What does ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ mean to you?

A campaign aimed at healing and unifying Rwandans dubbed, Ndi Umunyarwanda (loosely translated as “I’m Rwandan”), is ‘trending’ in the country.It was borne out of the YouthConnekt dialogue to help Rwandans, especially the youth, openly talk about their history, repent, forgive, and heal in the post-Genocide period.The New Times’ Eugene Kwibuka talked to various persons including ordinary Rwandans, leaders, experts and researchers, as well as foreigners about what they think Ndi Umunyarwanda is all about.Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, Prime Minister. ‘The programme is inspired by the desire to build a strong, united society after it was torn apart during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. No Rwandan gets loans, fertilisers, scholarship or medical insurance based on being Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. Rwandan identity prevails above any other. Seeking the truth, expressing the remorse for what happened during the Genocide, encouraging apologies and forgiveness and taking measures to ensure that what happened never happens again are the foundation of Ndi Umunyarwanda programme.’David Toovey, researcher and writer working in Kigali. ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda creates the space for Rwandans to reflect on their past in an open and genuine way. My friends have travelled back to their villages to be part of the programme and it shows how much they care about their country reaching full unity and reconciliation. In the lead up to the 20th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, this is an important initiative and could be a model for other post-conflict societies.’Cynthia Umurungi, KFM presenter. ‘It’s a concept to defend what I would call Rwandanness, which is the deepest value ever. Being Rwandan means that I could be Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa but these things are smaller than my being Rwandan. If it’s well-implemented, Ndi Umunyarwanda will help a lot because it will be a platform to break the awkward silence that we have in our society. We shouldn’t be carrying the trauma of not being able to express ourselves. We can express ourselves and still be Rwandans.’Jeanne Ingabire Butera, alias Knowless, artiste. ‘I think it will help Rwandans to see themselves as Rwandans rather than Hutus, Tutsis, or Twa. It will help the young ones to ensure a bright future because it reminds us about Rwandan values such as integrity and heroism.’Solange Mukasonga, Nyarugenge mayor. ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda is an important pillar for unity and reconciliation in Rwanda. Our country’s history has affected and inflicted wounds on every Rwandan. While talking about issues can help in healing process, Rwandans are normally reserved people. They need a platform where they can talk about what they feel and think in order to heal and move forward. Ndi Umunyarwanda will help build trust among Rwandans and it will bring a lot of successes for this country because we will see more people working together and developing themselves more than before.’Edouard Bamporiki, Member of Parliament. ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda is a place where we sit and reclaim our identity. It means that at one point in the Rwandan history some people were not proud of being Rwandans while others were proud of that. It’s now for all of us together to be proud of being Rwandan.’ Mgr Smaragde Mbonyintege, Bishop of Kabgayi Diocese. ‘As a church person, I think that everything that brings Rwandans together is very welcome. Ndi Umunyarwanda will help Rwandans to overcome the frustrations about their history by sharing them with each other. It will help Rwandans to move forward in building their country.’ Timothy Barutwanayo, commercial motorcycle rider. ‘I think the initiative was long overdue given our sad history. What is special about it is that it will end ethnic resentments among Rwandans. In Rwanda, people do what their leaders tell them to do and I think it’s good to teach Rwandans about the importance of being Rwandan. The young people are not going to grow up looking at themselves as members of different ethnic groups.’

National

What does ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ mean to you?