05 August 2020

Unity Club organizes sessions on various topics with industry leaders and experts with the objective of building capacity and ensuring knowledge-transfer for unity club members. In line with that mandate, three (3) dialogue sessions were organized on 30th July 2020 focusing on the genesis of Intwararumuri.

Given the measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 virus, all conversations were conducted virtually.

Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the first vice Chairperson of Unity Club, explained the background and meaning of Intwararumuri emphasizing the two words: Gutwara (Carry) and Urumuri (Light) that make up and define the word Intwararumuri (Torch Bearers).

She clearly state that with examples: To carry/ Carrying the things that you know pretty well, the way you carry it , the place you carry it to, the person to whom you are carrying it to, and what he/she will use it for. To light/ No one takes light by himself, if you provide the light in the house everybody will automatically benefit from it. 

Dr. Monique also talked about the origin of Unity Club Intwararumuri where she said that the idea  of creating Unity Club Intwararumuri came a little bid after 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, and in that time women in Government and the wives of the people  in Government led by First Lady Jeannette Kagame worked hand in hand and put their efforts together, and agreed that  after the extreme atrocities committed to Rwandans  by other Rwandans, that they need to meet and know one another and concluded to talk about the history of our country with no emotions and create strong hope within themselves, in order to rebuild the country.

The meaning of Intwararumuri

Hon. Protais Musoni, centred on attributes of Intwararumuri (Light bearer person), explain the characteristics of Intwararumuri of Unity Club and their contribution in building the Rwanda we want.

Hon. Musoni said “Intwararumuri is a person who advocates for a certain cause, with clarity of the intention and benefit of that cause for the people. She/he is someone who is wholeheartedly committed to spearhead and become a catalyst in the transformation towards a specific cause. This is someone who leads by example, walks the talk and whose life is exemplary in every aspect of the society and journey of transformation. Furthermore, Intwararumuri is a person committed to mobilising and teaching others the essence of unity for Rwandans and the entire human being. They are role models in every way, one who has overcome stereotypes that limit the Unity of Rwandans including race/ ethnicity, origins, and foreign languages.”

Hindrances to Intwararumuri

Hon. Rosemary Mbabazi, the Minister of youth and culture, highlighted the challenges Intwararumuri can encounter such as corruption, partiality and nepotism that hinder Intwararumuri from achieving their collective goals, and most importantly said that those challenges hinder the development of the country. Moreover, Minister Rosemary shared insights on what should be done to prevent and tackle those challenges.

Hon. Mbabazi said “A good leader must not put his/her own interest before others, on the contrary; he/she should value and prioritise the benefits of citizens in general.”

She ended by a take home that “When you carry that light you are for a bigger call than yourself”.