BURERA, NKUMBA – It was with pomp and fanfare at the Peace and Leadership Centre, Nkumba, that people living with disabilities completed their two weeks civic education course.

The 390 people living with different forms of disability, 72 of them women were drawn from different areas. Clad in white T-shirts and army fatigues, the group danced to Rwandan traditional music and displayed their marching skills.

The group, which adopted the name; Abadasyikirwa mu Interambere,’ denounced all Kinyarwanda names which portray them as disabled people and appealed to all Rwandans to respect their rights.

They also appealed to the government to reduce the cut off points for the students with disabilities, seeking to join public universities.

They further said they want a permanent representative at each district to take charge of their affairs. 

"In the past, people with disabilities were marginalised, but when united they can be a strong force, and contribute towards national development,’’ Robert Gakumba, the coordinator of the National Federation for the Disabled-FENAP, Kayonza district said.

At the pass out, it was announced that the Ministry of Local Government had donated 25 cows which will be distributed to five people with the most severe forms of disability in each province of the country.

Pastor Antoine Rutayisire, the vice president of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, observed that the attitude of the disabled people has a big influence in determining their vision, how they live and what they can do.

"It is not your aptitude, but your attitude that determines your success,’’ Rutayisire said.

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