Final preparations are being put for this year’s Umushyikirano edition which will be hosted next week on Wednesday, December 16, at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), The New Times has learned.

For the first time, the annual gathering will take place on a single day as opposed to the previous two days due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The New Times also understands that the number of participants will significantly drop compared to the previous editions.

Janvier Ndayizeye, the senior media relations specialist in the Prime Minister’s Office told The New Times that the meeting will bring together a total of 500 participants including members of the Diaspora.

"It has been confirmed to December 16. We are expecting 500 participants including members from the Diaspora.”

However, Ndayizeye added that the proceedings will be hosted in a hybrid format.

"There will also be a remote site where more Rwandans will be able to partake in the proceedings from various locations”.

One of the major areas of focus in the upcoming Umushyikirano is State of the Nation Address by President Kagame, CNLG advisory council, etc., said Ndayizeye.

Umushyikirano, which is mandated by the Constitution, is attended by central and local government officials, representatives of the Diaspora, the private sector, civil society, and diplomats, among others.

It is presided over by the head of state.

During the meeting, Rwandans directly engage leaders about the country’s challenges, opportunities, and growth as well as the country’s development agenda.

A number of things stood out during the 2019 Umushyikirano, which was also the 17 edition.

They include the use of Kinyarwanda during the proceedings as opposed to the previous years when most panelists and contributors mixed lots of English and French. Last year there was little to almost no foreign language.

In addition, people with disabilities were given priority, Made-in-Rwanda outfits were emulated by the majority of participants.

Also to highlight was the fact that Rwandan youth from different parts of the country were eager to share their success stories and their plans for the future.