Rwanda Independence Day – July 1

 

🇷🇼 

Rwanda Independence Day – July 1

🗓 Date:

• July 1st each year

📜 

Historical Background

:

• Rwanda was under German colonial rule from the late 19th century until World War I.

• After Germany’s defeat in WWI, Belgium took control of Rwanda and Burundi under a League of Nations mandate (later a UN Trust Territory).

• Belgian colonial rule, often administered indirectly through local chiefs, reinforced ethnic divisions and centralized power, laying groundwork for later social tensions.

📆 

Independence in 1962

:

• On July 1, 1962, Rwanda became an independent republic, ending decades of colonial rule.

• This came after years of political activism, the rise of Rwandan nationalism, and increasing pressure on Belgium to grant autonomy to its African colonies.

• The monarchy (the Tutsi king or Mwami) was abolished in 1961 following a referendum. Rwanda became a republic with Grégoire Kayibanda as its first president.

---

🎉 

How Independence Day Is Observed

:

• It is a public holiday, often marked with:

  • National addresses by government officials

  • Reflection on Rwanda’s colonial history and national progress

  • Sometimes smaller public events or discussions

• However, unlike Liberation Day (July 4), which is more widely celebrated with parades and large national events, Independence Day tends to be more subdued, especially in recent years.

---

⚖️ 

Context in Modern Rwanda

:

• Since the 1994 genocide and the subsequent rise of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Liberation Day (July 4) has become the more central national holiday.

• Independence Day is still officially recognized, but it is not emphasized to the same degree, partly because post-independence governments in the 1960s–1990s were marked by ethnic division, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses.

---

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• July 1, 1962 marks Rwanda’s official transition to an independent nation.

• It is a day to remember the end of colonialism, but in today’s Rwanda, it is balanced with a deeper focus on the meaning of true liberation (July 4).

• The holiday invites reflection on Rwanda’s complex history and journey toward sovereignty and unity.

   

  https://youtu.be/sscT_LVcocY?si=GsCbjaf_j5HadNKi 

The 8-Hour Package Pickup Process

June 30, 2025

Today was a long and exhausting day — an ordeal that took nearly eight hours from start to finish.

It all began around 10 a.m., when we headed to the DHL office to pick up the required documents needed to retrieve our package being held in the RwandAir Cargo warehouse. The office was busy, and we waited about 40 minutes before finally receiving the paperwork.

From there, we drove to the airport. It was my first time visiting since arriving in Kigali, and I hadn’t realized how tight the security would be — more like entering a military base than a commercial terminal. After getting through security and parking, we headed to the access control office to apply for a security badge that would grant us entry into the cargo zone.

That’s when the trouble really began.

The online application form was poorly designed. Every time we clicked “submit,” the page just reset to a blank form. We couldn’t tell if the application had been sent successfully or not — it hadn’t. The office never received it. On top of that, we learned that only my wife would be allowed access because the package was in her name. I wasn’t permitted to accompany her.

Thankfully, someone at the access control office offered to help us manually process the application. Once that was completed, he showed us the window for the RwandAir Cargo access office — but they were out to lunch, with no indication of when they’d return. The man helping us exchanged numbers with us and promised to call once they came back.

By now, we were both getting hungry. Breakfast had been light — just a banana, a croissant, and coffee. For lunch, we managed to find a muffin and a bottle of water to tide us over while waiting at the airport. After an hour of silence, we gave up and went to a café for coffee. Still nothing.

My wife eventually called the man, only to learn he had gone on his own lunch break. She went alone to meet him and talk with the official who could grant her access to the package. I waited at the café a while longer, then moved to the car, thinking it wouldn’t take much longer. I was wrong.

The invoice and inventory list, which customs required for processing, was attached to the package itself. That meant my wife had to go through security again to access the package, retrieve the paperwork, and then head to the customs and tax office. There, she had to sort out the import fees, return through security again to the cargo area, wait for assistance with the package, fill out even more documents to authorize bringing the car closer to the warehouse, load the package into the car, and return the security badge.

At last, with the package secured, we paid for airport parking — only to have the exit gate refuse to open. In the time it took to get from the payment machine to the gate, the parking time had ticked over, and we had to pay an additional fee just to leave.

We were completely drained, but still had one final stop at my wife’s office to take care of a quick work matter before heading home.

Neither of us had the energy to cook, so we ordered from Vuba Vuba — Rwanda’s version of Uber Eats. We chose our go-to comfort food: fried chicken and fried rice from Kimchi Bapsang. While waiting for the delivery, we cracked open a couple of Virunga Mist beers, sat back, and finally began to unwind.

What a day it had been.

Fika Café & Niyo Arts Center

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Today was the kind of day we needed—slow, easy, and full of small discoveries. We started the morning at home. My wife caught up on some work while I tackled the laundry after breakfast. With no real agenda, we decided to head out for the afternoon and enjoy a bit more of what Kigali has to offer.

Our first stop was Simba Supermarket at the Simba Center, one of the go-to grocery stores in Kigali for both locals and expats. It’s a familiar, well-stocked spot with a mix of imported goods and local staples. After picking up a few essentials, I practiced driving around Kigali—a skill I’m slowly getting more comfortable with.

To give me more practice behind the wheel, we decided to head across town for lunch at Fika Café, a cozy, modern café tucked away in a peaceful corner of Kigali. The name “fika” comes from the Swedish tradition of taking a break for coffee and a snack, and the café lives up to that concept—warm, inviting, and full of character.

I ordered a café latte and fish and chips, while my wife went with the vegetable soup, shakshouka, and a cold Mutzig, a popular Rwandan beer brewed by Bralirwa. Since I was the designated driver, I stuck to coffee. As is common in many Rwandan cafés, the drinks arrived quickly, but the food took about an hour—a typical wait here, where meals are made fresh and time moves at a gentler pace. It’s worth the wait. The fish was crisp, the coffee smooth, and the shakshouka—an egg and tomato dish with North African roots—was flavorful and comforting.

One of the things we love about Fika is its blend of café and creativity. Inside, there’s an open space where local artisans and artists display handmade crafts, paintings, and jewelry. It’s more than a place to eat—it’s a small celebration of Rwandan art and entrepreneurship.

After lunch, we made a spontaneous stop at the nearby Niyo Arts Center in the Kacyiru neighborhood. Founded by artist and humanitarian Pacifique Niyonsenga, the center is both a gallery and a social impact hub. It provides underprivileged children with access to education and art programs, while showcasing work from emerging Rwandan artists. The colors, textures, and themes in the pieces we saw were both powerful and deeply connected to Rwandan identity, history, and resilience. It’s a place that radiates hope and creativity.

We returned home in the late afternoon, ready for a nap and some well-earned rest. It was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday—exploring art, savoring food, and soaking in the laid-back rhythm of Kigali life.

German Butchery

6/28/2025

This morning, the person repairing the window screens at our house came by to finish the job. It was nice to get that taken care of at last—no more buzzing intruders or midnight mosquito raids.

In the afternoon, my wife and I went out for lunch at the German Butchery—a well-known and beloved institution here in Kigali, Rwanda. Open since 2013, the German Butchery has built a reputation for top-notch meats, homemade sausages, and a deli counter that would make even the most die-hard vegetarians pause in admiration. It’s run by a German-Rwandan couple who’ve masterfully combined Bavarian butchering standards with local flavors and hospitality. Over the years, it’s become a go-to spot not just for expats craving a taste of home, but for locals who appreciate quality and consistency.

I ordered the curry sausage with chips and a fresh salad, paired with an ice-cold Mützig beer—because sometimes, life calls for a little indulgence. My wife went for the sliced beef stroganoff, which was rich, tender, and full of flavor. She nodded approvingly after the first bite, which is her version of a standing ovation.

After our meal, we stocked up on a generous selection of meats—sausages, steaks, deli slices, and probably enough bacon to get suspicious looks at customs (if we were traveling, which we’re not). My wife, who has made it very clear she does not trust the mystery cuts at the local supermarket—“What part of the cow is this supposed to be?!”—insists on buying all our meat exclusively from the German Butchery. Honestly, I’m pretty sure she’d rather become a vegetarian than buy meat from anywhere else. If the apocalypse comes and the Butchery ever closes, she’s going to start raising chickens and cattle in our backyard.

Thankfully, traffic wasn’t too bad today, so the drive back home was smooth. The rest of the afternoon was quiet—we just relaxed and took it easy. All in all, a simple but very satisfying day, seasoned with good food, a little laughter, and the comforting sound of properly repaired window screens.

Water Tank Leak

Date: June 23, 2025

This morning started off with a bit of chaos. After waking up, my wife tried to take a shower, only to find that the hot water was barely trickling out. She left for work thinking it was just a temporary issue, but I soon heard the unmistakable sound of water running down the rain gutters—even though it wasn’t raining.

Curious and a bit concerned, I went up to the upper balcony to switch off the hot water heater. That’s when I saw it—water gushing down from the roof. I grabbed a ladder, climbed up, and found water pouring out of the hot water tank. It had clearly been leaking for a while, though we have no idea how long.

Just as I discovered the leak, my wife called. The landlord had contacted her because the Vision City plumber had informed her of the situation. She’d already arranged for someone to come fix it as soon as possible.

Before our usual plumber could arrive, the Vision City plumber showed up (after I called the number my wife gave me). He quickly shut off the water valve to stop the leak temporarily. Upon inspecting the tank, he found that one of the hoses had simply come loose due to age and wear. He left to buy replacement hoses and later returned to fix everything.

Now that the leak is stopped and the tank repaired, I’m left wondering just how much water we lost—and what that will mean for our water bill this month. Fingers crossed that this is the last major issue with the house for a while. One crisis a day is more than enough!

New Car, New Challenge

 6/20/2025

Today, we got our new car—bringing us to a total of two. One is strictly for official business use, while the second is for personal errands and everyday driving. Since I’m not permitted to drive the business vehicle, I hadn’t been able to get around Kigali on my own until now.

Honestly, I wasn’t ready to dive into driving here yet, but I didn’t have much of a choice. So, I just got in and went for it. Navigating through the chaotic streets—where cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians weave unpredictably—was stressful, to say the least. But I was proud of myself for managing to get to my destination without incident.

After picking up the car, we headed straight to a repair and maintenance shop to have front and rear cameras with sensors installed for added safety. While the installation was underway, we went to a nearby café for lunch. We underestimated how long the installation would take—thinking it would be done quickly—but the staff told us it might take until the next day.

We had already dropped off the business car at home, so with only one car between us, we had to choose between walking or taking a taxi. Since the distance wasn’t too far, we decided to walk—though it turned out to be a lot of uphill trekking. When we finally got home, we rested for a bit, only to receive a call informing us that the camera installation was already complete and the car was ready for pickup.

We drove to retrieve the car and then stopped by Simba Center supermarket to pick up some groceries. My wife had an errand to collect fresh eggs from a friend who raises chickens, so I drove home alone from the supermarket. On the way back, I nearly got stuck because the police were preparing to block the roads for the President or a member of his family to pass. Luckily, I made it home just in time and avoided a long wait.

All in all, a busy and challenging day—but one that marked a small victory in my journey of adapting to life here.

Scammed in Rwanda

 

6/13/2025

Friday the 13th, 2025 — a day that started out with happiness but quickly turned into a hard lesson. I had just returned home from the immigration office, where my visa status had been approved. I was genuinely happy and relieved. After dropping me off, my wife headed to work, and I settled in at the house.

Not long after, I received a phone call from an unknown number. I thought it might be related to immigration, or possibly something the landlord had arranged regarding the maintenance requests we’d made. Instead, it was a man who introduced himself as Joseph. He claimed he had accidentally sent money to my number via MoMo Pay and asked me to return it. He said he would involve MTN, the local cell service provider.

Immediately after that, I got another call — this time from someone claiming to be an MTN representative. Everything was confusing. I’m still very new here, and I don’t fully understand how the MoMo Pay system works. Caught off guard and unsure of what to do, I followed the instructions the caller gave me. In my panic and confusion, I ended up sending money to them twice, until my account was nearly empty. Only 50 cents remained.

The emotional swing was brutal. From the high of my visa approval, I plummeted into a state of shock, shame, and anger. I felt utterly deceived, humiliated, and drained — both financially and emotionally. The rest of the day was difficult, and even now, I still feel bad about what happened.

But I’ve learned a hard lesson. Scams like this can happen quickly and unexpectedly, especially when you’re in a new country and still trying to understand how things work. From now on, I will be much more cautious. I won’t let this define my time here, but I won’t forget it either.

6/7/2025

6/7/2025

Today we went on a safari in the Akagera National Park in Rwanda. It was a very long day of driving from Kigali to the park and back, but it was definitely worth it. 

 

We saw quite a few different animals while we were there, including buffalo, egrets, greater blue-eared starlings, Egyptian geese, mice, mongooses, cobras, giraffes, impalas, topi, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, black rhinos, red-necked spurfowl, butterflies, and more. It was the experience of a lifetime. 

 

Afterward, we stopped by the German Butchery for dinner before returning home for the evening.

6/6/2025

6/6/2025

The weather has been overcast and a bit rainy lately. Apparently, our hot water tank is solar-powered to heat the water. My wife and I were both surprised to find that we were taking a cold shower yesterday with no hot water. 

 

Same situation this morning too. I contacted the landlord to see what could be done about it, and she said that the solar panel technician could come and install a switch to switch it to electricity instead of solar while we are taking a shower. 

 

I'm having the technician work on that today. If all goes well, hopefully tomorrow we will finally be able to have a shower with hot water again.

6/3/2025

6/3/2025

Today I dealt with all of the people coming and going to repair and fix issues around the house some more. In the evening the gardener showed up with some planters and new plants to swap out the old ones, some of which were broken. 

 

Finally managed to find an opportunity to talk to my parents and check in with them on how things are going since I got here. My wife had dinner with someone visiting on a business trip and later brought home some food from the restaurant for me. It was some kind of goat shishkabob. Quite delicious actually. Very different taste than the goat in Okinawa.

6/2/2025

6/2/2025

 

Today I dealt with all of the people coming and going to repair and fix issues around the house. Nobody comes on time here, they just kinda show up whenever they can show up. 

 

It was interesting to see how they do some of the things here compared to back home. Got the A/C in the bedroom fixed to work better, fixed the bathroom faucet, and the front gate was fixed so it opens and closes properly. 

 

My wife managed to find some time to go shopping in the afternoon on a break from work to pick up a new coffee machine, hot water heater pot, and water dispenser, so we won’t have to keep buying water bottles as often. After work we went to the Simba Center to go shopping for some food and drinks, but also ended up exploring what else was there. 

 

We discovered a really fancy restaurant up on the roof we were not dressed for, but will definitely consider going to for an anniversary or birthday or something to celebrate sometime. We also ended up finding a sandwich shop called Bunz where we decided to try it and got it to go for our dinner. By the time we were done with dinner, my wife and I were both exhausted from our day and decided it was time to go to bed.

 

6/1/2025

6/1/2025

Today we continued to unpack and move into the new home. I’m still feeling a little bit under the weather so, we got some medicine at a pharmacy that helped a little bit. 

 

Really hope I start to feel better soon. My fever has been up and down for 4 days now. On the lower side but not gone.