A combination of honesty, integrity and truthfulness among leaders can play a key role in shaping future generations of Rwandans who are united beyond ethnicity and divisions that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, made the remarks yesterday while addressing the 9th annual forum of the Unity Club, an association that brings together current and former cabinet ministers and their spouses.

--READ ALSO: There is no alternative to unity, Kagame says--

The annual forum coincided with 20 years anniversary of Unity Club held in Kigali, in an event that attracted various government officials and heads of public institutions to reflect on the past two decades of the association while forging the way forward.

The First Lady and Chairperson of Unity Club urged members that, as they mark the past two decades of the club, "it should be an opportunity to set new goals for the next 20+ years ahead.

"You (members) have been very instrumental in all that has been achieved so far and I call upon you to be part of the struggle to achieve even better things; through building a scenic legacy that binds us together—the beautiful identity given us by God,” she said.

The First Lady added, that "integrity should remain the main pillar” in setting unprecedented goals for the next vision of the club.

"Integrity has been one of the main principles that we have used to build our unity as Rwandans. Integrity inspires us to acknowledge that we still have a long way to go in building a rock-hard unity among us. Taking heed of this principle will allow us to uproot all the historical challenges our nation has faced,” she said.

Formed in 1996, two years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, Unity Club has been instrumental in promoting social cohesion and contributing to the country’s sustainable socio-economic development, according to members.

The club’s vision, according to the first vice chairperson of Unity Club, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, has been to create a forum where members, and other Rwandans, are inspired to develop proactive dialogue, productive work and network in order to foster mutual responsibility in addressing social problems hindering Rwanda’s development.

"We have a lot of accomplishments to celebrate today. Among them include, playing a key role in complementing the government’s development agendas—as we forged avenues through which we could contribute to the welfare of the citizens,” the First Lady said.

Fidel Ndayisaba, the executive secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, underlined a number of socio - economic development projects worked on since 1996, with estimation that the association has achieved about 90 per cent of its set targets.

Ndayisaba noted that for the last 20 years, Unity Club has been involved with promoting gender parity, advocating for the socio-economic wellbeing of disadvantaged groups in general, with a particular emphasis on orphans and widows.

The club has built about 20 houses for orphans who grew up in Noel and Nyundo orphanage centres, and advocated for the construction of about 100 houses for Genocide survivors and widows in various parts of the country, among other activities.

Ndayisaba added that the association has contributed towards Ndi Umunyarwanda campaign, a movement aimed at addressing challenges facing Rwandans’ unity.

The First Lady called for sustained support to orphans and widows.

"It is our responsibility to create a peaceful and united nation; that’s free from any kind of conflict and discrimination, a country our children will be proud to call home. This requires integrity and working together as a unit,” she said.The challenges back then

Prof. Jolly Mazimhaka, wife to former cabinet member Patrick Mazimhaka and one of the founding members of Unity Club—reflecting on the first days of the club—said that, it was "tough” then.

In the first days of Unity Club, she said, it was really tough; there was language barrier, silence among members, and the body language spoke volumes.

She added that, "there was a lot of mistrust between us really. We would meet in a small office of about 10 people - which was supposed to accommodate 20 people. But again, our actions spoke volumes. Our leader knew where we wanted to go. It is true to say that the club is not where it wants to be now, but we have made big strides so far in uniting leaders, and Rwandans in general.”

Exemplary Rwandans recognised

The Unity Club also recognised 17 Rwandans for their exemplary work in promoting unity and reconciliation among Rwandans under the "Abarinzi b’Igihango’ initiative.

These citizens are considered to have played key roles is saving the lives of Tutsi in the 1994 Genocide. Of the recipients of the Unity Club 2016 award, five are still alive, while 12 lost their lives while trying to save others during the Genocide.

The outstanding individuals include; Eliesel Barangwanzare, Dr Jean-Baptiste Habyarimana, Jean-Marie Vianney Gisagara, Thadée Karamaga, Rose Mukankaka, Godelive Mukasarasi, Leopold Munyakayanza, Sostene Munyurabatware, Callixte Ndagijimana, Jean-Baptiste Ntawuruhunga, Isacar Ntawuryerera, Fr. Mario Marie Falcon, Fr. Jean-Bosco Munyaneza, Fr. Joseph Niyomugabo, Sosthene Renzaho, Leonard Rutagayintabaza, and Sister Marcienne Kamuzima.

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