Rwanda’s celebration of Umuganura should serve as a reminder for citizens to protect the values that underpin national unity and development, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement Jean-Damascène Bizimana said Friday.
Speaking at the national Umuganura celebration in Rwimbogo Sector, Rusizi district, Bizimana urged Rwandans to reject drug abuse, illicit alcohol and other harmful behaviors that he said could undermine the country’s progress.
“We must fight them and defeat them; we should not simply watch,” Bizimana said, calling on citizens to uphold dignity, responsibility and solidarity.
His remarks came as authorities step up efforts to tackle illicit and substandard alcoholic drinks, which have been blamed for deaths, blindness and other serious health problems. At least 50 people have died and about 100 have lost their sight since the beginning of the year, according to figures cited during the event.
Bizimana said Umuganura has historically been a symbol of unity and shared values among Rwandans. The annual celebration, he said, should not only be about sharing the harvest but also about reflecting on the work and values that produced it.
He urged citizens to embrace hard work, cooperation, resilience and innovation, saying these principles remain essential to Rwanda’s pursuit of self-reliance.
“Guhanura” is rooted in the idea of sharing the fruits of collective effort, Bizimana said, encouraging Rwandans to take pride in achievements made through their own work.
Rwanda celebrated this year’s Umuganura under the theme “The Source of Unity and the Foundation of Self-Reliance.”
