{"id":57039,"date":"2026-02-01T12:21:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T12:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/president-kagame-first-lady-jeannette-honour-rwanda-s-heroes-on-32nd-heroes-day\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T15:31:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:31:16","slug":"president-kagame-first-lady-jeannette-honour-rwanda-s-heroes-on-32nd-heroes-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/president-kagame-first-lady-jeannette-honour-rwanda-s-heroes-on-32nd-heroes-day\/","title":{"rendered":"President Kagame, First Lady Jeannette honour Rwanda\u2019s heroes on 32nd Heroes Day (Photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, Senate President Fran\u00e7ois-Xavier Kalinda, Chief Justice Domitille Makantaganzwa, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Gertrude Kazarwa, and other dignitaries.<\/p>\n<p>President Kagame and the First Lady were the first to lay wreaths at the memorial, followed by the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Rwanda, Prof. Charity Manyeruke, representing the diplomatic community in Rwanda. The couple observed a moment of silence at the memorial to honour the sacrifices of Rwanda\u2019s heroes. <\/p>\n<p>After the event, they proceeded to the Kigali Convention Center for a thanksgiving prayer breakfast, organised by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship.<\/p>\n<p>{{Rwanda&#8217;s heroes<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>Rwanda\u2019s national heroes are recognised in three categories: Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.<\/p>\n<p>The Imanzi category honours the highest-ranking heroes, including an Unknown Soldier, representing all who gave their lives in battle, and Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema, who led the Rwandan Patriotic Front at the start of the liberation struggle in October 1990.<\/p>\n<p>The Imena category includes heroes such as King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Michel Rwagasana, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, F\u00e9licit\u00e9 Niyitegeka, and the Nyange Secondary School students, recognised for their extraordinary service and sacrifice.<\/p>\n<p>The Ingenzi category currently has no officially listed heroes, although the National Heroes, Medals, and Decorations Office (CHENO) is reviewing over 30 living individuals to potentially recognise them as national heroes or award them national honors.<\/p>\n<p>The ceremony marked a solemn moment of remembrance and celebration of the courage, sacrifice, and contributions of Rwanda\u2019s heroes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101417 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/haeahbxxcaamrnm.jpg\" alt=\"President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame paid tribute to Rwanda\u2019s heroes by laying wreaths at the National Heroes Memorial in Remera, Kigali City, on Sunday, February 1, 2026.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101423 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pk-20.jpg\" alt=\"The couple observed a moment of silence at the memorial to honour the sacrifices of Rwanda\u2019s heroes. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101415 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/haeaq7lwqaezdkl.jpg\" alt=\"The ceremony was attended by senior government officials.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101419 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/haeaobmxuaa9s2r-2.jpg\" alt=\" The officials included Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, Senate President Fran\u00e7ois-Xavier Kalinda, Chief Justice Domitille Makantaganzwa, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Gertrude Kazarwa, and other dignitaries.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101416 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/haeak6cxqaaidb-.jpg\" alt=\"The ceremony marked a solemn moment of remembrance and celebration of the courage, sacrifice, and contributions of Rwanda\u2019s heroes.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101422 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pk2-5.jpg\" alt=\"The ceremony took place at the National Heroes Memorial in Remera, Kigali City, during the 32nd National Heroes Day commemoration.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101420 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-01_at_11.10_40-317ff.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101421 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-01_at_11.10_42-d2c37.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Sunday, February 1, 2026, paid tribute to Rwanda\u2019s heroes by laying wreaths at the National Heroes Memorial in Remera, Kigali City, during the 32nd National Heroes Day commemoration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000101418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-57039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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