SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — Religious leaders should play a profound role to foster unity, peace and security, 15 years after the Liberation struggle.

Brig. Gen. Mubarak Muganga, made the remarks last Friday while addressing religious leaders who had gathered for Liberation Day discussions at Muhanga cultural centre.

Gen. Muganga said, "Religious leaders should liberate souls and minds of their followers, restore the sense of humanity, in addition to fighting against genocide ideology, and poverty.”

He noted that the history of Rwanda was destroyed by poor leadership and partisan politics which resulted into divisions, destruction, displacements and subsequent genocide in the 1994.

To this, Muganga said religious leaders need to set a good trend by emulating today’s model leaders in order to win back national pride, restore national unity, peace and development.

"The liberation struggle was driven by the previous leaders whose poor leadership style could  be seen at times even through their public statements. Today, there is evidence that the country is moving on and we need to uphold this legacy of good leadership among our spiritual followers,” he stated.

In his presentation, on "The role of religion in liberating Rwandans”, Gen. Muganga listed the fight against genocide and its ideology, peace, repatriation of Rwandan refugees, increased social and economic welfare, fighting corruption, and democratic leadership as some of achievements made after the liberation struggle.

Religious leaders asked for more collaboration with security agencies and unanimously agreed to play a profound role in sensitising residents on unity, reconciliation, peace and development.

Commenting on the state of the country after 15 years, Bishop Smargde Mbonyintege, said: "There is remarkable progress and it is our goal to have all Rwandans live in peace, unity and fight poverty.

We want Rwandans to become better people and we are still fighting genocide ideology in order to become better citizens of this world.”

Ends