Gatsibo District, August 10, 2026 – The 16th cohort of the Itorero Indangamirwa national civic education program officially concludes today at the Rwanda Defence Force Combat Training Centre (CTC) in Gabiro, Gatsibo District, bringing to a close a 40-day intensive training session that began on July 1, 2026.
The program brought together 769 young Rwandans aged between 18 and 23, drawn from diverse backgrounds including Rwandan students and professionals living abroad, students enrolled in international schools operating in Rwanda, outstanding graduates of the national service program (Inkomezabigwi Cycle 13), and university and higher education students.
Throughout the six-week training, participants were equipped with a comprehensive curriculum designed to instill Rwandan cultural values, patriotism, and the principles of Ubutore a traditional Rwandan ethos of excellence, discipline, and service. Key training modules included:
- Cultural values and ethics (indangagaciro na kirazira) rooted in Rwandan heritage and the spirit of Ubutore;
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to enable youth to become solution-oriented citizens (Intagamburuzwa) in the face of life’s challenges;
- Civic responsibility and the importance of being ambassadors of Rwanda who contribute to national development both at home and abroad;
- Rwandan history, including the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the country’s liberation journey, with visits to memorial sites such as the Kiziguro Genocide Memorial in Gatsibo District;
- Rwanda’s national vision and the role of youth in safeguarding the country’s achievements and advancing sustainable development.
The program also featured engagements with senior government and military officials, including an address by the Defence Spokesperson and Director General of International Military Cooperation, as well as a meeting with President Paul Kagame on July 28, 2026, during which he encouraged the youth to be problem solvers and active defenders of the nation’s progress.
As the 16th cohort graduates today, the young Rwandans are expected to return to their respective communities, academic institutions, and professional endeavors equipped with a renewed sense of national identity, leadership, and commitment to Rwanda’s continued growth and unity.
