Rwandan author Judence Kayitesi has commended the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) for encouraging Rwandans to document and discuss the country’s history, saying understanding the past is essential to strengthening unity and resilience among Rwandans. Kayitesi made the remarks on September 3, 2026, during a discussion about her book, Guharanira Ubumwe ( The Unity Quest ), held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi. Written in Kinyarwanda, the book focuses on preserving Rwanda’s history, promoting unity and helping young people understand the country’s past whil

Rwandan author Judence Kayitesi has commended the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) for encouraging Rwandans to document and discuss the country’s history, saying understanding the past is essential to strengthening unity and resilience among Rwandans. Kayitesi made the remarks on September 3, 2026, during a discussion about her book,

Guharanira Ubumwe

(

The Unity Quest

), held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi. Written in Kinyarwanda, the book focuses on preserving Rwanda’s history, promoting unity and helping young people understand the country’s past while drawing lessons that can contribute to building a better future. During the discussion, Kayitesi thanked MINUBUMWE for creating opportunities for Rwandans to reflect on their history and engage in conversations about unity and resilience. “I thank MINUBUMWE for continuing to encourage us to write our history, the true history, and for giving us an opportunity like this to discuss the unity and resilience of Rwandans,” she said. Kayitesi also called on parents to take an active role in teaching their children about Rwanda’s history and helping them distinguish between teachings that contribute to their development and those that can be harmful. “Through this book, I encourage parents to talk to their children about Rwanda’s history and teachings that build them, while protecting them from those that destroy them,” she said. Kayitesi is an established Rwandan author whose work has explored themes including history, humanity, resilience and the country’s journey toward a better future.

MINUBUMWE calls for evidence-based historical accounts

Djamali Habimana, a research officer at MINUBUMWE, also emphasized the responsibility of Rwandans to continue documenting the country’s history using credible evidence and testimonies. He said it is important for younger generations to understand Rwanda’s journey so they can build on that knowledge to promote unity and resilience. “We have a responsibility to continue writing our history, based on concrete evidence and testimonies,” Habimana said. He further urged continued efforts to explain Rwanda’s history to young people so they can understand where the country came from, where it stands today and where it is headed. “Let us continue explaining to young people the journey Rwanda has gone through to this day, in order to build unity and resilience among Rwandans,” he said. Habimana added that preserving national values and putting citizens at the centre of national development should remain part of these efforts.

A call for unity and shared responsibility

Following the event, Kayitesi thanked everyone who attended the discussion, saying she was pleased by the audience’s participation and willingness to engage in conversations about unity, reconciliation and Rwanda’s future. In a message shared on X, she expressed gratitude to those who attended, listened and contributed their ideas during the discussion. She stressed that building and preserving unity is a responsibility shared by every Rwandan. “Unity requires commitment, and each of us has a role to play in building it,” she said. The discussion around

Guharanira Ubumwe

brought together literature, history and messages promoting unity, with a particular focus on ensuring that Rwanda’s history continues to be taught and discussed, especially among young people. The book, published in Kinyarwanda, is also known in English as

The Unity Quest

. According to Kayitesi, it is primarily intended for young people but carries broader lessons on the importance of unity, mutual respect and building a better future.

A little more informed. A little more connected.