Youth and women have been challenged to act as agents of change in line with promoting national interests. Francis Kaboneka, the Minister for local government emphasised the need to embrace patriotic values while closing the patriotic month that was dedicated to patriotic activities done by youth and women in the City of Kigali at IPRC Kicukiro on Sunday.
Youth and women have been challenged to act as agents of change in line with promoting national interests.
Francis Kaboneka, the Minister for local government emphasised the need to embrace patriotic values while closing the patriotic month that was dedicated to patriotic activities done by youth and women in the City of Kigali at IPRC Kicukiro on Sunday.
The activities started on October 1 in three districts of Gasabo, Nyarugenge and Gasabo and Gicumbi, the birthplace of the 1990-94 liberation struggle.
"Lack of patriotism led to the Genocide against the Tutsi but the youth and women who had been victims of hatred embraced patriotism to stop genocide and restore the nation we have today. Patriotism defeated hatred and these are core values that you should promote as Rwanda is in your hands for its sustainable development and security,” Kaboneka said.
The minister commended the youth and women for their role in environmental conservation and fighting poverty in the city.
The patriotic month was conducted under the theme: "patriotism, the value that Rwandans stick to.’
James Kabarebe, the minister for Defense, told the youth that patriotism is at the heart of the country’s vision.
"Past bad leadership drove away the country’s human resource. Many Rwandans who would work to develop the country were scattered in different countries. But the country has been rebuilt through patriotism which should be emulated by youth,” said Kabarebe.
Jeanne Kayirangwa, the coordinator of women in Kigali city said different activities were carried out including cultivating vegetable gardens and supporting vulnerable people.
"We also supported extension of electricity to 33 homes for genocide survivors in Nyarugenge District and provided other support to Gicumbi residents,” she said.
The president of the youth forum in the City of Kigali, Innocent Bayinganga, said similar activities would continue aimed to provide at least a house and health insurance premiums for needy residents in each cell of Kigali city until the end of December this year.
Discussions on patriotism are also being carried out two days a week in all city cells, he added.
Fidele Ndayisaba, the Mayor of the City of Kigali used the occasion to urge youth and women to play a big role in making the city green by planting grass and trees.