EAC week ends in style

Live music performances by Rwandan artists and a long distance march marked the end of the East African Community (EAC) Week yesterday in Amahoro stadium.The closing ceremony, led by EAC affairs Minister Monique Mukaruliza, began with a walk from the stadium to Kibagabaga, through Nyarutarama and Gishushu and back to the stadium. Clad in white and green T-shirts, hundreds of participants, who included senior government officials, trekked the journey chanting songs promoting deeper integration among the five EAC partner states. In an interview conducted during the walk, Mukaruliza told reporters that her ministry chose a march as a sign that sports is good for healthy lives. “Sport makes people have better and longer lives. We want our people in EAC to have healthy lives. We appeal to every Rwandan to participate in sports,” she said. She added that during the past week, Rwandans were sensitized on why the country chose to join the EAC and what it stands to benefit from the five-member bloc. Later in the day, dignitaries who included Prime Minister Bernard Makuza and the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Planning and Infrastructure) Aloy Mutabingwa, joined a huge audience in a music performance by renowned Rwandan artists like; Masamba and the group, The Ben. Makuza presented awards to students and schools that excelled in national essay writing competition. La Colombiere School emerged the best out of 10 schools and it was awarded school laboratory equipment worth $1,000 plus a plaque and Certificate. Belyse Kanziza, a student from La Colombiere School, beat her ten counterparts walking way with a cash prize of $300. Ends