the army for having set them free.

"We had been held for a long time and for nothing real. I had no hope to be released but we were luckily liberated by RPA who broke in, set us free and took us to their base,” he said.