Turkey: Rwandans celebrate 32 years of Rwanda's liberation through various games

The event took place on 18 July 2026 in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

The event was marked by various games and talks on the journey of Rwanda's liberation as well as joy expressed in dance and songs, with a special emphasis on the role of the youth in preserving what has been achieved.

Liberation Day is usually celebrated on July 4, but this year its activities in Turkey were postponed to July 18 due to various international conferences held in Ankara at that time, which caused the activities of many embassies to temporarily change dates.

The event included a cycling race, a walking race, a ping pong (table tennis) competition, discussions on the history of the Rwandan liberation struggle, and a concert featuring songs that characterized the liberation struggle.

The winners of some of the various competitions received various awards. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

In the cycling race, Umut Akçaoğlu from Turkey came first, followed by Camille Niyonkuru who came second and Pascal Nshuti who came third. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

In the running race, Lea Mujawimana came first, followed by Rulisa Briella and Laurence Uwonkunda Kayitare. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

In the table tennis match, the Rwandan Ambassador to Turkey, Lt. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

Gen. (Rtd) Charles Kayonga, won first place, followed by Nicole Cyuzuzo. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

There was also a panel discussion moderated by the Rwandan Ambassador to Turkey, Lt. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

Gen. (Rtd) Charles Kayonga, together with the Military Attaché, Col. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

Jean Paul Rulisa, Capt. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

Claudette Nishimwe, and Murenzi Lucas, Commercial Affairs Officer at the Rwandan Embassy in Turkey, as well as Dr. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

Faustin Hategekimana. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

The discussions focused on the journey of Rwanda’s liberation, emphasizing the courage and dedication of the young men and women who were members of the former RPA in the struggle to liberate the country and stop the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

They also highlighted their role in rebuilding the country and the opportunities that today’s youth have enjoyed due to the leadership that promoted unity and reconciliation after the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Gen. (Rtd) Charles Kayonga explained that the liberation struggle went through various stages, including the one that ended on July 4, 1994, when the RPA defeated the regime that had planned and implemented the Genocide against the Tutsi.

He stressed that although the armed conflict ended 32 years ago, Rwanda continues to struggle to rebuild the country, develop the economy and continue changes aimed at improving the quality of life and sustainable development.

Gen. (Rtd) Charles Kayonga urged the participants of this ceremony to always remember the lessons of history that led Rwanda to the Genocide against the Tutsi, pointing out that politics based on any kind of discrimination can lead the country to disaster.

He recalled that the 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda abolished all forms of discrimination, including ethnic discrimination and divisive ideology.

He continued by saying that good governance has enabled today's youth to grow up in Rwanda in peace, unity and progress. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

He urged them to strive to preserve what the country has achieved and to reject divisive ideologies that continue to create insecurity and violate the rights of citizens in some parts of the region.

Also during this ceremony, Rwandan students who completed their studies at various universities in Turkey were commended for their efforts and good academic performance.

They were encouraged to continue to be exemplary and use the knowledge they have gained to develop Rwanda. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

The youth were encouraged to continue to dedicate themselves and contribute to the development of the country. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

The event concluded with a concert featuring songs and dances that hark back to the history of the liberation struggle, as part of the celebration of 32 years of Rwanda's liberation.