PHOTOS: Kagame graces Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday
Sunday, November 24, 2024
President Paul Kagame and Tito Rutaremara during the celebration of Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday on Saturday, November 23. Photos by Village Urugwiro

President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Saturday, November 23, attended Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday celebration, joining the veteran politician's family and friends.

Rutaremara, who is fondly called Mzee Tito, has been active in Rwandan politics for more than three decades. He is a former Senator and Ombudsman.

The veteran politician is among the founders of the Rwandese Alliance for National Unity (RANU), the political movement founded in 1979, which later became the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) in 1987.

The RPF/Army launched the war to liberate Rwanda in 1990, seeking the return of Rwandan refugees, and in 1994, they stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.

President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kgame pose for a photo with Rutaremara's family during the ceremony.

ALSO READ: Tito Rutaremara on why war was the only option to liberate Rwanda

Rutaremara is currently the Chairperson of Rwanda Elders&039; Advisory Forum, which advises the government on national issues, political orientation and challenges related to good governance.

Born in 1944 in Gatsibo, in then Kibungo territory, in today's Eastern Province, Rutaremara fled Rwanda with his family after the 1959 pogroms that targeted the Tutsi.

Young Rutaremara, who had attended primary school in Gatsibo and left Rwanda when he was in the second year of secondary school at College St Andre, continued his studies in Uganda. He later went to Europe for his university studies.

ALSO READ: Stories of Rwanda's keypolitical actors beginning to be told

In an interview with The New Times in July this year, Rutaremara reflected on the war that put an end to decades of ethnic discrimination and genocidal violence in Rwanda.

Kagame and Rutaremara share a light moment at the event.

"We started [the war] on October 1, 1990. Because we didn't have any other means, we had to come and liberate by force," Rutaremara told The New Times' Linda Kagire.

He was one of RPF negotiators during the Arusha peace talks with the Juvenal Habyarimana regime, seeking to bring the early 1990s war to an end.

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Rutaremara, who has seen Rwanda during and after colonialism and taken part in its liberation effort since the 1970s until 1994, said that the actual liberation started after the Genocide against the Tutsi, when Rwandans had to build a unified country the tragic history.

ALSO READ: Tito Rutaremara on how unity is Rwanda&039;s foundation

Kagame speaks during Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday anniversary in Kigali.

The man who has also taken part in the post-Genocide reconstruction believes that the journey to liberate Rwandans continues today in various aspects, including poverty eradication.

"It is still a journey. Of course, in some areas we have achieved high results and in others, not yet, but we are yet to get where we want to be," Rutaremara said.

He believes that Rwandan youth must take over the liberation baton to continue to develop the country. He also believes that Rwanda's leadership with Paul Kagame as President has a good vision for the country.

"We have got a very good visionary leader who sees further than anyone can see, who knows how to organise and mobilise people," Rutaremara said, reflecting on President Kagame's development vision.

Mariya Yohani was among artistes who performed during Rutaremara's celebration.
Rutaremara, who is fondly called Mzee Tito, has been active in Rwandan politics for more than three decades.
The event was attended by different delegates including former senators.
Rutaremara addresses delegates who attended his ceremony.
Delegates at the celebration of Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday on Saturday, November 23. Photos by Village Urugwiro
President Kagame and other delegates during the ceremony
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame graced the ceremony on Saturday, November 23. Rutaremara was born in 1944 in Gatsibo, in then Kibungo territory, in today's Eastern Province.
President Paul Kagame and Tito Rutaremara during the celebration of Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday on Saturday, November 23. Photos by Village Urugwiro

President Paul Kagame and Tito Rutaremara share a light moment during the celebration of Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday on Saturday, November 23. Photos by Village Urugwiro
Rutaremara and family members cut a cake at the event. Rutaremara was born in 1944 in Gatsibo, in then Kibungo territory, in today's Eastern Province.
A traditional ballet entertaining the audience at the event
Tito Rutaremara interacts with former president of the senate Bernard Makuza at the event in Kigali.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame also graced the ceremony.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame pose for a photo with some delegates.