No more Rwandan crosses borders in search for survival

By George Kalisa
Thirty years later, Rwandans living in the border districts of Gatsibo and Nyagatare formerly Umutara region – previously neglected by past regimes are no longer impelled to cross to neighbouring countries in search for survival means.
As a result of institution segregation based on ethnic lines, Umutara region was neglected, a trend and policy that negatively impacted on development and living standards of the inhabitants there.
Tangibly, service delivery was on the negative trend and largely overshadowed by divisive politics and ethnicity segregation, which define the genocide regimes. Health and education were in a sorry-state and hunger, and residents were compelled to cross to neigbouring countries to access food and other basic services including education and healthcare services.
The chronic situation prompted residents to cross to neighbouring countries in search for survival means.
Today, the region has registered fast growth of Agriculture, education, trade and health sectors. There is a Secondary school and a health centre in each sectors reinforced by grogrammes like childhood development centres (CDCs), and Community Health Workers (CHWs) in villages who work on voluntary basis.
This region is historic and symbolic to the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) and the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPA) for it’s the route Rwandans used to flee their homeland and return to it when they launched the liberation struggle after 30 years or so living as refugees in host countries.
“Earlier speakers mentioned a few things about the history of this area, as the place where people entered through to liberate our country, but I want to tell you a bit more. For some of us, we did not only return through this route, but it is the same route we used to exit, to become refugees in a neighbouring country,” said President Paul Kagame the Chairman of RPF=Inkotanyi while he was canvassing for support on July 7, 2024 in Nyagatare and Rutsiro districts.
“There was a time when people lived in a state where they were not sure of tomorrow, not sure whether they would wake up the next day or not. I want to assure you that under RPF everyone will sleep soundly and wake up the next day and the next,” Kagame added.
“You will be going to other countries to visit, at your own will, and return back home and live here. You will get all those things that you go to look for elsewhere,” he said.

Kagame said that his government will continue with the efforts aimed at improving the wellbeing of the inhabitants of this region, and noted that discrimination of Rwandans based on regions is now a thing of the past.
“The national park and the hotels it has brought, the factories, the infrastructure, all these and more will come,” Kagame said and called upon the posterity to follow in the footsteps and carry forward the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
“Always remember this history and strive to never betray the legacy you have. It is a responsibility you have,” said the President.