A week-long campaign about the values of heroism will be held across the country ahead of this year’s Heroes’ Day, due February 1, an official has said.

In an interview with The New Times yesterday, Deo Nkusi, the Executive Secretary of the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (Cheno), said that the main orientation for marking the day will be about the kind of heroism that Rwandans want for their future and how the youth can help in building a country that fully serves all its citizens.

He said that the youth will be asked to embrace Rwanda’s four main values of unity, working hard, patriotism, and integrity.

"The youth must understand that they have to develop their country by working hard and, together with others, and being nice with each other,” he said.

The official said that a week before marking the Heroes Day there will be different games in preparation for the day and different talkshows will be conducted on radio and television in line with the ‘heroism week’.

The campaign is slated from January 24 to 31 and seeks to raise awareness about the Heroes Day and to inculcate theright values that every Rwandan should embrace in order to contribute in building their country.

"Rwandans will be encouraged to embrace the Rwandan values so they can guide them in their everyday lives and work. They need to have the country at heart, work hard, and live in peace with themselves and with each other,” Nkusi said.

Rwanda’s heroes are classified into three categories: Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.

The Imanzi category, the highest order, features people who made utmost achievements at the expense of everything else, including their own lives.

They include Maj Gen Fred Rwigema, who died on the frontline the day after the launch of the Liberation War, and the ‘Unknown Soldier’, who represents all soldiers who lost their lives fighting for Rwanda’s liberation.

The Imena category comprises of people whose track record boasts extraordinary acts for the country and were characterised by utmost sacrifice.

This category includes ey include King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre; Michel Rwagasana (special adviser to late King Rudahigwa); Agathe Uwilingiyimana (former prime minister); Félicité Niyitegeka, a Catholic nun who was working at a parish in Rubavu; and Nyange Secondary School students.

The last category, Ingenzi, is comprised of heroes who are still alive, but the list of these is yet to be published.

Cheno’s mandate includes conducting research to help bring more people on the list of the country’s Heroes.

Nkusi said that the body has conducted research about people who deserve awards recognition as heroes but he couldn’t say how many because the cabinet will have to approve them first.

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