July 4: A rebirth of a nation, reflecting on a liberation struggle

Yesterday, on July 4, Rwandans within and outside the country met to celebrate the Liberation Day, the day when Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), an army wing of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) against all odds to stop the genocide that was being committed by the former regime, and liberated the country. The New Times’ Emmanuel Ntirenganya spoke to Rwandans of different walks of life who shared their views on what the Liberation Day means to them: Draphrose Mukarutamu, chairperson of Duhozanye, an association of Genocide widows in Gisagara District July 4 is a day we genocide survivors got a new lease of life. It is the date of rebirth for us, because we were dead even before the Genocide started. The genocide was committed in short time, but it left us with many wounds as it brutally claimed lives of our beloved ones. It is always worthwhile to celebrate this day. Our people were killed, our property looted, but we endured, and managed to live with other Rwandans thanks to the good leadership ushered in by the Liberation. Now we have security, a survivor sleeps soundly. Michel Habumugisha, shoemaker from Nyabihu District I used to repair shoes on a roadside in Nyabihu District where I would hardly make Rwf500 per day. But now, my revenue has increased by over 10 times and I have my own shoemaking equipment. I have also diversified, instead of mending, I make shoes and other leather products like belts and handbags. We are no longer looking to government to provide for us and to me that is liberation. We have unity; we are all one people as Rwandans, while Rwandans were divided in the past. Dignitaries from different countries convene in Rwanda for meetings while others come as tourists, all this was impossible just 24 years ago. Bad politics made Rwandans divided, but now we have good politics that is only looking to develop our country. Agnes Mukazibera, Member of Parliament July 4, Liberation Day, means life, rebirth, hope for the future, life ahead. The day also means enjoying and celebrating the rights that everyone is entitled to. No discrimination, no lack of access to education because one’s ethnic background as it was in the past. Education for all is ensured. We had one university but now we have dozens of universities including privately owned ones and to me, all this is because of the liberation. Germain Twagirimana, 35, a motorcyclist from Gasabo District Liberation Day means peace to me, it is happiness for me. I carry my passengers on my motorcycle and I can drive all day and night to earn my daily bread thanks to the thriving security. All the peace we enjoy was brought about by the liberation that occurred 24 years ago. Jean-Baptiste Hategekimana, Chairman of Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness (RYAF) July 4 is a day to continue reflecting on our liberation and the sacrifice made by those who put their life on the life for us to have the country that we have today. They were largely youth in their 30s and many of them paid the ultimate price in the process. Bad politics and governance led to the murder of over a million of our people. Therefore, as the youth, we should build what has been achieved leveraging the good leadership we have to take our country further. We should make a step towards development, increasing purchasing power of a Rwandan. For instance, there is a cow that produced 38 litres of milk per day which was awarded at National Agriculture Exhibition on Monday, July 2, 2018. We can even have 100,000 cows that can give such milk yield, and by so doing, we enhance nutrition and wealth of the people.

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July 4: A rebirth of a nation, reflecting on a liberation struggle