Patriotism Day

The young Rwandan men and women who lived in exile for years, aimed at launching struggle on October 01, 1990 to liberate Rwanda.

October 1 will always be an important day in the history of Rwanda. On this day, Rwandans celebrate Patriotism Day.

It is the day of the launch of the four-year liberation struggle, in October 1990, when young Rwandans in the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) took up arms and decided to liberate the country from decades of anarchy.

Filled with sweet melodies of liberation, for young Rwandans it is a day of reflection on the love for the nation, and their role to ensure that patriotic values are upheld, while dutifully serving their motherland.

The legacy set by the military wing of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) – RPA, is a motivating factor that drives many young Rwandans to sustain and build from what was achieved in all aspects of security, social, and economic development.

Over the years, young Rwandans have demonstrated the patriotic spirit. Their involvement in building the nation can be seen through commitment, ownership and sacrifice for solutions to social ills.

Male youth volunteer testing students for temperature during COVID-19 outbreak in Rwanda

The youth took the lead through volunteerism in the fight against Covid-19, engaging in fighting malnutrition, human and drug trafficking and anti-corruption campaigns, all the while being active in leadership activities at any level, be it in school, church, neighborhoods and communities.

The noble contribution of volunteerism to national development is estimated to be 310,000 youth participants. Available figures show 59,368 community health workers, 150,366 local government officials and committees, each of them working for an estimated 100 days in a year, 65,000 election process managers each working for an estimated 15 days a year, 5,352 Abunzi officials, 24,000 Gacaca officials and 5,000 Red Cross volunteers each working for an estimated 50 days in year.

A team of Abunzi helping in mediation of Rwandans with disputes

For these young Rwandans, it means sacrifice, and the courage of serving the country with a high sense of patriotism, responsibility, and selflessness.

In 1994, Rwanda was written off as a failed state, a basket case. Social, political and economic structures had collapsed. Over the last 28 years, now, what the country is, is a result of a great effort and sacrifice made by the valiant men and women. By every measure, Rwanda has become one of the most successful countries in Africa with homegrown solutions.

For the young generation Patriotism Day celebrations should be a time to develop new patriotic ideas, an opportunity to serve by example and comprehend that for building the nation they are in for the long haul, so as to positive change in the country.