Our Story
Who we are
Historical Background
Since 1959, Rwanda experienced what the lack of unity can cost a nation. Rwanda went through a dark past of bad governance characterized by political upheavals, a series of forced exiles, internal displacements, nepotism based on ethnic and regional divisions, and other forms of social injustice. This culminated into the horrific Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, which claimed more than a million innocent lives in the whole country. The Rwanda Patriotic Front through its military wing, Rwanda Patriotic Army, led by His Excellency Paul Kagame, stopped the Genocide. His leadership has set a national vision with a focus on transforming and rebuilding the nation.
Since 1994, the country has undergone a process of reconciliation and reconstruction of its torn socio economic fabric. This was enabled by a leadership that had made a choice to put in place a Government of National Unity and to implement policies that enshrined in its activities the promotion of unity among Rwandans as a priority. For the first time in the history of Rwanda, the Cabinet that was put in place was inclusive and diverse, composed of men and women who had been in the country, former refugees from different countries, survivors of the Genocide, and other Rwandans irrespective of their social and political backgrounds.
The Government of National Unity was faced with insurmountable challenges. More than one million lives perished during the Genocide leaving behind hundreds of thousands of orphans, widows and widowers, some of whose families were decimated, women raped and multi-wounded and many other casualties. Infrastructure had been destroyed, over four million refugees had to be repatriated, resettled and rehabilitated, while security and rule of law had to be restored and maintained.
Realizing that spouses had a significant role to play in supporting the leadership to attain its vision of national unity, in 1996, Her Excellency Jeannette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda brought together spouses of male Cabinet members and women Cabinet members with the aim of promoting cohesion among themselves and work together to enhance unity and peace in the country; hence the birth of Unity Club Intwararumuri as torch bearer.
Since 1959, Rwanda experienced what the lack of unity can cost a nation. Rwanda went through a dark past of bad governance characterized by political upheavals, a series of forced exiles, internal displacements, nepotism based on ethnic and regional divisions, and other forms of social injustice. This culminated into the horrific Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, which claimed more than a million innocent lives in the whole country. The Rwanda Patriotic Front through its military wing, Rwanda Patriotic Army, led by His Excellency Paul Kagame, stopped the Genocide. His leadership has set a national vision with a focus on transforming and rebuilding the nation.
Membership
In 1996, Her Excellency Jeannette KAGAME, the First Lady of Rwanda brought together spouses of male Cabinet members and women Cabinet members with the aim of promoting cohesion among themselves, work together to enhance unity and peace while contributing to the socio-economic development of the Country; hence the birth of Unity Club Intwararumuri as torch bearer.
On 8th March 2007, marking Unity Club 10th Anniversary milestone, Unity Club extended its membership to include effective associate members (Male) composed of spouses of effective members (Female). Unity Club membership grows each time there is a Cabinet reshuffle, and this gives an opportunity to all its members to remain engaged in the socio-economic transformation of the country – “Once a member always a member.”, one of the Principles and Philosophy of Unity Club.
Members
336
Effective Members (Female)
176
Associate (Male)
160
Vision
To become a positive influence in creating a society that lives in peace and harmony, and contributes actively towards Rwanda’s development goals.
Mission
To play a catalytic role through identified activities in enhancing unity and peace as the foundation for sustainable development
Our Philosophy and Principles
Unity Club embraces inclusiveness from tapping into existing diversity of its members and extends it to its programs;
The feeling of togetherness in leadership facilitates operating towards a common goal;
A powerful tool for creating cohesion, especially in a society that has been divided as such; Unity Club Intwararumuri creates space for dialogue among its members, leaders from political, religious and civil society, youth and citizens at large. This has contributed immensely to the reconciliation process the country has embarked in from 1994;
The uniqueness of Unity Club Intwararumuri is “once a member, always a member”. The continuity contributes to strengthening relationships and collaboration among members and promotes responsibility and accountability beyond office.
Members of Unity Club Intwararumuri strive to become good examples in nation building and mentors to young and future leaders;
The catalytic role of Unity Club is to bring about sustainable change by implementing activities that create ripple effect in collaboration with other stakeholders;
Engaging spouses of Cabinet Members has proven to influence a better understanding and ownership of government policies
Partners
