Rwanda will on July 4, 2013 celebrate the 19th Liberation Day and 51 years of Independence anniversaries across villages (Umudugudu) to create a better impact on Rwandans.
The anniversaries, which have over the past decades been celebrated by hosting of a major event at Amahoro National Stadium, entertained the audience with performers such as national military parades, military band, and martial arts demonstrations.
Taking the celebrations from national to community level follows the observation by the government officials of the challenges faced by the people to attend the event, mostly the less privileged to travel to the stadium in the capital city Kigali.
The Government of Rwanda deem stretching the event to the community level as creating a better impact on Rwandans.
“There is a better sense of ownership among the people when they mark the events in their communities,” said Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture.
He reiterated that the celebrations will be held in the villages to ‘help the people to be involved in the commemoration and see beyond the event.
Hon. Mitali explained that July 1 (Independence Day) and July 4 (Liberation Day) will be public holidays as usual but commemoration of both days will be observed on July 4 when events will be organised in villages under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government.
July 4 marks the day when the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994 and established a unity and reconciliation government while July 1 marks the day Rwanda acquired its independence from Belgium in 1962 that included other political parties.
The government officials are yet to announce this year’s theme before the commemoration commences.