The Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation at the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Lt. Col. Vincent Mugisha, has urged 65 diaspora youth participating in the Rwanda Youth Tour 2023 to embrace unity and think big for their country.

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During a session held on Friday, July 14, at RDF Headquarters, Mugisha highlighted the importance of accountability, self-respect, and dignity among the youth, and urged them to preserve their culture, make the most of their opportunities, and promote their country wherever they go.

Mugisha, who was part of Rwanda’s liberation struggle, shared with the youth the history of Rwanda, highlighting the period before colonialism, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and how RPF Inkotanyi, led by President Paul Kagame, liberated the country and put an end to the Genocide.

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Emphasizing the significance of unity, Mugisha explained its role in the victory of RPF and in the subsequent nation-building process. He encouraged the youth to pursue their studies diligently, acquire knowledge, and return to invest in their home country to contribute to its development.

Diaspora is valuable

During the interactive session, Mugisha highlighted the significant contribution of Rwandans in the diaspora to the liberation struggle, underscoring that Rwanda still values its citizens who live in diaspora as well as their unity.

He emphasized key factors that led to RPF’s victory in liberating the country such as patriotism, resilience, achieving remarkable outcomes with limited resources, consistency, adaptability, and staying focused amidst changes.

Fight Genocide denial

Mugisha urged the youth to actively combat Genocide deniers and individuals promoting Genocide ideology, both online and offline, including on social media platforms.

He encouraged them to deepen their understanding of history and share their personal experiences from their tour of Rwanda, emphasizing the importance of bearing witness to the truth.

Youth speak out

Kennedy Bizimana, one of the team leaders, highlighted the importance of diaspora youth understanding the country&039;s history.

He said the knowledge helps them navigate encounters with enemies of Rwanda and individuals who deny its history, including Genocide against the Tutsi.

He noted that learning about history of Rwanda while in the country enables easier comprehension and instills a sense of its value.

Bizimana added that he drew inspiration from the RDF, appreciating their heroism, discipline, and patriotism.

Elina Gahamanyi, who resides in the UK, said she learned more about Rwanda's liberation and RPF Inkotanyi's struggle, which fueled her pride as a Rwandan.

She said that the lack of true information about the Genocide in her school, was limited to the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and books that skimmed over the actual events. Gahamanyi now aims to educate other people about the true history of Rwanda through writing a book.

Mervine Ntagwabira, a 21-year-old from Canada, expressed joy in learning about his country and meeting other Rwandan diaspora youth from various nations.

He explained that his parents did not teach him much about his homeland during his upbringing, given that they were still affected by the trauma of the Genocide. But they eventually allowed him to join the tour, leading to his positive experience.

Ntagwabira intends to share his newfound love for the country and encourage others to visit.

The youth also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum where they learned more about the liberation struggle and asked questions. Rwanda Youth Tour 2023 started on July 10 and will run until July 23.