KARONGI- Rwandans were yesterday urged to uphold the country’s culture and language during an event to mark the International Mother Tongue Day.

At a colourful function which attracted thousands of Karongi residents, various speakers underscored that the mother tongue was a firm base for a country’s socio-economic development.

During the celebrations graced by the Minister of Youth and Culture, Protais Mitali, local artistes, especially poets and dancers, were rewarded for their creativity that has promoted the Rwandan culture.

The minister encouraged the public to promote cultural dances and rhymes as a way of further inculcating the language and culture among the younger generations.

"Our Kinyarwanda language is a foundation upon which we can learn other languages and cultures. We should endeavour to promote and uphold its core values,” he said.

The Minister explained that strategies are in place to further strengthen the Rwandan culture, especially among primary school children.

 "We are lucky we speak one language throughout the country and we ought to ensure that this unique culture will always be part of us,” Mitali said.

He emphasised that it was vital to learn other languages as a way of supplementing the country’s mother tongue.

 Similarly, the president of the commission in charge of protecting the Rwandan language and culture (Inteko Izirikana), Anatole Kaberuka, urged Rwandans to exhibit full commitment.

 "If we don’t promote the language ourselves, no one will do it for us,” he said.

One of the best cultural performers in Karongi District, Focus Sikubwabo, was upbeat about the preservation efforts of the country’s culture and language.

"Our culture helps to identify Rwandans as one family; that is why no one should hesitate to protect it,” he said.

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