Today, July 4, Rwanda commemorates Kwibohora, or Liberation Day, marking 31 years since the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) ended the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and secured the capital, Kigali. The day stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, unity, and transformation.
From Tragedy to Triumph
On this day in 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) halted one of the darkest chapters in modern history. While the war officially ended on July 18 with the liberation of northwestern Rwanda, July 4 remains the defining moment of national rebirth.
Liberation Day follows Independence Day on July 1, but unlike the somber reflection of colonial departure, Kwibohora is a celebration of freedom hard-won through sacrifice
A Nation Reimagined
In the three decades since liberation, Rwanda has undergone a remarkable transformation:
– Women now hold over 60% of seats in Parliament, a global benchmark for gender equity.
– Healthcare and education have expanded dramatically, reaching communities once left behind.
– Infrastructure, digital innovation, and economic growth have turned Rwanda into a model of post-conflict recovery.
Citizens across the country from farmers to students recognise that liberation was not just military, but social, economic, and deeply personal.
The Work Continues
This year’s theme, “A Step Toward Our Goals”, underscores that Rwanda’s journey is far from over. As the nation industrializes and digitizes, leaders emphasize the importance of maintaining the values that anchored its recovery: equity, justice, and inclusivity.
President Paul Kagame is expected to address the nation later today in a live broadcast, reflecting on Rwanda’s progress and the road ahead.
A Legacy to Protect
Liberation Day is more than a date it’s a reminder that freedom must be actively upheld. The gains of the past 31 years can only endure if the next generation understands the cost of division and the power of unity.
As Rwandans gather in villages across the country to celebrate, serve, and reflect, Kwibohora 31 becomes not just a commemoration, but a call to action: to shape a future worthy of the sacrifices made.
