The 12th edition of Urugerero, Rwanda’s national civic education and community service programme, is creating a profound and transformative impact on local communities.

Participants are building homes for the elderly, constructing roads, renovating shelters, combating stunting, promoting national unity, and raising awareness about the dangers of genocide ideology.

This year's initiative, which started on 13rd January drew over 69,000 participants (known as Inkomezabigwi) from across the country. They are recent high school graduates who finalized their studies in the 2023/2024 academic year. These young volunteers dedicate themselves to addressing pressing needs within their sectors.

The programme is set to conclude on February 28.

Changing lives through selfless service

One life transformed by Urugerero is that of Eriana Nyirabucyana, an 85-year-old resident of Nyamirama Sector, in Kayonza District. She had been living with her granddaughter in a dilapidated shelter that posed a constant risk to their safety. Thanks to Inkomezabigwi’s efforts, a new house is being built for her next to the old one.

“I cannot thank these young boys and girls enough. They have given me a safe home and restored my dignity. Their selflessness has changed my life,” Eriana expressed with heartfelt gratitude.

Inspiring change

Participants have embraced the spirit of volunteerism and unity fostered by the programme.

Jean Eric Ndayishimiye, from Rukara Sector, KayonzaDistrict, shared his pride in contributing to the well-being of his community. “We are building a house and a toilet for Vestine Nyiranjishi, a widow with no shelter. Authorities are supporting us, and it’s rewarding to see our work making a difference,” he said.

In reflecting on the ongoing success of the Urugerero program in Kayonza, Mayor John Bosco emphasized the positive results of youth participation in community service, highlighting the tangible improvements in local development.

"We are already seeing visible results, with many participants engaging in activities such as building kitchen gardens to combat malnutrition, constructing houses for the needy, and more. These efforts are rooted in the values they have been taught. The time they spend at Urugerero leaves a lasting and rewarding impact. We thank them a lot," he said.

From Monday to Thursday, participants engage in manual labor and contribute directly to community development projects. Fridays are reserved for civic education, a parade, dialogue on unity and reconciliation, training on national values, and strategic planning for the following week’s activities.

The parade, which takes place every Friday, is a significant activity in the programme, fostering teamwork, punctuality, and a sense of responsibility, according to Alice Iradukunda, a 20-year-old participant from Nyamirama Sector, Kayonza District.

“The parade has taught me the importance of teamwork and punctuality. I plan to continue embracing the values I’ve learned from the parade, even after completing my education. My gratitude goes to the government for this opportunity,” she said.

In his address to Urugerero participants in RuramiraSector, Kayonza District, Jean Claude Sewase, an official from the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), commended their achievements and urged them to uphold the core values of Rwandan culture: unity, patriotism, integrity, and hard work. He emphasized that these values are the cornerstone of a culture of excellence, essential for driving the country’s sustainable development.

Reviving ancient tradition for development

Urugerero is rooted in an ancient Rwandan tradition. In precolonial Rwanda, Urugerero was a military formation of groups of warriors deployed to all boundaries of the Kingdom and dedicated to the mission of protecting the country from foreign invasions. It was dismantled during the colonial era by Belgian rulers as part of their divide-and-rule strategy.

Relaunched officially by President Paul Kagame on June 15, 2013, under the National Itorero Policy approved in 2011, Urugerero seeks to restore unity, patriotism, integrity, and selfless service—values that defined pre-colonial Rwandan society.

Urugerero fosters a culture of volunteerism and equips youth with civic education while empowering them to address societal challenges and contribute to national development.

Since its relaunch, Urugerero has mobilized over 559,686 participants, saving the government more than Rwf2 billion in public expenditure. These achievements highlight the programme’s dual mission of empowering young people and addressing pressing community needs.

Urugerero continues to leave an indelible mark on both participants and communities, building a united, resilient, and forward-looking Rwanda through the power of volunteerism and civic engagement.