The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) on Tuesday, December 1 awarded trophies to Kirehe and Bugesera, after the two Eastern Province districts ranked first and second, respectively, in the unity and reconciliation barometer of 2019/20.

The annual survey considered the presence of unity and reconciliation activities in district action plans and their implementation, they also evaluated how staff and leaders in local government bodies, from cell level to district level, adhere to reconciliation principles in their work and their relationship.

The barometer also considered how the citizens perceive district activities in promoting unity and reconciliation.

Kirehe District came first with 88 percent, Bugesera second with 86.75 percent, and Kicukiro third with 84 percent. Muhanga, on the other hand, came last with 64.5 percent.

The NURC Executive Secretary, Fidele Ndayisaba said generally there has been improvement in unity and reconciliation across all districts.

"Eleven districts are now above 80 percent, and 29 of 30 districts are above 70 percent. This is a significant improvement because in the last few years, the majority of districts had around 50 percent,” he said.

This year is also exceptional because they also considered the impact of the reconciliation activities on the community, he stated.

Kirehe District Mayor Gerald Muzungu (L) and Bugesera District Mayor Richard Mutabazi with unity and reconciliation trophies.

Kirehe District Mayor Gerald Muzungu said sometimes people focus on other targets like infrastructures, water, and other programmes, but insisted that they have to remember that what they have is centred on unity and reconciliation of Rwandans.

"We sent the mobilisers into the communities, who organise public talks; the residents then do not perceive reconciliation as something from government but from citizens among them,” he added.

Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of Bugesera District, reminded that Bugesera has two national level genocide memorial sites; Nyamata and Ntarama, which means that Genocide against the Tutsi exceptionally affected Bugesera District.

"What we are doing now is teaching by example, and walking this journey together with the residents,” he added.

Ignatienne Nyirarukundo, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government in charge of Social Affairs, said Rwanda has made significant strides in bringing back unity, something to which today’s achievements are attributed to.

Eastern Province ranked first with 79.87 percent, Western Province, 79.23 percent, City of Kigali, 78.5 percent, Northern Province 77.9 percent and Southern Province, 75.15 percent.