To many Rwandans, the task to rebuild our nation began just over 21 years ago when our compatriots of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) bravely put an end to the atrocities of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which had claimed up to a million innocent lives.

Following the aftermath of this dark moment in our history, it was clear to all that any attempt to rebuild Rwanda would be a tough challenge.

In fact, it was when you note that from the start, the post-Genocide government understood that, in addition to maintaining peace and security, those in charge of grand strategy needed to simultaneously place emphasis on rebuilding the health and education sectors, public infrastructure, as well as electing institutions to supplement government efforts to govern and properly deliver public services.

The challenges were enormous, and yet, as the last 21 years have proven, when Rwandans were called upon, they responded.

So, last Saturday, on July 4, as the nation celebrated our 21st Liberation Anniversary, I found myself pondering on two things; first, I took a moment to appreciate what my countrymen and women have achieved in a relatively short period of time.

Second, like most who take the future of Rwanda seriously, I found myself reflecting on some areas that I feel we ought to improve on so that we can achieve our long-term goals. In that respect, we need to continue encouraging those who spend sleepless nights to keep us safe, keep our economy afloat, and our institutions functioning properly.

It is true that all parties are remunerated accordingly, but truth is, some of them give more than what we could ever afford to pay for.

Reasons to applaud…

Peace and Security: Even to a diehard critic of the government, there is no denying that Rwanda is today more peaceful and secure than at any other time in its history. As both the cornerstone and anchor of development efforts, the Rwanda Defence Forces, the Rwanda National Police, and several other security organs have continued to streamline their operations to keep Rwanda safe, accessible, and as an example of stability in the region.

- Economy: For most of the past 21 years, Rwanda’s economy has grown at a steady pace, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 8 per cent since 2003. In fact, even GDP per capita, research shows that when adjusted for purchasing power, has grown from $575 in 1995 to an impressive $1,170 in 2012. Today, this trend has improved. In terms of poverty reduction, despite several challenges, an estimated one million Rwandans were lifted out of poverty a few years ago. By 2020, more Rwandans are expected to achieve better living standards.

- Health and Education: Achievements in health and education have been impressive. For instance, deaths of under-fives have fallen dramatically from 230 per 1,000 live births in 1998 to 55 in 2012.

In addition, infant mortality decreased from 120 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1998 to less than 40 in 2012. In education, with a large proportion of the population considered youth, the government has made education a top priority.

This has allowed the government to spend up to 17 per cent of the budget on education so that primary and secondary schooling are widely available to all. Today, more Rwandans (both male and female) have graduated from universities than at any point in our history.

- Women in nation building: In Rwanda, it is a well known fact that women matter. They matter so much so that in Parliament, women hold 64 per cent of seats, which is more than any other country in the world.

The female majority has ensured that laws aimed at raising the status of women are at the forefront of political discourse, whilst at the same time, spearheading reforms aimed at making all government functions transparent and accountable. Such an achievement would have been unheard of 21 years ago.

A reminder that more can be done…

A couple of months ago during the annual Leadership Retreat, President Kagame reminded senior civil servants that instead of soaking in applause after another, they ought to listen more to those who critique them because it is the only way they will retain the urge to even perform better.

Personally, I bought into that idea because, I strongly believe that as much as we can reflect on the achievements we have registered as Rwandans, all of which have been attained in adverse conditions, we ought to regularly remind ourselves that the liberation of Rwanda will not be mission accomplished if;-Ten, twenty, thirty years from now our nation still depends on Overseas Development Aid; Rwandans still have limited access to water and energy; our nation’s trade deficit is still a problem; and that some senior and junior civil servants still embezzle the limited resources we have at our disposal.

To avoid all the above conundrums, leaders top to bottom, various state and non-state actors, as well as the ordinary citizen, ought to think about how to improve and not just what has been achieved. The liberation struggle is still a journey. junior.mutabazi@yahoo.co.uk