Officers and men of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) yesterday contributed the single largest envelop to Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF), amounting to Rwf1.6 billion.While receiving the cheque, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa, expressed gratitude towards the country’s armed forces for their selfless and exemplary services to the nation."In this initiative, money is not the most important factor but the spirit to contribute. The desire and need to develop one’s country above the ordinary is the uttermost sense of patriotism. "RDF has demonstrated that the military isn’t only here to protect us, but to also become partners in development,” Rwangombwa said.The Minister of Defence, James Kabarebe, said the history of monetary contributions from the Rwandan military towards nation building goes way back to the liberation struggle."After the liberation struggle, RPA (Rwanda Patriotic Army) officers and men contributed their nine-month salary for the equipping of RPA, when the nation had other more-pressing priorities,” Kabarebe said.The RPA was the military wing of the Rwanda Patriotic Front, which unilaterally stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and it was from this force that RDF was borne."RDF soldiers are all the time contributing in terms of man power, professional skills and labour in their daily lives and such sacrifice is what distinguishes our forces from other defence forces.”The RDF contribution brings the Fund’s total amount to over Rwf 20.6 billion in five weeks after it’s launch.AgDF is a solidarity fund initiated by the Rwandans to improve the financial autonomy of the country. It is funded through voluntary contributions by Rwandans in the country, in the Diaspora as well as well-wishers.