Rwanda Liberation Day - Kwibohora

 Journal Entry – July 4, 2025

Liberation Day – Kwibohora 31

Today marks 31 years since the liberation of Rwanda—a day that forever changed the course of this nation. On July 4, 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Army brought the genocide against the Tutsi to an end by capturing Kigali and halting the 100 days of horror that claimed over 800,000 lives.

It’s hard to put into words the weight of this day. Liberation Day—or Kwibohora, as it is known in Kinyarwanda—represents more than the end of violence. It is a reminder of the resilience of a people who refused to let hatred define their future. It stands for rebuilding from ashes, for choosing unity over division, and for daring to imagine a new Rwanda rooted in dignity, inclusion, and peace.

Across the country today, the Rwandan flag flies high. Ceremonies, speeches, and cultural events honor those who lost their lives, those who fought for liberation, and those who continue to build a brighter Rwanda. For many, it’s a solemn day of remembrance. For others, it’s a celebration of progress—the schools built, roads paved, lives restored.

As someone living here, I find myself both humbled and inspired. Rwanda’s journey is a powerful testament to what is possible when a nation confronts its past with honesty and walks into the future with purpose.

Liberation is not a moment—it is a process. And each year on July 4, the people of Rwanda renew their commitment to justice, to reconciliation, and to a shared national identity that refuses to be broken.

Kwibohora n’uguhitamo icyiza – Liberation is choosing what is good.

https://youtu.be/sscT_LVcocY?si=-3ay8TXxu732STOn