Rwandans have been urged to compare their characters with those of the country’s national heroes to ensure that heroism culture is cultivated in future generations.

Julienne Uwacu, the Minister for Sports and Culture, made the remarks on Saturday, at Nyange Secondary School in Ngororero District during the 19th commemoration of seven students who were killed by Interahamwe militia on March 18, 1997, after they refused to separate themselves along ethnic lines.

"Commemorating these heroes is an opportunity for us to emulate their heroic spirit. This will enable us follow their example, which I hope will advance heroism culture among current and next generations,” said Uwacu.

The slain former students of Nyange Secondary School who are recognised as National Heroes were in Senior Five and Six during the attack.

Paul Jabo, the executive secretary of the Western Province, challenged 40 former students who survived the attack to uphold the values they cherished.

He said, "You set a good example that is worth emulating. You should uphold the character as the rest of our people look up to you. You should take the lead in advancing the heroism culture against all odds.”

Rwandan heroes are classified into three categories; Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi.

The Imanzi category consists of Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigyema and the ‘Unknown Soldier’, who represents all the soldiers that died during the Liberation struggle.

The ‘Imena’ category consists of King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre, Michael Rwagasana, Agatha Uwiringiyimana, Felicité Niyitegeka, and the students of Nyange Secondary School.

The third category, Ingenzi, consists of all heroes who are still alive, namely the 40 survivors of the Nyange attack.

Phanuel Sindayiheba, the president of Komezubutwari association made up of survivors of the 1997 attack, noted that atrocities that happened in Nyange are instructive for every Rwandan to distinguish between heroism and villainy.

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