Millions of Rwandans come together on the last Saturday of each month to improve their communities. The program is called Umuganda, which means ‘coming together in common purpose’ in Kinyarwanda. This programme reflects Rwanda’s commitment to unity and reconciliation efforts and demonstrates a shared purpose of building a brighter future together.
Umuganda typically begins at 8am, at which time the community meets to work on a project. This might be building a road, rehabilitating wetlands, fixing erosion, or building houses for vulnerable people. This is followed by a community meeting to discuss national and local issues. You can learn more about Umuganda at www.rwandapedia.rw.
This year, there will be a Special Umuganda on Saturday, 30 March 2024, across Rwanda and the world. It is part of a series of activities leading up to the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda (Kwibuka30).
In Rwanda, Umuganda will focus on planting one million trees to honour the memory of victims of the Genocide and as a gift to future generations.
If you are not in Rwanda, you can still be part of Umuganda by planting trees, helping vulnerable people in your area, engaging in community projects, or safeguarding your local environment.
Come together to improve the world around us—whether it’s in your street, town, or country. Any last Saturday of any month during the commemoration period is suitable. In Rwanda, the commemoration period spans 100 days from 7 April to 4 July – hence, 27 April, 25 May, or 29 June would all be suitable dates.
