Embrace national service, Rucagu advises Rwandans

Rwandans have been urged to embrace the spirit of national service and participate in civic education training programme commonly known as Itorero ry’Igihugu. Boniface Rucagu, the chairman of the National Itorero Taskforce, said this on Wednesday during a consultative meeting in Kigali to assess the institution’s achievements for the past four years and strategise for the next five years.The meeting was attended by the Itorero staff at national level and representatives from across the country. Rucagu said about one million people have undergone civic training since 2008.Up to 37,660 senior six leavers were trained last year, who later served in national voluntary service, which saw them undertake different activities important to their respective communities.“People used to think that Intore is all about dancing or singing but they now know the real meaning of the term, which is a person characterised by good manners and good values,” Rucagu said. “To change people’s perception is a long process. It requires time, hard work with determination in whatever we do. We cannot change all people’s minds but we will at least change a good number of them.”He cited financial constraints, personnel management, and mindset changes among the challenges encountered.