The year 2021 started with hope and optimism as more Rwandans received Covid-19 vaccines. During the year, the economy gained momentum and lives began to return to some sort of normalcy. Projections put the economic growth rate at about 10 per cent, up from a 3.4 per cent contraction the previous year.

By December 24, over 40 per cent of Rwanda’s population was fully vaccinated, making it one of the most vaccinated nations in Africa.

From the gloomy days of lockdowns to the happy days of music concerts and all the in-betweens; The New Times photographers captured the moments.

Here are the pictures that best defined 2021.

French President Emmanuel Macron, seen here being welcomed at Village Urugwiro by his host Paul Kagame, arrived in Rwanda on May 27 for a historic state visit. During the two-day visit, Macron, 44, paid his respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, held a private meeting with President Kagame before the two heads of state addressed a joint press conference and, later in the evening, watched the Basketball Africa League (BAL) quarter-final game between Rwanda’s Patriots and Mozambique’s Ferroviario de Maputo at Kigali Arena.

Macron was only the second French President in history to visit the country, after Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010.

President Paul Kagame bids farewell to his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was in the country for a two-day visit on August 2-3. She visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and, along with President Kagame, toured different factories at the Kigali Special Economic Zone.

 Following his arrest in August 2020, terror convict Paul Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in prison on September 20, 2021, after several months of a highly publicized trial that also involved 20 other suspects. He was found guilty of creating and committing acts of terrorism.

Since launching its Covid-19 vaccination programme in March, Rwanda has administered close to 13 million doses and over 40 per cent of the country’s population is fully vaccinated. In the earlier days, the government deployed helicopters to airlift vaccines to remote areas.

The Kigali Car Free Zone, an area designed for pedestrians in the city centre, was redeveloped into a green and recreational zone with various features such as street benches, faster WiFi internet, a food court, cycling lanes and exhibition zone. The project, which also included rebranding the area to ‘Imbuga City Walk’, was launched on March 15.

After a hiatus that lasted several months owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the bimonthly Car Free Day mass exercises resumed on September 26, with health authorities urging participants to observe safety measures.

On October 27, Prime Minister presided over the graduation ceremony of 656 police officer cadets, including 86 female officers, at the Police Training School (PTS) Gishari, in Rwamagana District. This particular cohort experienced a longer than usual training duration due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Paul Kagame, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force, commissioned 721 officer cadets – including 74 women – to the rank of second lieutenant on April 26. The group of officers comprised some who had done a one-year military training course, and some who had done four years in social and military sciences.

Rwanda’s impressive coverage of vaccination against Covid-19 enabled the return of social events, including music concerts. Renowned Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold, born Adekunle Kosoko, performed in Kigali on November 5.

Bruce Melodie, one of the biggest music acts in Rwanda, staged a mega concert at Kigali Arena, on November 6, as he celebrated 10-years since embarking on his music career. It is understood that he made about Rwf70 million from the sold-out show.

Imbuto Foundation clocked 20 years of changing lives and empowering the girl child. Jeannette Kagame (2nd-R), the Rwandan First Lady and Founder of the organisation, and Namibia’s First Lady Monica Geingos (C), attended the anniversary at Kigali Convention Centre on November 27.

Thirty white rhinos, 19 females and 11 males, were released into the wilderness of Akagera National Park on November 19 after being moved to Rwanda in what was the world’s largest single rhino translocation ever undertaken. The development was hailed by various stakeholders as a great boost to Rwanda’s conservation and tourism efforts.

 American rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole, known by his stage name J. Cole, surprised the world when he played for Rwandan side Patriots during the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) in May. In different interviews and via his social media platforms after the competition, the rap icon cherished his experience in Kigali and encouraged people to visit Rwanda.

Lieutenant General Jacques Musemakweli, Inspector General of the Rwanda Defence Force at the time, died on February 11 aged 59. During his time in military service, Musemakweli had served in different key roles; such as Army Chief of Staff, Reserve Force Chief of Staff and head of the Republican Guard.

At the request of the Government of Mozambique, Rwanda in July deployed a joint force – comprising army and police officers – to Cabo Delgado, a region that had been ravaged by IS-linked terrorists for the previous five years. In close cooperation with Mozambican forces, the Rwandan troops have since liberated several key towns from the insurgents.

 Renowned Catholic priest Ubald Rugirangoga, who died from Covid-19 complications in the United States on January 8, was laid to rest on March 2 in Rusizi, southwest of Rwanda. Father Ubald, as he was commonly known, had a unique divine healing gift, was an author and had championed several initiatives to promote unity and reconciliation after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.