Every October 01, Rwandans celebrate Patriotism Day, an event that coincides with the launch of the armed struggle when young Rwandans took up arms and launched a struggle in 1990 to liberate the country from decades of anarchy.

This year’s Patriotism Day is marked in special consideration of how Rwandans’ selflessness, a change in attitude, and committed leadership helped the country survive the hard shocks of the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Director of Research at the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO), Nicholas Rwaka, every nation has patriots but the difference lies in the culture and the historical heritage attached to it. To date, Rwandans are able to know about and associate with their history and those that sacrificed their lives in helping the nation on the road to attaining freedom, peace, welfare, good governance, and development.

"As a result of this, over the last 28 years, we have seen a tremendous change in the attitude of Rwandans and this was majorly reflected when the world was hit by a pandemic. We saw resilience and patriotism in Rwandans,” says Rwaka.

He adds that October 01 serves to remind Rwandans of what they have done for their country, the sacrifices they’ve made, and their selflessness when it comes to loving the country.

"Selflessness is about the sacrifice we make for our fellow Rwandans and the country at large. While there was resistance on other countries regarding abiding by covid-19 directives, it was different in Rwanda. On a wider scale, Rwandans abided by the directives and this reflects how there is a change in attitude,” says Rwaka.

He adds that Rwandans give out potions of their salaries to help the needy as well as give foodstuff. "This selflessness is what projects true patriotism. It is only patriotism if you love your fellow nationals and sacrifice for them.”

As the world scrambled for vaccines, Rwanda was among the first few African countries to get them and according to Rwaka, it showed a leadership that is committed to the welfare of the people. He also took stock of the high uptake in the vaccines saying that it also showed a change in attitude.

"True Patriotism is a cycle, it comes from an individual, a community to the leadership. As we mark this day, we take into consideration this cycle,” says Rwaka.

He called all Rwandans to always keep the country at heart saying, "In whatever you do, factor in Rwanda and question if what you do is of importance to the country. If you are a student, ask yourself how what you are studying is going to impact the lives of your fellow Rwandans. The same applies to everyone.”

He adds that, in a community where people love their country, they do everything to keep it going.

"We have witnessed situations where Rwandans work for free. We saw youth volunteers during the pandemic working tirelessly and expecting no rewards. We have community health workers, we have funded our own elections, all these are signs of a country that has patriotic people,” says Rwanda.

He adds that "Patriotism is a legacy that we must uphold. Today the world is battling with different shocks and there is no scientific way to overcome them apart from having patriotic people.”

After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda needed to rebuild from scratches. This meant that the country needed not only new friends to rely on but also those that would recognize Rwanda.

For that to happen, Rwanda needed to work tirelessly and reposition itself on the world map. Much of what needed to be done was internal and included reshaping the people and making them believe in their country again.

Rwanda succeeded on this front and as a result, Rwanda was entrusted with leading global bodies like La Francophonie and Commonwealth.

"Your people must be trusting you before the world would trust you. Your achievement at home is the justification why the international community would want to associate with you. This is the story of Rwanda and it originates from patriotism,” says Rwaka

He says that the youth should know that what distinguishes Rwanda from other nations is ethics.

"We uphold relatively high ethical and moral standards that are extemporary to the youth. We also take stock of the people that did selfless acts of patriotism” says Rwaka.

Thirty-two years ago, on October 01, 1990, a group of young Rwandans driven by patriotism took up arms to liberate their country. They left all they had and embarked on a quest whose only reward was to have a place they call home, an identity, and freedom for their fellow Rwandans.

It was a quest that would cost them their lives; they knew that and yet they proceeded. They were led by the former commander of the Rwanda Patriotic Army Maj-Gen Fred Rwigema. Rwigema was shot right after they stepped foot on Rwandan soil.

His death didn’t deter the determined young men and women to pursue their cause.

They proceeded under the Commandership of Gen Paul Kagame, currently the President of Rwanda, and in four years, many of them fell, and others were injured but they continued, stopped the genocide, and liberated the country.

Those who were part of the heroic and patriotic act say that the reward they wanted is seeing every Rwanda liberated, free and Rwanda growing.

Among those that started with October 01 is Retired Private Aphrodis Rudasingwa, 55, and a father of six.

In June 1994, just as RPA was at the gates of Kigali on Jali hill, Rudasingwa stepped on a landmine that took both his legs. He has since been using a wheelchair.

"Before we took up arms, we dreamt of Rwanda, we were willing to sacrifice everything and indeed we did. We were driven by the spirit of having a belonging and a home that we can fight and die for. Today we have a home we passionately love and have seen growing,” Rudasingwa told The New Times.

He tells the youth to always keep in mind the sacrifices made for them to have a country.

"Be patriotic and united, that way, you will jealously protect this country. You are what you are when you have an identity and belonging. Your identity and belonging is Rwanda. Love Rwanda,” Rudasingwa told the youth.

Just like Rudasingwa, Jean Claude Ngaboyisonga joined the RPA in 1991. During the war, Ngaboyisonga tried to discharge a landmine to pave way for his fellow fighters. However, the landmine detonated and claimed both his arms.

"We are a living testimony of what patriotism is. Some of us lost body parts others died and it was all for the love of our country. This spirit is the legacy we want the youth to carry on,” says Ngaboyisonga.

October 01, in the history of Rwanda, is very important in that it maps out the very beginning of a well-determined and well-disciplined force driven by unwavering patriotism, and motivated by coherent ideas of political development, under the guidance of a visionary and clear-headed, patriotic leader, and how it was able to defeat the forces of a corrupt regime that stood for nothing but its own might.