The High Commission of Rwanda to the UK alongside the National and West Midlands Rwandan Community Associations, on July 29, hosted a celebration to mark the 29th liberation anniversary (Kwibohora29) in Coventry, a city in the West Midlands region of the UK.

Over 600 Rwandans, the Lord Mayor and local officials of Coventry, and scores of friends of Rwanda journeyed to Coventry from all across the UK.

The day kicked off with a Liberation Day Cup football match, with the London Rwandan Community (Intwari FC) taking on the hosts, the West Midlands Rwandan Community (Ntugasaze FC). The match ended in a 3-2 victory for the London community, who took home the liberation cup trophy.

The High Commissioner of Rwanda to the UK, Johnston Busingye, commended both teams, adding that “the real winner is the Rwandan community.”

The community pledged to ensure the match becomes an annual liberation tradition to further strengthen the close bonds between Rwandan communities in the UK.

During the evening reception, the audience were treated to speeches, traditional dance performances, poetry from the youth, as well as fine Rwandan cuisine.

Busingye reminded them that they stand on the shoulders of giants, departed and living, emphasizing that they should always honour the men and women who laid down their lives to liberate Rwanda by remaining committed to the cause of liberation.

“Unity is the foundation of our liberation, now and in the future, because we know the price Rwanda paid for divisionism,” he said.

He noted that Rwandan communities abroad played, and still play, a key role in our ongoing liberation.

“In each phase of liberation,” he continued, “there is a role for communities abroad. Take up that role with the same determination as ever before. Whether this is by investing in Rwanda, by leading in your community, by getting youth involved or simply by embodying Rwandan values.”