Rwanda celebrates Patriotism Day on October 1st. On that day, in 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front officially began its fight to allow Rwandans everywhere to return to their country. By this time, waves of Tutsis and moderate Hutus had fled the country to settle as close as Uganda and as far away as France and the United States. The RPF was the creation of these displaced Rwandans and even some Ugandans who supported their cause, headed by Paul Kagame.
The RPF struggled to return to Rwanda from southern Uganda and participate in politics as a legal political party, but soon realized that the government at the time, under the guidance of President Habyarimana, would never allow them to return. After 1991, the RPF’s main goal was to capture the country and liberalize the government.
This goal was finally realized after 4 years of fighting. Although many Hutus at the time left the country in fear of reprisals carried out by the RPF, the current government of Rwanda has worked consistently to bring them back to their home country, emphasizing the acceptance of all Rwandans. Millions of Hutus who fled that year have been brought back home, with the cooperation of the government of the DRC, and Tutsis and moderate Hutus in exile have also returned to their country.
Today in Rwanda, President Kagame praises the accomplishments of the new government in his Patriotism Day speeches. He shows pride in the country’s newfound security and decentralization of politics, allowing ordinary Rwandans to enter the political process to have their voices heard. Kagame consistently emphasizes reconciliation through justice for all and the unity of all Rwandans. The international community is even noted in his speeches for their support for Rwanda and its improvement.
On Patriotism Day, Rwanda celebrates the return of its people. It celebrates the fact that, from all parts of the world, Rwandans kept the love of their homeland alive in their hearts. From the DRC, from Europe and from the Americas, the allure of Rwanda’s beautiful hills and hard-working people brought her citizens home.
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