Nations register development through unity of their citizens and commitment to achieving national goals, the Mayor of the City of Kigali, Monique Mukaruliza, has said.

Mukaruliza was speaking during the launch of the Patriotism Month for the City of Kigali at Pétit Séminaire Saint Vincent de Ndera in Gasabo District on Saturday.

"The principal resource that Rwanda has is its people. It is necessary that they stay united, and put their efforts together to achieve the desired development rapidly,” she said.

Students from various schools in Gasabo and residents attended the event.

The Patriotism Month, which started on October 1 and runs through November 4, was initiated by the National Women Council (CNF) and National Youth Council.

The month-long campaign, according to Mayor Mukaruliza, intends to remind Rwandans that it is the patriotic activities that have made Rwanda reach the current level of socio-economic development.

The coordinator of CNF in the City of Kigali, Aurore Umuhoza, said women should continue taking care of education of children and act as catalysts of development.

She said there are many activities that will be carried out in the three districts making up the City of Kigali, including supporting the vulnerable and demobilised soldiers who fought for the liberation of the country.

Other activities include patriotism talks among the youth at universities and secondary schools.

Gen Mubarak Muganga, the RDF commander in the City of Kigali and Eastern Province,urged the youth to shun elements that lure them into criminality, embrace Rwandanness and work diligently to develop the country.

"Patriotism means loving your country with your mind, heart and flesh, not for selfish personal interests but for interests of all Rwandans. It is love of your country more than you love yourself,” he said, citing FPR Inkotanyi soldiers who liberated Rwanda in 1994.

Shunning radicalisation

In the recent days, Gen Muganga said, the country has been facing difficult issues of people who shun Rwandanness by turning to radicalism because of faith. 

"Praying is not bad, we all pray, but there are people who think that they can place prayer before Rwandanness, which I think is a distortion of faith,” he said.

"Those wars are not our wars, they are not Rwandan wars. You should not fall into temptations of people whispering into your ears,” he told the youth.

"We are all Rwandans, the descendants of Gihanga. All the beliefs that we engage in should keep us in that spirit.”

Ananie Hafashimana, a student in Senior Five at Pétit Séminaire Saint Vincent de Ndera, said the desire for money should not make a person betray their country or its people. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw