ON JULY 3, celebrities and diaspora visited different places where the liberation struggle started on October 1990. The first phase of the tour started from Kagitumba on the border of Rwanda and Uganda, where the liberation journey begun.

In an interview with The New Times, different celebrities and diaspora shared their experience at the liberation history tourism trial, what they learnt from the history and what inspired them throughout the whole journey, as Rwanda marked its 27th liberation anniversary.

The tour was organised by Simba Safaris Rwanda Ltd and Alex Muyoboke, Joel Rutaganda, Divine Inshuti. Some of the celebrities that attended included Alex Muyoboke, David Bayingana, Saphine Kirenga, Ibrahim Cyusa, Diogene Ntarindwa(Atome) and many others.

Dj Rugamba, Dj Diallo and Cyusa Ibrahim entertained everyone with liberation songs through headsets that were given to everyone.

Alex Muyoboke told The New Times that the tour was a success even though it was delayed due to covid measures and approval from the police. 

"We left around 10 am yet we had planned for 6am. Our journey started from Kagitumba and everyone was excited to learn more about the liberation journey of our country.

"It was not my first time visiting the liberation trail but it always feels empowering because as Rwandans, we should not only learn our history from books. It is more inspiring when we visit all the places that RPF Inkotanyi went to and get to see clearly the challenges and struggles they faced during liberation struggle,” Muyoboke added.

He also noted that organisers are preparing for phase 2, on October 1.

"The tour was inspiring because we were told about the history of the liberation and how Inkotanyi reached the country. I was touched by the words of late Fred Gisa Rwigema, how he told other soldiers that to remove the pips from their uniforms because they were going to fight for their own from home.

"It showed me how patriotic they were and how they risked their lives to save and liberate our country. I believe we can learn from them and do all we can build our country and never let their efforts go to waste,” Cyusa Ibrahim told The New Times.

Leila Gaju Kabanza, a diaspora mother residing in Atlanta, Georgia, also shared that it was an exciting experience because she had brought her children to learn more about the liberation history.

"I wanted my children to know what our fathers had to go through for us to be liberated and be where we are today. It was very emotional sitting on the hill where late Fred Gisa Rwigema was killed but I felt his presence.

"We had a great time and my children were asking questions out of curiosity, which was satisfying as a parent who wants my children to learn more about their country, "Kabanza added.

The tour also attracted other diaspora Rwandans from Belgium, Texas and North Carolina. She wishes this liberation history tour to happen more often especially for the diaspora.

"I am grateful to Alex Muyoboke and the other organisers for thinking of such an amazing and educative tour, "she added.