EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — Songs of praise and heroism filled activities to mark heroes’ day yesterday at the police play ground. Addressing residents who braved the scorching sun, the district mayor Valens Ntezirembo noted that it was important to draw lessons from the past in order to build a bright future.

"You cannot sit back and relax and thick you will be remembered as a hero. One can only be categorized as a hero upon working hard,” Ntezirembo observed.

The day was marked under the theme "Heroism in development”.

"Development calls for concerted efforts of all including young  and the old. Heroism in development will not be possible if we do not embrace economic revolution,” Ntezirembo said in apparent reference to the day’s theme.

All the people honored as heroes in the country played a certain role, he said, they either fought for liberation of the country, or contributed in any other form politically, economically or socially.

Valérie Rubibi Nsenga the executive secretary of Kigabiro, where the activities were held noted that apart from remembering the deserted heroes, the day was an opportunity to focus on development so that "they could be remembered as heroes in development.”

Also speaking during the occasion was the RDF representative in the district, Major Masumbuko. He noted that a lot has been achieved since 1994 which he attributed to heroes.

He recalled that by 1990, when the liberation struggle started; many Rwandans had lost hope of survival, but because of the sacrifice ‘by few Rwandans’ that hope has been returned.

He challenged elders to teach the youth about such heroism. Giving an example of Fred Gisa Rwigema, and others, he said for one to qualify as a hero, he must sacrifice a lot of efforts including his life if need be.

"I credit him [Fred Rwigema] for playing a major role in the liberation war,” he said. He also credited the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) and its top brass for doing ‘a great job’ of liberating the country.

Masumbuko appealed to every Rwandan to drop egoism, but maintain love for the country and maintain the credibility it has so far gained on the international scene.

"Our country has built its credibility worldwide and this must be maintained,” Masumbuko said, calling for all citizens to actively get involved.

Ends