In celebration of Rwanda’s liberation day on July 4, different local celebrities from various fields of the creative industry shared their messages.

Mariya Yohana, traditional singer

As we celebrate the acquired victory, let's remember to pay tribute to those who lost their lives through the struggle of liberating the country that we are proud of having today. This serves as the perfect day to reflect on what our president, HE Paul Kagame has managed to get us all Rwandans to.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Etsu0VRIE

Aline Gahongayire, gospel artiste

As we celebrate Liberation Day for the 29th time, it is an honour, as a nation that upholds the values and principles that have brought us to the freedom we celebrate today. Though we have been through challenges, we also made significant progress through determination to overcome them. Let us look to the future with hope and optimism.

As we continue to work together as a community, I am confident that our country will continue to grow and prosper in upcoming years. May God always be with us.

Riderman, rapper

Whenever this date comes, I recall when I was 8 years old, my family and many other Rwandans who were refugees in Burundi came back to Rwanda singing with joy. We got this liberation because so many people lost their lives, some became disabled, and most left everything behind to make sure that we get the life we are living now. They are our forever heroes, and we owe it to them to protect such a huge achievement. Let’s never take Liberation for granted and make sure that we keep such a legacy as Rwandans to build the best country.

Alyn Sano, artiste

I am in debt to those who fought for us, for me and my generation to be this peaceful, it always rings a bell that I have a legacy to keep. Therefore, I have to grab every opportunity freedom has brought to my table without wasting any time.

Let’s enjoy the peace and keep on being and spreading our light within us. The RPA soldiers did all they could to give us this, therefore, we must prosper above all odds, let’s stay liberated from any negativities, hatred and extremism. We are one, we are Rwandans.

Massamba Intore, traditional singer

There is a generation that did all they could to liberate the country. We shall never go back to the darkness that Rwanda was in then. When I came from exile, I had to serve my country. I urge all Rwandans to be so patriotic and never take this acquired liberation for granted, this is a huge attainment that needs to always be safeguarded at any cost. Happy Liberation Day to all Rwandans.

Junior Rumaga, poet

The fact that we are celebrating liberation for the 29th time, means that we have managed to sustain the first-ever liberation attained. Stepping backwards could land us into the darkness, therefore the liberation legacy must be protected at all cost, aiming to the way forward.

Eliane Umuhire, actress

Liberation Day should be considered as a thanksgiving day to those who gave their youth, dreams and strength so that today Rwandans get to have a prosperous country as it is.

The day is actually a call to action for all Rwandans, to keep on building a selfless spirit, cultivate love, compassion and courage, to free our minds and elevate each other, daily.

Gratien Niyitegeka, actor

Special thanks to those who sacrificed a lot and liberated our country. They put an end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, withstood the genocide ideology and prioritised unity and reconciliation among Rwandans and spread it to the world. We have all we want, and so we ought to work hard and never let anything destroy this freedom.

Antoinette Uwamahoro, actress

There is no possible special gift that we could give to those who liberated our country, apart from being so patriotic. We are so lucky to have good governance. Let’s maintain what we have got, cherish it and be so grateful. With love and hard work, we shall prosper.