The struggle for dignity of all Rwandans continues and true liberation means having the courage to stand up for what is right, President Paul Kagame said at the 21st Liberation Day yesterday.

While addressing thousands of residents in Gicumbi District yesterday, he reminded Rwandans that the armed struggle ended 21 years ago but the quest for socio economic transformation continues.

President Kagame pays tribute to all liberation partners. YouTube/TheNewTimes

In the process towards prosperity, the Head of State said that Rwandans need to understand that no one else has the right to decide their future and that of their nation.

"Liberation and independence are about having the courage to speak up and tell everyone that we have the right and the will to define our future and we do not need to be taught what freedom means,” Kagame said.

"We do not need to be taught lessons about the meaning of liberation or dignity, we know it because we fought and died for it. No one can like us more than we like ourselves. We can partner with people but it should not be at the cost of our dignity,” Kagame added.

"No matter where you are from, we are all human beings, we are all equal and we should treat each other with respect and dignity,” the President emphasized.

This year’s official celebrations were held in Rubaya, an area in Northern Province’s Gicumbi District which served as an important base for the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) during the liberation struggle.

President Kagame thanked residents of Rubaya and other parts of Gicumbi district for supporting the RPA soldiers during their quest to liberate their country.

"The people of Gicumbi welcomed us during the liberation struggle, gave us a home, fed us and protected us.

We can never thank you enough for your sacrifices and those of people across the border in Uganda,” Kagame said.

President Kagame also paid special tribute to Ugandans across the border who provided shelter to the Rwandan Patriotic Front during the liberation struggle mentioning Modesta Nyabuhara an elderly woman who offered her home to the Rwandan Patriotic Front. President Kagame later met Nyabuhura to thank her in person.

"We may not get enough material resources to give back to everyone who helped us in the struggle but we deeply appreciate their help; we are deeply grateful,” Kagame added mentioning.

The Head of State emphasized yesterday that the support from Gicumbi’s community was proof of the value liberation had for every Rwandan.

Describing the next phase of Rwanda’s liberation struggle, the President stated that today’s Rwandans are striving to transform their nation into one where every child is educated, every citizen can feed themselves and achieve prosperity.

President Kagame paid tribute to all the Rwandans who died during the liberation struggle and thanked those who fought tirelessly to liberate the country, as well as foreigners who helped Rwandans during their liberation struggle.

While in Rubaya yesterday, the President toured projects completed by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in the area as part of giving back to the community, including the newly built Gishambashayo Primary School, a health post at the school, and a modern market.

The projects were completed as part of the ‘Army Week’, a series of development activities carried out by the army every year in the lead up to Liberation Day.

Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwandans making up the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) and its military wing, the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) fought and won the liberation war, which ended when they stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi on July 4, 1994.