RPF convenes first UK retreat

Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), at the weekend, held a retreat in the United Kingdom convening over 300 party members from the country and across Europe. A participant asks a question during the meeting. Courtesy The retreat in Coventry, West Midlands, also saw the swearing in of new members including several youth from the UK Diaspora community. In the UK, the party has eight cells with plans to increase and expand them in the near future. Speaking at the event, Edouard Bamporiki, the head of the National Itorero Commission, called on the youth present to be actively involved in the development of the country. “You are not responsible for what happened, but you have the responsibility of rebuilding what was destroyed by the old generation,” said Bamporiki, who was the guest of honour. One of the RwandAir ticket raffle prize winners He said the Diaspora community and the youth have a role to play for the party’s mission and vision to be achieved. “If we continue to adopt the ideology of one ‘Rwandan’ people, we will continue to thrive as a people and as a nation – this is the philosophy of RPF. We wish for the Rwandans and RPF-UK to continue to grow in numbers and in strength. RPF-Inkotanyi represents the Rwanda of today and tomorrow,” he added. Despite living abroad, Bamporiki called on Rwandans living in the Diaspora to hold on to their culture, heritage and identity. He advised party members abroad to ensure they understand the history of the country and the ideology of the RPF and continue to learn more about being Rwandan through the language and culture, to ensure that their contribution to the country were relevant. Kalisa Kalemera, an elder of the Rwandan community in the UK, called on Rwandans living abroad to seek to be involved in the country’s development and not only admire it from a distance Mr Kalisa Kalemera speaks during the meeting. “We must not only admire our country’s economic development and the milestones of Rwanda – we must also participate,” he said. The High Commissioner for Rwanda to the UK, Yamina Karitanyi, reiterated the need to invest in the country’s strength to ensure sustainability in growth. Recently sworn in members with Edouard Bamporiki and High Commissioner Karitanyi UK RPF Committee stand for recognition during the meeting UK RPF members attend the meeting editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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RPF convenes first UK retreat