A total of 769 young Rwandans have completed the 16th intake of Itorero Indangamirwa at the Gabiro military training centre in Gatsibo District, concluding more than a month of civic, cultural and basic military training.

The group, comprising 454 young men and 315 young women, completed the programme on August 10, 2026, after beginning training on July 1.

Unlike an ordinary classroom programme, Indangamirwa brings together young Rwandans from different backgrounds and exposes them to lessons intended to strengthen their understanding of Rwanda, its history, culture and national values.

Participants included Rwandans living or studying abroad, students from international secondary schools, university students and outstanding participants from the 13th intake of Urugerero rw’Inkomezabigwi.

At Gabiro, they received lessons in Kinyarwanda, Rwandan cultural values and taboos, national history, discipline and patriotism.

The programme also incorporated physical and basic military exercises, including shooting, battlefield conduct and martial arts.

For some participants who have spent significant periods outside Rwanda, the experience was also an opportunity to reconnect with their country.

Uwera Agasaro, 22, who lives in the United States, said the programme strengthened her understanding of Rwandan culture and reminded her of the importance of people with different perspectives finding common ground around shared objectives.

She said one of her biggest lessons was discipline, particularly in personal conduct, physical wellbeing and relations with others.

For 18-year-old Ange Ineza, who recently completed secondary school, lessons about Rwanda’s liberation struggle changed how she understood the sacrifices that preceded the opportunities enjoyed by her generation.

She said learning more about the sacrifices made by the Inkotanyi during the liberation struggle helped her appreciate that Rwanda’s current peace and progress did not simply happen on their own.

The experience, Ineza said, also strengthened her sense of responsibility as a young Rwandan to protect the country’s achievements and contribute to its future.

Another participant, Karabaranga, who is preparing to pursue studies in Canada, said the training had reinforced the importance of discipline and preserving what previous generations have achieved.

Karabaranga said the lessons would also shape how Rwanda is represented abroad.

“Nzabera u Rwanda ambasaderi mwiza,” Karabaranga said, expressing the intention to represent Rwanda through discipline, good values and positive relations with others.

Uwiduhaye Phocas similarly said the lessons learned at Gabiro should not end with those who attended the programme.

Participants, he said, have a responsibility to share the knowledge and values acquired with other young people in their communities.

The latest graduates bring the cumulative number of young people who have undergone Indangamirwa training to 5,985.

Before the 16th intake, 5,216 participants had completed previous editions.

During the programme, participants also interacted with senior government officials and national leaders, including President Paul Kagame, as part of discussions on Rwanda’s development, leadership and the responsibilities of the younger generation.