Be exemplary ambassadors, PM tells Diaspora students

The Prime Minister, Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, has called on Rwandan students who study abroad to serve as their country’s ambassadors. Habumuremyi made the call at the opening of this year’s Itorero (Civic Education) for 258 students at Rwanda Military Academy in Bugesera district. He highlighted the country’s achievements in rebuilding itself and urged the students to join the cause. “You should be brave and ready to participate in the development of your country. Wherever you arr studying or working from you should bear in mind that the country needs your input as the future leaders.He said despite the country’s rapid development, there some people who are against it telling the attentive students that they should play a significant role in clarifying to such people.Addressing participants who also included Rwandans working abroad, the Prime Minister talked about the current state of affairs in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He said that contrary to allegations, Rwanda was not backing Congolese rebels.“The Rwanda government is not responsible for the ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo. “We have done a lot to preserve peace in this region, there is no way we can get involved in destabilising the region,” he said.The ceremony was also graced by the Minister of Defence, James Kabarebe, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen Charles Kayonga and the head of Itorero National Taskforce, Boniface Rucagu. Speaking to The New Times, Valentine Nsanzumuhire a student from Bugema University in Uganda said that “ Sometimes you can even forget your Mother-tongue but when we meet as Rwandans we interact and learn more norms and culture”,Out of 258 participants, 163 came from Uganda, 22 from Burundi, 18 came from Saudi Arabia while others came from Malawi, Asia, Europe and USA.Vastine Ntegeyimbuga, who braved a five day journey from Malawi, said she was happy to return after a long time away from home.“I know it was a long journey but I had no choice because I felt I wanted to come and see where our country has reached in terms of development, and I’m happy to be part of this group”, she said.