As Rwanda prepares to celebrate Heroes’ Day on Feb 1, the National Orders and Decorations of Honour (Cheno) has unveiled activities arranged for the celebrations.

The annual event, to be held under the theme "Our Heroism, our Dignity” is organised to pay tribute to the people who defended the values of patriotism and sacrifice for the wellbeing of the country and its citizens.

At a recent press briefing, the Executive Secretary of Cheno Deo Nkusi shared the main activities planned to celebrate Heroes’ Day.

Heroism, he explained, is achieved through different ways including the demonstration of patriotism, defending and protecting the country, economic development, welfare and good relations, good leadership, science and technology, security and peace among others.

Speaking about the preparations of the heroes’ day celebrations, he said that the Heroes’ Week started January 21 and runs through January 31.

Planned activities during the week include media talk shows in schools and sports activities where possible.

A televised cultural party to celebrate the heroes is planned for January 31.

At national level, the celebrations will take place at National Heroes’ Mausoleum in Remera in line with the Covid-19 prevention guidelines.

"The Heroes’ Day celebration is a good opportunity for Rwandans to think of how to further develop the country and peacefully reconstruct it,” Nkusi said, advocating for unity among Rwandans.

Since Rwanda’s liberation some 28 years ago, unity and reconciliation efforts have helped consolidate the gains made in the country’s development.

"Rwandans especially the youth should continue to harness our culture and language, maintain unity and patriotism,” he said, calling for innovation and handwork.

He also urged Rwandans to continue the fight against genocide ideology, injustice, corruption, violence and all other types of crimes.

Categories of heroes and honours

In Rwanda, heroes are recognised based on three categories – Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.

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

It includes Maj Gen Fred Rwigema, who died on the frontline a day after the RPF-RPA launched the country’s armed liberation struggle in October 1990. It also includes the ‘Unknown Soldier', who represents all the men and women in uniform who lost their lives during the campaign to liberate the country.

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

This category includes King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Michel Rwagasana (special adviser to late King Rudahigwa), and Agathe Uwilingiyimana, the female prime minister who was slain by genocidal government forces within just hours of the start of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Others in this category include Félicité Niyitegeka, a Catholic nun who offered shelter to fleeing Tutsi during the genocide only to be killed by the Interahamwe militia alongside the people who she had hidden in her house at a parish in Rubavu District; and the Nyange Secondary School students, whose school was attacked by the remnants of the genocidal forces and Interahamwe militia on March 18, 1997 (six of the students were killed on that fateful night).

The Ingenzi category comprises living heroes but their list is yet to be published and the Chancellery has submitted names of candidates for this decoration who are subject to cabinet approval.

Orders and decorations of honours include Uruti that is awarded to those who played a role in liberating the country, Umurinzi that is awarded to those who played role in fighting and stopping the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Agaciro that is given to a leader with activities in developing the country in politics, economy, welfare, Igihango given to those with outstanding activities that paved Rwanda’s cooperation with other countries.

They also include Indashyikirwa medal awarded to those who managed to bring innovations that boost national development, Indangamirwa to those who highly promoted Rwandan culture and Indengabaganizi awarded to those who sacrificed themselves to save people without thinking of losing their lives