In Rwanda, July is not just another month on the calendar; it holds something deeper.
More than just the heat of summer, it reminds us who we are, where we’ve come from,
and how far we’ve journeyed as Rwandans. It’s a time when the country takes a quiet
pause to honor two other powerful moments in our history: Independence Day and Liberation Day.
For Rwandans, these days are not just stories we learn in school. They are memories our parents carry in their bones. The sacrifices our communities still speak about in hushed voices. The victories that shape the way we live and move today with pride, purpose, and possibility.
You might wonder why these days matter so much. But the answer is simple. On July 1,
In 1962, Rwanda officially became an independent country after decades under Belgian colonial rule. That moment when the Belgian flag came down and the Rwandan flag rose for the first time-the moment we called Rwanda our own.
Across the country, people sang, danced, and gave speeches full of hope. Even though
Life remained difficult, but the pride was real. Independence was never the end of the journey; it was just the beginning. The years that followed brought struggles: conflict, injustice, and division. Yet Independence Day stands as a reminder of the bravery it took to say “we are free,” and the determination it takes to stay that way.
Today, most Rwandans may not have lived through 1962, but they carry the spirit
of that moment. For them, independence means having the freedom to dream, to study, to work, to create, and to truly belong.
While Independence gave Rwanda its name, Liberation gave Rwanda its heart. We also celebrate July 4, as that day in Rwanda 1994, when Rwanda found its way back from the edge. After 100 horrifying days during the Genocide against the Tutsi, where over one million lives were taken, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) stopped the killings and brought the nation back from destruction.
The bullets stopped. But something even more powerful began healing, rebuilding, and unity.
As President Paul Kagame said during the 30th Liberation Day ceremony in Kigali:
“Liberation is not a one-time event. It is a mindset, a choice to never go back to division and hate. It is the strength to build and protect what is ours, together.”
He added something even deeper: “This pact of trust, which we call igihango, is the solid foundation upon which our country was rebuilt. Rwanda seeks peace for itself and for everyone in our region. We know the value of peace, just as well as anyone else, maybe even more.”
Liberation Day is not just about 1994. It’s about how we live now, free, united, and at
peace. It’s about building homes, starting businesses, raising children, creating art, and living without fear. That’s what liberation gave us: the chance to build our own lives again and even better.
You don’t need to look far to see what liberation looks like today. It’s a teacher
confidently leading a lesson. It’s about a young entrepreneur building an app in a quiet café. It’s a farmer planting crops without fear. It’s in the soft, simple sound of children walking to school every morning.
No fireworks light the sky in July. No loud celebrations fill the streets. But still, the weight
of this month is felt deeply. It lives in our actions, every notebook opened, every quiet handshake between neighbors. This is how we honor what came before us.
There’s an old saying: Once you sharpen your hoe, use it wisely. July is that moment. A time to sharpen our tools, focus our energy, and move forward together, as One Nation, One Story.
Independence gave us our voice. Liberation gave us our strength. July brings both stories together. It’s a proud reminder of who we are and a gentle push toward who we’re still becoming.
So, as Rwanda steps into another July, we do so with steady hearts and clear eyes. We
are a country that has seen the worst yet continues to choose the best. A people who
remember and still believe.
Let’s teach our children why these days matter. Let’s honor the past, live the present, and build the future with hope, with unity, and with love for our country. Because Rwanda’s story is still being written. And we are all a part of it.
