Rwanda: Where the Mukotanyi brought a new Meaning

Rwanda Defense Forces in Army week 2017 (Photo:Ministry of Defence)

Mukotanyi:  is a Kinyarwanda word that was born from Inkotanyi. The word mukotanyi refers to mean a military uniform that was used by the Rwanda Patriotic Army, a rebel movement that often was referred simply to as -Inkotanyi. Etymologically, Inkotanyi means invincible or literary meaning those who conduct hard actions together for a 
supreme cause. 
 

Our forefathers fought wars of conquest to expand Rwanda. 28 years since RPA rebellions launched armed struggle in 1990 to overthrow General Juvenal Habyarimana and his Ethnic biased Mouvement  Revolutionnaire Nationale  pour la Developement ( MRND) on power. The war ended and now, the country ‘army is a world role model in peacekeeping missions.

In 2018, 24 years after the ruling party, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) took power and ended the genocide. Rebellions that were led by late Gisa Fred Rwigema then President Paul Kagame defeated the ex-FAR that carried out the 1994 Genocide that took lives of a million of Men, women and children Tutsis. So far, their bravery made Rwanda, the country in which people walk day and night without fearing their security. 

Former rebellions now, Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) took power and ended the genocide. The liberation war ended, Rwanda is ranked the 9th world safest country ahead of Partugal and Spain according to The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017  that was published by World Economic Forum. 

The liberation war once fought by bullets has now a new face.  Currently and now RDF aims at fighting poverty, diseases, ignorance, hunger and lack of shelter for the vulnerable members of the population. 

Former rebellions now, Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) took power and ended the genocide. Rwanda is ranked the 9^th world safest country according to The Gallup Global Law and Order 2015 Report. 

The liberation war once fought by bullets has now a new face.  Currently RDF aims at fighting poverty, diseases, ignorance, hunger and lack of shelter for the vulnerable members of the population. 

In my childhood, the population perception about soldiers was to someone who kills and beat civilians. That time, anytime I saw a soldier I would always choose to run away- fearing for my life, thinking he comes to beat or kill me. 

But today, Rwanda’s army has changed that understanding about soldiers into a new exemplary person to emulate.  Besides their difficult responsibility in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the RDF participates in activities contributing to national development through its Army week’s activity.

Army week activities include building bridge and feeder roads, environmental conservation actions, cleaning neighborhoods, fighting soil erosion, assisting vulnerable groups and others. 

The RDF participates in these activities partnering the ordinary citizens. The idea that was conceived by the RDF leadership as a series of practical and high value socio-economic activities now resulted into roads, medical outreach and houses built by to improve welfare of Rwandan society.

As we prepare to celebrate the 24^th July 2017 liberation day; the RDF soldiers who would have looked like a killer, an animal when I was a kid, are no longer like that. They are my friends, my hero- I wouldn’t pass by without saying ’hello!’- while I used to run fearing for my life.