Eric Mahoro, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Unity and Civic Responsibility (MINUBUMWE), has urged youth attending the 13th session of the Inkomezabigwi Camp to embrace lessons that preserve Rwanda’s history and uphold national values.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Murama Sector, Ngoma District, during the national launch of the camp, Mahoro stressed the importance of civic ethics, patriotism, and community service. The camp gathers recent secondary school graduates from the 2024/2025 academic year for an intensive program designed to shape responsible, engaged citizens.
Mahoro traced the roots of Rwanda’s Itorero tradition to the Gihanga heritage, further formalized under King Ruganzu I Bwimba. Historically, Itorero trained Rwandans in respect, peaceful coexistence, unity, hard work, and national pride. He noted that colonial interventions in 1924 disrupted this tradition, replacing it with education aimed at foreign interests—a legacy later restored by the government under President Paul Kagame in 2007.
The Permanent Secretary called on participants to apply these principles in daily life, actively protecting the nation’s history, defending achievements, and contributing to local development.
Governor of Eastern Province, Pudence Rubingisa, highlighted community-focused activities included in the camp: building homes for vulnerable families, clearing roads, cultivating kitchen gardens, promoting hygiene, addressing malnutrition, and training residents on technology.
The Inkomezabigwi program represents a strategic government effort to instill patriotism, civic responsibility, and problem-solving skills among youth, empowering them to drive sustainable, community-led development across Rwanda.
